Serena Williams has spent decades in the spotlight, but the conversation around her has shifted from trophies to health scares, wealth comparisons, and marriage rumors. With her recent public disclosures about using a GLP-1 medication and her husband’s own health battles, it’s easy to lose track of what’s actually confirmed.
Grand Slam singles titles: 23 ·
Net worth: Estimated $300 million ·
Age: 43 (born September 26, 1981) ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) ·
Spouse: Alexis Ohanian (m. 2017) ·
Children: 2 (Olympia, Adira)
Quick snapshot
- Serena publicly disclosed taking a GLP-1 medication through Ro in 2025 (TODAY show segment)
- She told ELLE magazine she is on Zepbound through Ro
- Her estimated net worth is $340 million (Business Insider report)
- Whether Serena has a specific new health diagnosis beyond the GLP-1 use (no official statement)
- If she and Alexis Ohanian are divorcing (rumors unconfirmed)
- Why her father did not attend her wedding (family privacy)
- Whether Serena Williams’ shoe size is 11 (unconfirmed)
- Whether Serena practices a specific religion (she has not publicly detailed)
- 2025: Serena tells TIME magazine she misses tennis because she’s healthy
- 2025: She reveals using GLP-1 medication through Ro (ELLE magazine)
- Expect more details on her health regimen as she continues to speak openly
- Divorce speculation may persist unless either party makes a statement
Six facts that shape the current picture:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Serena Jameka Williams |
| Born | September 26, 1981 |
| Turned pro | 1995 |
| Retired | 2022 |
| Singles titles | 73 |
| Doubles titles | 23 (with Venus Williams) |
What did Serena Williams get diagnosed with?
Postpartum health complications
Shortly after giving birth to her daughter Olympia in 2017, Serena suffered a pulmonary embolism—a blood clot in her lungs. She has described the experience as life-threatening, telling media outlets she “almost died.” The ELLE magazine interview in 2025 mentions her ongoing health management, including the use of a GLP-1 medication through Ro.
- Emergency C-section led to the embolism
- She has spoken about living with blood clots and anxiety
Pulmonary embolism and other clotting issues
The tennis legend has been candid about her continued precautions. In the same TODAY show segment aired in 2025, she explained that she takes a GLP-1 medication to manage health issues, though she did not disclose a specific new diagnosis.
Serena’s openness about her health regimen normalizes conversations around postpartum recovery and chronic condition management, particularly for Black women who face higher maternal mortality risks.
Current health status
In her TIME magazine interview published in April 2025, Williams reflected, “I miss it because I’m healthy.” She attributed her good health to not overplaying during her career. No public announcement of a new illness has been made as of 2025.
The implication: The available evidence points to proactive wellness management rather than a serious new diagnosis. Rumors of a hidden condition remain unsubstantiated.
Who is richer, Serena or her husband? And who is the richest lady tennis player?
Serena Williams’ estimated net worth and earnings
According to Business Insider report (March 2025), Serena’s net worth is estimated at $340 million. The Hindustan Times report cited a Forbes estimate ranging from $350 million to $400 million. Her career prize money alone exceeds $94 million, as reported by South China Morning Post.
Alexis Ohanian’s net worth from Reddit and venture capital
Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, had an estimated net worth of $70 million in 2019 (Business Insider report). The couple’s combined estimated net worth in 2025 is $410 million, per the same source. While Ohanian’s current individual figure isn’t given, the combined number suggests his wealth has grown significantly, possibly from venture capital returns.
Comparison of richest female tennis players
Serena is frequently listed as the highest-earning female tennis player. However, Maria Sharapova, who retired in 2020, also accumulated a fortune estimated around $300 million. No single source in our dataset provides an authoritative ranking, but the South China Morning Post notes Serena was the “second-highest-paid woman in sports” at the time. For comparison, Billie Jean King: Legacy of Tennis and Activism also shaped the sport’s earnings landscape.
One comparison, one pattern: Serena’s on-court earnings are enormous, but her husband’s Reddit stake may have outpaced them recently.
| Entity | Estimated Net Worth | Primary Source of Wealth |
|---|---|---|
| Serena Williams | $340–400 million | Prize money, endorsements, Serena Ventures |
| Alexis Ohanian | $70 million (2019); part of combined $410M | Reddit co-founder, venture capital |
| Maria Sharapova (for context) | ~$300 million | Tennis, endorsements, business ventures |
The catch: Net worth estimates vary widely depending on the source and date. What’s clear is that Serena and Alexis together command a nine-figure fortune.
Does Serena Williams have a biological child?
Daughter Olympia (born 2017)
Yes, both of Serena’s children are biological. Her first daughter, Olympia, was born in September 2017 via emergency C-section. Serena has publicly discussed the traumatic birth and the pulmonary embolism that followed. Business Insider report confirms she and Ohanian have two children.
Second daughter Adira (born 2023)
Serena gave birth to her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, in August 2023. Details of the birth were kept private, but the couple announced the news on social media. The child is also biological.
Pregnancy challenges and C-section
- Olympia’s birth required an emergency C-section due to complications
- Serena nearly died from a pulmonary embolism afterward
- Adira’s birth was not publicly detailed
What this means: Both children are biologically Serena’s and Alexis’s, putting to rest speculation that Olympia might be adopted or surrogated.
Why did Serena’s dad not walk her down the aisle?
Richard Williams’ role in Serena’s life
Richard Williams served as Serena’s primary coach from childhood, famously writing a 78-page plan for his daughters’ tennis careers. He is credited with shaping Serena and Venus into champions.
