For most of her life, Serena Williams has been an iconic athlete. Her accolades in tennis, both with her sister, Venus, and on her own, have inspired fans worldwide through multiple generations. After spending years as the world’s undisputed top women’s tennis player, Williams announced her retirement in Vogue in 2022. Her powerful piece reflected on her career up to that point and revealed that she felt she had to choose between her sport and her family.
“I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me,” Williams wrote. “A few years ago, I quietly started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm. Soon after that, I started a family. I want to grow that family.”
Transitioning to life after competition can be difficult for athletes, especially the elite ones. They’re walking away from excitement and fulfillment that you can’t replicate anywhere else. Given how happy Williams appears three years later, she seems satisfied with her decision. But who is she building her life with outside of tennis that helps it be so fulfilling? In other words, who is Serena Williams’ husband?
Who is Serena Williams’ Husband?
Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams have been married since 2017. Not long after, his relationship gained him more publicity. However, Ohanian had his fair share of success before he and Williams even met.
Born in New York City in 1983 to Armenian parents, Ohanian was raised in Maryland. He showed an early interest in technology. According to a 2012 profile in Inc., he even started building websites for local businesses, conveniently omitting that he was only a teenager on his parents’ computer. He followed this passion to the University of Virginia, where he majored in computer science. That is, until he changed his focus and graduated in 2005 with degrees in history and commerce.
From there, Ohanian co-founded reddit.com, which still stands as one of the world’s most widely used message boards. Ohanian spent a couple of terms on the executive board of Reddit and later used the money he made from its success to found other companies and invest in startups.
How Did Serena Williams Meet Her Husband?
Williams and Ohanian’s meeting was completely unplanned. Williams was in Italy in May 2015 for the Italian Open, and Ohanian was there for a business conference. The two ended up sitting next to each other at a restaurant and connected over their shared love of Marvel Comics and movies.
“During dinner, he started talking about Iron Man and Marvel,” Williams said in an episode of her 2024 ESPN+ docuseries In The Arena. “That’s the way to my heart.”
Ohanian later explained that they bonded over their deep love of, and strong opinions on, Marvel comics.
“This wasn’t just a superficial, ‘Hey, I’ve watched a few movies.’ This is, ‘I have deeply studied the text and I have strong opinions about this lore.’
When the two later went on a date during the French Open, Williams only agreed on the condition that her assistant and agent, Jill Smoller, could join. For the first half of the date, Smoller drilled Ohanian with questions about his dating history and ambitions until he eventually earned enough trust to move forward, according to E News.
Apparently, things went well from there. That first encounter was close to a decade ago, and Ohanian and Williams are still going strong.
Did Serena Williams’ Husband Sell Reddit?
Ohanian founded Reddit alongside his college roommate, Steve Huffman. He eventually sold his stake in that company. With the benefit of hindsight, he later regretted the decision.
“Halloween is always a surreal holiday for me, because on Halloween 2006, we sold Reddit to Conde Nast. The deal was months in the making and I wish I’d had more advisors around the table giving me more perspective on the sale,” he wrote in a 2020 Twitter thread. “I thought I was getting away with something because for 16 [months] worth of work, I was getting more money than my parents had made their entire working lives,” he continued.
Ohanian’s mother was diagnosed with brain cancer shortly after he founded Reddit, which encouraged him to sell.
“The idea of rewarding her lifelong unflagging confidence in me with a $10 [million] exit was tremendously appealing,” he explained.
“I wish I’d had an investor tell me there were other options (like raising a Series A!) and there would be a path to much greater things given how fast the audience was growing at a time when our engineers had basically stopped working on the product,” Ohanian added.
What Does Alexis Ohanian Do for a Living Now?
Founding one of the most recognizable websites on the internet and building incredible wealth from the sale is already enough success for most people. Being known for stepping down from the board of a major company with a call for more diversity in business leadership is another. Ohanian did just that in 2020, according to People. But he was far from done making impressive and historic moves.
Even before Ohanian met Williams and stepped away from Reddit, he invested in numerous business ventures and used his profits to support causes he cares deeply about. He’s currently the head of a venture capital firm he founded in 2020 called SevenSevenSix. From there, he founded 776.org, which was created “to combat inequity worldwide through entrepreneurship.” With that launch, Ohanian announced a $20M commitment to climate action through his new 776 Climate Fellowship.
In more recent business news, Ohanian made waves in women’s sports by buying an eight percent stake in Chelsea Football Club’s NWSL team. According to The Athletic, the investment brings the team’s valuation to approximately £245 million.
“I’m proud to announce that I’m joining as an investor and board member. I’m honored for the chance to help this iconic club become America’s favorite team and much, much more,” Ohanian said in a statement.
Even though Serena isn’t an active athlete anymore, it’s inspiring to many sports fans that she found a partner who truly cares about women’s sports.
Do Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian have children?
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian have two children. They found out they were expecting their first child in January 2017, shortly before she went on to compete in and win the Australian Open. Alexis Olympis Ohanian Jr, who goes by Olympia, was born in September 2017. Their second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, was born in August 2023.
Williams has spoken publicly about how fulfilling her life as a mother has been, often mentioning her daughters as a motivation to continue her work.
“I also hope my daughters see how many different passions I have — from tennis to beauty — and learn that they can lead dynamic careers and lives across their many interests,” she said in an interview with Byrdie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Serena Williams married to?
Serena Williams married Alexis Ohanian in 2017.
Who is Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian?
Alexis Ohanian is an investor and philanthropist who co-founded Reddit.
Does Serena Williams have a daughter?
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian have two daughters. Alexis Olympis Ohanian Jr., who goes by Olympia, was born in September 2017, and their second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, was born in August 2023.