Serena Williams BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Serena Williams has been making major headlines again, both for her enduring legacy and for her recent business and public activities. Most notably, Serena has officially announced her retirement from professional tennis in a cover story with Vogue, declaring that she will step away after this year’s US Open. She described this moment not as a retirement, but as an evolution, signaling a new phase focused on family and business. Her statement, “I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me,” has been widely quoted and marks a truly biographical shift as the definitive face of women’s tennis officially steps back after nearly three decades at the top, according to a recent Vogue interview covered by Ebony.

Her public appearances have also drawn attention. Serena was a standout at the 2025 TIME100 Gala in New York, where she mingled with other global icons like Blake Lively and Demi Moore at Jazz at Lincoln Center, celebrating her ongoing influence far beyond the tennis court as one of TIME’s Most Influential People of 2025, as reported by AOL.

On the business front, Serena has secured a new high-profile role as entrepreneur-in-residence for Reckitt, the consumer health giant behind brands like Lysol and Durex. In this capacity, she is mentoring founders and connecting them with strategic partners through the company’s Catalyst initiative, a £10 million commitment to support women and underrepresented entrepreneurs globally. Serena told Fortune that her investment ethos centers on empowering women and overlooked markets, echoing the mission she began with Serena Ventures, which now boasts 14 unicorns and a portfolio primed for societal impact. She has been actively connecting Catalyst participants with her network, focusing her attention on health and hygiene innovations that are often neglected in typical Silicon Valley circles, Fortune reports.

Serena’s family has also been in the spotlight. Social media posts show her enjoying summer adventures with family. Her husband Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder and now a significant sports investor, spoke out about their joint 10% stake in Chelsea Women and how he and Serena consciously keep their investment portfolios separate, a detail he shared in interviews and through his own social media channels, as highlighted by Sportskeeda.

Financially, Serena remains a powerhouse. Finance Monthly estimates her net worth at $300 million as of June 2025, a figure built through a combination of record prize money, endorsements worth over $200 million, savvy investments, and the ongoing expansion of Serena Ventures. She is now considered a diversified entrepreneur, with interests spanning beauty, tech, fashion, production, and, increasingly, sports club ownership.

Wimbledon chatter has also referenced her, with The Indian Express recalling her back-to-back Wimbledon titles from a decade ago as this year’s tournament sees a new champion emerge for the eighth straight time, a testament to the competitive upheaval since her era.

Serena Williams is closing the book on a historic playing career but opening new chapters as a business leader, mentor, and cultural icon. Her every move – from the red carpet to the boardroom – continues to make news, and for Serena, evolution is truly the headline.

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Serena Williams burst onto the tennis scene in the late 1990s, a powerful and determined young athlete who would go on to revolutionize the sport and become one of the most iconic figures in athletic history. Born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan, Serena was the youngest of five daughters in the Williams family. Her parents, Richard Williams and Oracene Price, recognized the potential in both Serena and her older sister Venus from an early age, setting them on a path that would lead to tennis greatness.

The Williams family moved to Compton, California, when Serena was still a toddler. It was on the public courts of this tough neighborhood that Richard began teaching his daughters the fundamentals of tennis. Despite the challenging environment, which often included the sound of gunshots in the background during their practice sessions, Serena and Venus honed their skills with a relentless dedication that would become their trademark.

At the tender age of 14, Serena made her professional debut in 1995, marking the beginning of a career that would span nearly three decades. Her first major breakthrough came in 1999 when she won the US Open singles title, becoming the first African American woman to win a Grand Slam singles event since Althea Gibson in 1958. This victory was just the beginning of Serena's dominance in the sport.

Throughout her career, Serena has amassed an astounding 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the Open Era. Her powerful serve, often clocking in at over 120 mph, became one of the most feared weapons in tennis. Coupled with her aggressive playing style and unparalleled athleticism, Serena's game changed the face of women's tennis, inspiring a generation of players to embrace power and strength.

Beyond her individual accomplishments, Serena has also excelled in doubles, primarily alongside her sister Venus. The Williams sisters have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together and three Olympic gold medals in doubles. Serena has also claimed an Olympic gold medal in singles, completing the elusive "Golden Slam" - all four major titles plus Olympic gold.

Off the court, Serena has been a force for change and a cultural icon. She has been outspoken about issues of racial and gender equality, using her platform to advocate for social justice. Her impact extends beyond tennis, influencing fashion, business, and popular culture. Serena has launched her own clothing line, invested in numerous businesses, and even ventured into tech startups.

Serena's personal life has also captured public attention. In 2017, she married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in a star-studded ceremony in New Orleans. The couple welcomed their daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., earlier that same year. Serena's journey through pregnancy and motherhood, including her life-threatening post-partum complications, has further endeared her to fans and added another layer to her inspiring story.

Throughout her career, Serena has faced and overcome numerous challenges. She has battled injuries, including a pulmonary embolism in 2011 that nearly ended her career. She has also faced racism and sexism, both on and off the court, handling these issues with grace and determination. Her resilience in the face of adversity has become as much a part of her legacy as her on-court achievements.

As Serena's playing career has begun to wind down, her impact on the sport and society at large continues to grow. She has become a symbol of excellence, perseverance, and empowerment for people around the world. Her journey from the public courts of Compton to the center courts of Wimbledon and beyond is a testament to the power of talent, hard work, and unwavering self-belief.

Serena Williams' legacy extends far beyond her trophy cabinet. She has redefined what it means to be a female athlete, challenged societal norms, and inspired...