Here’s everything you need to know about the relationship history of Tennis icon Martina Navratilova and if she is gay?
Martina Navratilova faced a prolonged period of secrecy about her sexual orientation, primarily due to circumstances beyond her control. The tennis legend, who held both Czech and American citizenship, had to delay her coming out due to concerns related to discrimination against gay individuals during the 1970s and 80s.
She felt compelled to wait until she obtained American citizenship, fearing that revealing her sexuality might lead to her being “disqualified” during the naturalization process. Navratilova consistently evaded questions regarding her sexual orientation until she finally gained her American citizenship in 1981. This delayed disclosure was an unintended consequence of the discrimination prevalent during that era.
When did Martina Navratilova reveal her sexual preference?
In 1981, shortly after acquiring her United States citizenship, Martina Navratilova conducted an interview with Steve Goldstein, a sports reporter from the New York Daily News.
During this interview, she came out as bisexual and disclosed her sexual relationship with Rita Mae Brown. However, she requested that the article not be published until she was ready to make her sexuality public. Unfortunately, the New York Daily News went against her wishes and published the article on July 30, 1981.
Subsequently, Navratilova and her friend and roommate at the time, Nancy Lieberman, participated in an interview with Skip Bayless, a columnist from the Dallas Morning News. During this interview, Navratilova reaffirmed her bisexuality, while Lieberman identified herself as straight. It’s worth noting that Navratilova later redefined her sexual orientation as lesbian.
Between 1984 and 1991, Martina Navratilova was involved in a significant and enduring relationship with Judy Nelson. They initially crossed paths at a tournament in Fort Worth in 1982, even though Nelson was married with two children at the time.
Unfortunately, their separation in 1991 led to a highly publicized palimony lawsuit, which was ultimately resolved out of court. On September 6, 2014, Navratilova made a proposal to her longtime girlfriend Julia Lemigova, a former Miss USSR, during the US Open. Their romantic journey culminated in marriage when they tied the knot in New York on December 15, 2014.
Martina Navratilova’s first lesbian partner – Rita Mae Brown
Rita Mae Brown is a renowned American feminist writer, primarily recognized for her autobiographical novel, “Rubyfruit Jungle,” which delves into the coming-of-age journey. Besides her literary contributions, Brown played an active role in various civil rights movements and was a vocal critic of the tendency to sideline lesbians within feminist organizations. In recognition of her lifetime achievements, Rita Mae Brown received the Pioneer Award at the Lambda Literary Awards in 2015. Her work in the realm of audiobooks also earned her accolades, including a nomination for an Audie award and the receipt of both AudioFile Earphones and Publishers Weekly Listen-Up awards. Furthermore, in 1992, she was honored with an honorary doctorate from Wilson College.
Martina Navratilova’s second lesbian partner – Judy Nelson
Judy Nelson is an American author whose most notable claim to fame stems from her romantic involvement with Martina Navratilova from 1983 to 1991, a period during which she was still married. Subsequently, their separation led to a palimony lawsuit. Following their breakup, Nelson authored two books that shed light on her experiences: “Love Match: Nelson vs. Navratilova,” which delves into her relationship with the tennis legend, and “Choices: My Journey After Leaving My Husband for Martina and a Lesbian Life,” which documents her process of coming out as a lesbian in the mid-1980s. She is also a mother of two sons.
Martina Navratilova’s long-term lesbian partner – Julia Lemigova
Julia Lemigova is a former Russian model who achieved recognition as Miss USSR in 1990. She is prominently known for her marriage to Martina Navratilova, a tennis legend. Julia also appeared as a cast member on the Bravo reality television series “The Real Housewives of Miami.” Lemigova had a romantic involvement with banker Édouard Stern in 1997, resulting in the birth of their son, Maximilian. Tragically, Maximilian passed away due to shaken baby syndrome while under the care of a new nanny. Julia Lemigova has two daughters named Victoria, born in 2001, and Emma, born in 2005. She formalized her relationship with her long-term partner, Martina Navratilova, through marriage in New York on December 15, 2014.
Conclusion
In 1981, shortly after gaining her United States citizenship, Martina Navratilova revealed her sexual preference during an interview with Steve Goldstein, a sports reporter from the New York Daily News. Despite her request to keep it private, the article was published on July 30, 1981, marking her public coming out as bisexual, later identifying herself as lesbian. Navratilova’s journey eventually led her to a loving marriage with Julia Lemigova in 2014, showcasing the progress made in acceptance and inclusion over the years.
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