Cigarette Co. Names King To Board
08/26/99
Philip Morris Companies Inc. announced Wednesday that Billie Jean King, one of the most celebrated tennis players in history, has been elected to its board of directors.
King, 55, and Philip Morris were both involved with the formation of the Virginia Slims Tennis Tour in 1970, which was the birth of women's professional tennis.
Ms. King, who won 39 Grand Slam titles during her illustrious career, also serves on the boards of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the National AIDS Fund.
Philip Morris is the world's largest cigarette company, with 1998 revenues of $74 billion. Its subsidiaries include Kraft Foods Inc. and Miller Brewing Co.
King's selection increased the size of the Philip Morris board to 16 from 15.