Ruth Aarons
A table tennis champion who smashed gender expectations in the 1930s, becoming America's first world title holder in the sport.
1918–1980 (age 62)·American table tennis player·Birthday: June 11·The Greatest Generation
Biography
At the 1936 World Table Tennis Championships in Prague, Ruth Aarons became the first American—male or female—to claim a world title. The 18-year-old New Yorker battled Austria's Trude Pritzi in a grueling final that ended in a controversial draw, forcing organizers to declare co-champions. Aarons had already dominated U.S. table tennis as a teenager, winning national championships with an aggressive, fast-paced style. A back injury cut short her competitive career. She pivoted to show business, touring vaudeville with a paddle-and-ball act. Later, Aarons worked as a theatrical agent in Hollywood, representing major stars. She carried her competitive drive into every new role, from athlete to agent, until her death in 1980.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Ruth was born in 1918, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ruth Was Born
The biggest hits of 1918
Ruth's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1918Born
World War I ends; Spanish flu pandemic kills millions
President: Woodrow Wilson
1923Started school
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1931Became a teenager
The Empire State Building opens as the world's tallest
Gas: $0.17/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Minnie the Moocher" — Cab CallowayBest Picture: Cimarron
1934Could drive
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1936Could vote
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1939Turned 21
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1948Turned 30
Israel declares independence; Berlin Blockade begins
Gas: $0.26/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Twelfth Street Rag" — Pee Wee HuntBest Picture: Hamlet
1958Turned 40
NASA founded
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Volare" — Domenico ModugnoBest Picture: Gigi
1968Turned 50
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1978Turned 60
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1980Died at 62
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
Key Achievements
- Became the first American to win a World Table Tennis Championship title (sharing the 1936 women's singles title).
- Won the U.S. Open Women's Singles championship three consecutive times (1934–1936).
- Successfully transitioned from sports to a long career as a theatrical agent in Hollywood.
- Inducted into the USA Table Tennis Hall of Fame in its inaugural year.
Did You Know?
The 1936 world final was halted at 17-16 in the fifth set due to time, leading to the shared title—a unique event in championship history.
She performed a celebrated table tennis act in the Broadway revue 'Priorities of 1942.'
As an agent, her client list included actors such as Henry Fonda and Myrna Loy.
She was known for playing in high heels during her competitive matches.
“I won the world title, but they wouldn't let a woman keep it.”
