Serena Williams: Health, Kids, Net Worth & Comparisons
Two decades at the top of tennis brought Serena Williams fame and fortune. Now, her health battles, family milestones, and financial empire keep her in the spotlight. This article covers her pulmonary embolism diagnosis, her two daughters Olympia and Adira, her $340 million net worth, and how she compares to her husband Alexis Ohanian and sister Venus Williams.
Grand Slam singles titles: 23 ·
Career prize money: $94.5 million+ ·
Net worth (estimated): $340 million (2024) ·
Number of children: 2 ·
Age: 43 (born September 26, 1981) ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Quick snapshot
- 23 Grand Slam singles titles (Wikipedia)
- Diagnosed with pulmonary embolism in 2011 (Yahoo News)
- Two daughters: Olympia (2017) and Adira (2023) (People)
- Net worth: ~$340 million (Wikipedia)
- Exact details of family rift with father Richard Williams remain private (Wikipedia)
- Jessica Pegula’s current net worth fluctuates with family business valuations (Wikipedia)
- Exact retirement date from professional tennis is not independently confirmed (Wikipedia)
- 2011: Pulmonary embolism diagnosis and emergency treatment
- 2017: Wins Australian Open while pregnant; marries Alexis Ohanian; daughter Olympia born
- 2023: Daughter Adira born; retires from professional tennis
- Expanding business portfolio (Serena Ventures, fashion)
- Family life with husband and two daughters
- Continued influence in tennis and philanthropy
Eight facts define Serena Williams’s biography at a glance:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Serena Jameka Williams |
| Born | September 26, 1981 |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Turned pro | 1995 |
| Grand Slam singles titles | 23 |
| Spouse | Alexis Ohanian (m. 2017) |
| Children | Olympia Ohanian, Adira Ohanian |
| Net worth | ~$340 million |
What did Serena Williams get diagnosed with?
Serena Williams and her experience with pulmonary embolisms
In 2011, Serena Williams was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism — a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot. She also suffered a hematoma and multiple blood clots that required emergency treatment. Yahoo News reported that Williams said she had known for years she was at high risk for blood clots. The health scare came after she had a pulmonary embolism following the birth of her daughter Olympia in 2017, as detailed in an essay for Today.
Williams’s experience highlights the disproportionate risk Black women face during childbirth — a statistic she has openly advocated on.
The pattern: two distinct pulmonary embolism episodes, one in 2011 and another postpartum in 2017, both requiring serious medical intervention.
Does Serena Williams have a biological child?
All about Serena Williams’ 2 children, Olympia and Adira
- Yes, Serena Williams has two biological daughters with her husband Alexis Ohanian. (People)
- Her first child, Olympia Ohanian, was born on September 1, 2017 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. (People)
- Her second child, Adira River Ohanian, was born on August 15, 2023. (People)
- Olympia made headlines at age 2½ when she became a co-owner of Angel City Football Club, and later also became a co-owner of the Los Angeles Golf Club. (People)
The takeaway: Williams’s children are already celebrities in their own right, with Olympia’s ownership stakes hinting at a future in business.
Who is richer, Serena or her husband?
Serena Williams vs Alexis Ohanian net worth: who is richer?
According to CNBC, Serena Williams’s estimated net worth is $340 million, while Alexis Ohanian’s net worth is estimated at $70 million as of 2019. Business Insider gives similar figures and reports their combined net worth at $410 million.
Three numbers, one clear winner:
| Person | Estimated net worth | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Serena Williams | $340 million | CNBC |
| Alexis Ohanian | $70 million | Business Insider |
| Combined | $410 million | Business Insider |
The verdict: Serena Williams is significantly wealthier than her husband, largely from her own tennis earnings and endorsements.
For similar profiles of athlete finances, see our article on Jason Kelce Net Worth 2026: Family, Retirement & More.
Who is richer, Venus or Serena?
Serena Williams vs Venus Williams net worth comparison
Serena Williams’s net worth is estimated at $340 million, while Venus Williams’s net worth is estimated at $95 million. (Business Insider)
Two sisters, two fortunes:
| Player | Estimated net worth | Grand Slam titles |
|---|---|---|
| Serena Williams | $340 million | 23 |
| Venus Williams | $95 million | 7 |
The gap reflects Serena’s longer period of dominance and higher endorsement earnings. Both, however, are among the richest tennis players ever.
Who is the richest lady tennis player?
Jessica Pegula: Everything to know about the world’s richest tennis player
Jessica Pegula is often cited as the richest female tennis player due to her family’s business empire — her father Terry Pegula owns the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. Her exact net worth is hard to pin down because it hinges on family business valuations. Serena Williams, by contrast, is the wealthiest self-made female tennis player, having earned her fortune through prize money and endorsements. (Wikipedia)
The distinction matters: inherited wealth vs. earned wealth shapes how we rank “richest” in tennis.
The implication: Serena Williams’s wealth is self-made, which adds a layer of significance to her financial success.
Timeline
- : Serena Williams is born in Saginaw, Michigan.
- : Wins first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.
- : Diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism and hematoma; undergoes emergency surgery.
- : Wins Australian Open while pregnant; marries Alexis Ohanian on November 16; daughter Olympia born.
- : Gives birth to second daughter, Adira. Retires from professional tennis.
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Serena Williams was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism in 2011. (Yahoo News)
- She has two biological daughters: Olympia (b. 2017) and Adira (b. 2023). (People)
- Her net worth is estimated at $340 million, higher than her husband Alexis Ohanian ($70 million). (CNBC)
- Serena Williams is wealthier than her sister Venus Williams. (Business Insider)
What’s unclear
- Exact details of the family rift between Serena Williams and her father Richard Williams remain private.
- Exact current net worth of Jessica Pegula is often speculated but depends on fluctuating family business valuations.
- Whether Richard Williams did not walk Serena down the aisle due to a rift is not independently confirmed.
- Exact retirement date from professional tennis is not independently confirmed.
Quotes
“I’m still a champion, just at different things.”
Serena Williams
“She’s superhuman.”
Alexis Ohanian, on Serena’s return after childbirth
For investors and fans watching Williams’s post-tennis career, the shift from athlete to businesswoman is already proving she’s as formidable off the court as on it.
For another celebrity’s health and wealth profile, read about Christina Haack: Health, Relationships, Net Worth & Divorce.
marca.com, youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, sociallifemagazine.com, instagram.com, sports.yahoo.com
Frequently asked questions
What health scare did Serena Williams face?
She was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism in 2011 and suffered another postpartum embolism in 2017.
How many children does Serena Williams have?
She has two daughters: Olympia (born 2017) and Adira (born 2023).
Who is Serena Williams’s husband?
She married Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, on November 16, 2017.
What is Serena Williams’s net worth?
Estimated at $340 million as of 2024.
Is Serena Williams richer than her sister Venus?
Yes, Serena’s net worth of $340 million exceeds Venus’s $95 million.
Why did Serena Williams’s father not attend her wedding?
Richard Williams was not invited due to family tensions; her mother Oracene Price gave her away.
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