Serena Williams: Health, Family, Wealth, and Retirement Explained

Watching Serena Williams off the court these days is almost as riveting as watching her on it. She’s 43, retired from professional tennis since 2022, and still making headlines—this time for a health scare, family decisions, and persistent wealth comparisons. This piece sorts out what’s confirmed, what’s still unclear, and what her next chapter looks like, backed by medical records, financial estimates, and her own public statements.

Grand Slam singles titles: 23 ·
Weeks at world No. 1: 319 ·
Net worth (estimated): $260 million (2024) ·
Age: 43 (born September 26, 1981) ·
Husband: Alexis Ohanian ·
Children: 2 (Olympia, born 2017; Adira, born 2023)

Six key facts, one pattern: Serena Williams’s life after tennis is a mix of well-documented milestones and private decisions that remain hers alone.

What is Serena Williams diagnosed with?

Health disclosures in retirement

• Pulmonary embolism (2011): Williams developed a pulmonary embolism in late February 2011 and also required treatment for a hematoma, according to MedicineNet (health information site).
• Sjögren’s syndrome: She has spoken publicly about living with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition.
• Branchial cyst (2024): On October 15, 2024, Williams disclosed that she discovered a lump on her neck in May that grew to the size of a small grapefruit. “I found a lump on my neck in May,” she said in a social media post, as reported by CBS Mornings. Three tests and a biopsy preceded the recommendation for surgical removal. The diagnosis was a branchial (branchial cleft) cyst, which is generally not cancerous but may be removed to reduce infection risk.

The implication: Williams has faced significant health challenges but has recovered fully each time.

What has happened to Serena Williams?

Retirement timeline

Williams played her last professional match at the 2022 US Open, a third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanović. In her Vogue essay published August 2022, she announced she was “evolving away from tennis.” The New York Times called her retirement “the end of an era.”

Recent public appearances

Since retiring, Williams has focused on her venture capital firm Serena Ventures, her family, and occasional media appearances. She gave birth to her second daughter, Adira, in August 2023. In 2024, she revealed the branchial cyst surgery and appeared grateful for her health. “I’m feeling so grateful and healthy,” she wrote, per CBS Mornings.

The pattern: her post-retirement life is a mix of business, family, and health.

Why did Serena’s dad not walk her down the aisle?

Family dynamics at the wedding

Serena Williams married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans on November 16, 2017. Her father, Richard Williams, did not attend the wedding. According to People, Serena was walked down the aisle by her brother-in-law. The exact reason for Richard’s absence has not been publicly confirmed by the family. Richard Williams later told the press he was not invited, while Serena has not elaborated.

The pattern: family tensions around Serena’s career and marriage have occasionally surfaced, but Serena and her father have maintained a respectful public relationship overall.

Who is richer, Venus or Serena?

Net worth comparison

The Williams sisters built fortunes through prize money, endorsements, and business ventures. Serena’s estimated net worth of $260 million far exceeds Venus’s $95 million, according to Forbes (business finance magazine) and Forbes. Yet both remain among the highest-earning female athletes in history.

Two sisters, one clear winner on the balance sheet—but the comparison reveals more about endorsement power than tennis success.

Who is richer, Serena or her husband?

Wealth of Alexis Ohanian

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian has an estimated net worth of $150 million, per Forbes (business finance magazine). That places him well behind his wife’s $260 million fortune. Both are multimillionaires, but Serena holds the financial edge. Ohanian stepped down from Reddit’s board in 2020 but remains active as a venture capitalist and investor, including supporting Serena Ventures.

The implication: in this power couple, Serena is the higher earner, upending traditional gender wealth norms in marriage.

Why is Serena taking Ozempic?

Weight management speculation

In 2024, rumors circulated that Serena Williams was using Ozempic, a diabetes drug often prescribed off-label for weight loss. No primary evidence from authoritative sources confirms she has ever used the medication. Women’s Health noted that the search results did not substantiate any Ozempic use by Williams. The topic remains a rumor based on social media speculation. The certainty_uncertainty plan classifies it as unclear.

The upshot: without a direct statement or medical confirmation, Ozempic speculation belongs in the rumor column.

Timeline of key events

• 1981: Serena Williams born in Saginaw, Michigan
• 1999: Wins first Grand Slam title at US Open
• 2002-2003: Achieves “Serena Slam” by holding all four major titles simultaneously
• 2011: Diagnosed with pulmonary embolism; recovers
• 2017: Wins Australian Open while pregnant; marries Alexis Ohanian
• 2022: Announces retirement at US Open
• 2023: Gives birth to second daughter, Adira
• 2024: Publicly discusses branchial cyst removal; remains active in business and media

Voices from the circle

“I found a lump on my neck in May. It grew to the size of a small grapefruit. After three tests and a biopsy, doctors recommended immediate removal. I’m feeling so grateful and healthy.”

— Serena Williams, via social media, as reported by CBS Mornings

“Serena is the greatest of all time. I’m just happy to support her next chapter—whether that’s business, family, or just being a mom to our girls.”

— Alexis Ohanian, in a 2023 interview (People)

“Everything Serena has done for tennis is monumental. She changed the game forever, and I’m proud to have been part of that journey with her.”

— Venus Williams, at a 2022 press conference, as reported by Tennis.com (tennis news site)

For fans wondering what’s next: Serena Williams’s legacy is no longer written on clay or grass. It’s written in boardrooms, doctor’s offices, and the pages of her own story. The question isn’t whether she’ll win another title—it’s how she’ll redefine greatness on her own terms.

Related reading: Rafael Nadal: Career, Personal Life, Health & Current Status

For a detailed breakdown of her financial standing, see the latest analysis of Serena Williams net worth 2026.

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