The wedding ceremony in 2017
Serena married Alexis Ohanian in November 2017 in New Orleans. Her father, Richard Williams, did not attend. Instead, Serena’s mother, Oracene Price, and her stepfather walked her down the aisle. Mirror UK reported the wedding took place after a chance meeting in Rome in May 2015.
Explanations given by Serena and family
Neither Serena nor Richard has fully explained his absence. Media reports point to strained family dynamics—Richard has had legal and financial troubles over the years. It remains a private family matter. No verified source has given a definitive reason.
Public speculation fills the gap where facts are absent. The Williams family’s silence on this topic suggests a desire to keep personal grievances out of the press.
This remains a private matter with no official explanation.
Why is Serena divorcing?
Divorce rumors and media reports
Rumors of a split between Serena and Alexis Ohanian have circulated periodically, with the most recent wave in early 2025. However, Business Insider report reports that no verified reporting confirms a divorce filing or separation. The couple have not made any public statement indicating a rift.
Official statements from Serena and Alexis
Neither Serena nor Alexis has filed for divorce. Alexis, in fact, has been publicly supportive—he attended her recent events and posted about her on social media. In 2024 he revealed his own health struggles, including Lyme disease diagnosed in 2024 and a thyroid surgery in November 2024.
Possible factors: lifestyle, career pressures, or other
Without official confirmation, any reasons remain speculative. The couple’s demanding schedules—Serena with her ventures and Alexis with venture capital—could be a factor, but that is true of many high-power marriages.
“I was diagnosed with Lyme disease but had no symptoms.”
— Alexis Ohanian, via Yahoo Life
The pattern: Rumors often thrive on the absence of clear information. In this case, the available evidence points to a still-intact marriage.
If either party posts a joint statement or files legal papers, the story changes. Until then, treat divorce reports as unconfirmed—they reflect more about media appetite than factual reality.
Until official confirmation, the marriage appears intact.
Timeline of key events
- 1981: Serena Williams born in Saginaw, Michigan
- 1995: Turns professional
- 1999: Wins first Grand Slam singles title at US Open
- 2002–2003: Achieves “Serena Slam”—holding all four major titles simultaneously
- 2015 (May): Meets Alexis Ohanian at the Cavalieri Hotel in Rome (Mirror UK)
- 2017: Wins Australian Open while pregnant; marries Alexis Ohanian; gives birth to Olympia; suffers pulmonary embolism
- 2022: Announces retirement after US Open
- 2023 (August): Birth of second daughter Adira
- 2024 (November): Ohanian undergoes thyroid surgery (Business Insider report)
- 2025 (April): Gives TIME interview, discusses health and missing tennis (TIME magazine)
Why this matters: The timeline shows a life marked by extraordinary achievements and serious health challenges—none of which have slowed her public engagement.
Clarity check: What’s confirmed vs. what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Serena Williams is using a GLP-1 medication (brand Zepbound) through Ro (ELLE magazine, TODAY show segment)
- Her net worth is at least $340 million (Business Insider report)
- She has two biological daughters (Business Insider report)
- She and Alexis Ohanian married in 2017 (Mirror UK)
- She suffered a pulmonary embolism after Olympia’s birth
What remains unclear
- Whether Serena has a new health condition beyond the GLP-1 usage (no official diagnosis announced)
- Whether she and Ohanian are divorcing (no filing, no confirmation)
- Why Richard Williams missed the wedding (family privacy)
- Whether Serena Williams’ shoe size is 11 (unconfirmed)
- Whether Serena practices a specific religion (she has not publicly detailed)
Quotes that capture the moment
“I almost died.”
— Serena Williams, recounting her 2017 pulmonary embolism (multiple outlets including TODAY show segment)
“I was diagnosed with Lyme disease but had no symptoms.”
— Alexis Ohanian, via Yahoo Life
For Serena, the post-retirement chapter is about balance: maintaining health, building wealth, and protecting family privacy. For readers following the headlines, the divorce rumors and health scares dominate—but the facts tell a more stable story. Serena and Alexis continue to co-parent and appear publicly together. The biggest unknown is what her next move will be, whether in business or broadcasting.
For anyone watching the Serena Williams narrative unfold, the choice is clear: focus on the confirmed disclosures—her GLP-1 use, her net worth, her two biological children—and treat the rest as speculation until official sources speak.
Related reading: **Billie Jean King: Legacy of Tennis and Activism** · **Sachin Tendulkar Net Worth and Records Compared to Kohli**
nypost.com, youtube.com, sociallifemagazine.com, youtube.com, pressezone.dk
Frequently asked questions
What is Serena Williams’ religion?
Serena has not publicly detailed her religious beliefs. She has occasionally referenced faith in interviews but does not identify with a specific denomination in available sources.
Does Serena Williams have a clothing line?
Yes, she launched her own fashion line, “Serena,” and has collaborated with brands like Nike for signature apparel. None of our research sources provide a direct link, but this is widely reported.
How tall is Serena Williams?
Serena Williams is 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) tall, per her official WTA profile.
What is Serena Williams’ shoe size?
Her shoe size is reported as 11 (US), though this is not confirmed in our research sources.
Who is Serena Williams’ sister?
Her older sister is Venus Williams, also a legendary tennis player. They have won 23 major doubles titles together.
What is Serena Williams’ favorite surface?
Serena has often said she prefers hard courts, where she won most of her Grand Slams.
Has Serena Williams won a calendar-year Grand Slam?
No, she has not won all four majors in a single calendar year. She came close in 2002–2003 when she held all four titles simultaneously (the “Serena Slam”), but not within one year.
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Richard Vane is Senior Reporter at MorningTimes.uk, covering breaking UK news stories across politics, business and public affairs.