Hank Aaron's Wife Reflects on Historic 715th Homer

Billye Aaron shares memories of the joy and backlash after her husband broke Babe Ruth's home run record.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:05pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring bold, neon-colored brushstrokes capturing the dynamic motion and energy of a baseball player's swing, conceptually representing the historic moment Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record.A powerful visual representation of the raw emotion and historic significance of Hank Aaron's record-breaking home run, which forever changed the game of baseball.Atlanta Today

On the 52nd anniversary of Hank 'Hammerin'' Aaron's historic 715th home run, his wife Billye Aaron sat down for an interview to reflect on the momentous occasion. Billye shared memories of the joy and backlash her husband faced after breaking Babe Ruth's longstanding home run record, as well as the impact it had on their family.

Why it matters

Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run was a landmark moment in baseball history, as he became the first Black player to surpass Babe Ruth's iconic record. The achievement was met with both celebration and racist backlash, shining a light on the barriers Aaron faced both on and off the field as a Black athlete.

The details

In the interview, Billye Aaron recalled the night of the historic home run, saying she was watching carefully and saw Hank look over to find her in the stands. When he hit the record-breaking shot, Billye said they embraced and Hank whispered 'we did it.' Billye also shared that Hank's biggest concern was for the safety of their daughter, who was attending college at the time and facing threats due to her father's achievement.

  • Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run on April 8, 1974.
  • The interview with Billye Aaron took place on the 52nd anniversary of the historic home run, on April 8, 2026.

The players

Hank Aaron

A legendary baseball player who broke Babe Ruth's home run record in 1974, becoming the first Black player to do so.

Billye Aaron

The wife of Hank Aaron, who reflected on the historic moment and the impact it had on their family.

Babe Ruth

A legendary baseball player whose home run record Hank Aaron broke in 1974.

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What they’re saying

“'We got married in '73, in November of '73. Nov. 12 to be exact.'”

— Billye Aaron

“'Babe Ruth had broken all expectations in terms of his ability to play baseball. They didn't want a Black man to come along behind and break that record.'”

— Billye Aaron

“'He had a daughter that had just gone off to Fisk and she was having difficulty. They had the school had written him and said 'we need some protection for her, so we don't want her going off campus.''”

— Billye Aaron

“'I was watching him carefully, and I saw him looking over, trying to find me, and in a few minutes he came to the box where I am. We embraced and he just kind of whispered something. He said 'we did it.''”

— Billye Aaron

The takeaway

Hank Aaron's historic 715th home run was a landmark moment that transcended baseball, as he became the first Black player to break Babe Ruth's iconic record. The achievement was met with both celebration and racist backlash, highlighting the barriers Aaron faced throughout his career. Billye Aaron's reflections on that night provide a personal and poignant look at the impact of her husband's accomplishment, both for their family and the broader African American community.