Althea Gibson date of birth:
August 25, 1927
How old was Althea Gibson when died?
76
Where was Althea Gibson born?
Silver, SC
When did Althea Gibson die?
September 28, 2003
Where did Althea Gibson die?
East Orange, NJ
Why did Althea Gibson die?
Circulatory failure
How tall is Althea Gibson?
5' 11" (180 cm)
Althea Gibson body shape:
Athletic
What color are Althea Gibson's eyes?
Brown - Dark
What color is Althea Gibson's hair?
Black
Is Althea Gibson gay or straight?
Straight
What is Althea Gibson's ethnicity?
Multiracial
What is Althea Gibson nationality?
American
Where did Althea Gibson go to university?
Florida A&M; University, FL
What is Althea Gibson's occupation?
Tennis player
Althea Gibson claim to fame:
first African-American woman to win a Grand Slam title in 1956
Short Biography
Althea Gibson (August 25, 1927 – September 28, 2003) was an American tennis player and professional golfer, and the first black athlete to cross the color line of international tennis. In 1956, she became the first person of color to win a Grand Slam title (the French Open). The following year she won both Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals (precursor of the U.S. Open), then won both again in 1958, and was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in both years. In all, she won 11 Grand Slam tournaments, including six doubles titles, and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame. "She is one of the greatest players who ever lived, " said Robert Ryland, a tennis contemporary and former coach of Venus and Serena Williams. "Martina couldn't touch her. I think she'd beat the Williams sisters." In the early 1960s she also became the first black player to compete on the women's professional golf tour.