Venus Williams Biography: Venus Ebony Starr Williams born June 17, 1980 is an American former professional tennis player. A former world No. 1 in both singles and doubles, she held the top spot in women’s singles for 11 weeks and in doubles for eight weeks.
Venus Williams Biography
Venus Williams’ net worth is a testament to her decades of dedication both on and off the tennis court. Rising to fame alongside her younger sister, Serena Williams, Venus helped transform the landscape of tennis. As two young Black women in a traditionally exclusive sport, they not only dominated their competition but also became cultural icons.
Venus Williams Biography 2025 Details
| Full name | Venus Ebony Starr Williams |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) | United States |
| Residence | Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, U.S. |
| Born | June 17, 1980 Lynwood, California, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Turned pro | October 1994 |
| Retired | March 2024 (last match) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| College | Indiana University East (BSBA) |
| Coach | Hugo Armando (2023–present) |
| Prize money | US $42,648,578
|
| Category | Tennis Players |
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Venus Williams Personal Life
Their toughest rivals have often been each other. Over the years, Venus has shattered records and broken barriers. With a career filled with championship titles and historic milestones, it’s no surprise that she’s built substantial wealth along the way.
About Venus Williams
Venus Ebony Starr Williams is an American inactive tennis player. She has been ranked as the world No. 1 in women’s singles by the WTA for 11 weeks, and as the world No. 1 in women’s doubles for eight weeks.
Venus Williams Achievements
Over her career, Williams secured 49 WTA singles titles, including seven Grand Slam championships—five at Wimbledon and two at the US Open—and a gold medal in singles at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She also claimed 22 doubles titles, including 14 Grand Slam victories and three Olympic gold medals. Coached by her parents, Richard Williams and Oracene Price, alongside her younger sister Serena, Venus turned professional in 1994. She made her breakthrough by reaching her first Grand Slam final at the 1997 US Open.
Venus Williams Wiki
- Born: 17 June 1980 (age 45 years), Lynwood, California, United States
- Grand slams won (singles): 7
- Height: 1.85 m
- Siblings: Serena Williams, Yetunde Price, Richard Williams III, Lyndrea Price, Isha Price
- Coach: Richard Williams (1995-), Oracene Price (1995-)
- Parents: Richard Williams, Oracene Price
Early Life
Venus Williams was born in Lynwood, California, to Richard Williams and Oracene Price. When Venus was 11, the Williams family relocated from Compton, California, to West Palm Beach, Florida, so that she and her sister Serena could train at Rick Macci’s tennis academy. Macci recognized the sisters’ potential and provided additional coaching, although he occasionally clashed with their father. Despite their differences, Macci respected Richard Williams for allowing his daughters to enjoy childhood and not pushing them too hard.
At the age of 11, Richard made the decision to withdraw Venus and Serena from national junior tennis tournaments. He wanted them to focus more on their education and avoid burnout. He was also reportedly concerned about the racism he witnessed at junior events, where he had overheard other parents making disparaging remarks about his daughters. At the time, Venus had compiled an undefeated 63–0 record on the USTA junior circuit and was ranked No. 1 among under-12 players in Southern California.
How Did Venus Williams Become Famous?
Venus Ebony Starr Williams is one of the most accomplished athletes in sports history. She turned professional at the age of 14 in 1994, and by the late 1990s, she and Serena were making waves in the tennis world. Her breakthrough came in 1997 when she reached her first Grand Slam final at the US Open. The year 2000 marked a turning point as she claimed titles at both Wimbledon and the US Open, and won Olympic gold in singles at the Sydney Games. She repeated her Wimbledon and US Open victories in 2001.
Venus became the first Black woman in the Open Era to be ranked world No. 1 in singles, following in the footsteps of trailblazer Althea Gibson. Throughout her career, Venus has captured seven Grand Slam singles titles—five at Wimbledon and two at the US Open. Alongside Serena, she has also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, remaining undefeated in major doubles finals. The sisters also secured three Olympic gold medals in doubles in 2000, 2008, and 2012.
Who Is Richer—Venus or Serena Williams?
While Venus has earned a remarkable fortune, her sister Serena surpasses her in wealth. Serena is the highest-paid female tennis player of all time, with a net worth estimated at $300 million—over $200 million more than Venus.
Is Venus Williams Married?
Venus Williams is currently not married and has never been. Her most public relationship was with Nicholas “Nicky” Hammond, a financier and heir to the Annenberg family fortune. The couple dated from 2017 to 2019 and even attended Serena’s wedding together. Before that, Venus was in a relationship with professional golfer Hank Kuehne from 2007 to 2010. She was also linked to Cuban model Elio Pis in 2012, following their collaboration on her fashion brand, EleVen.
Venus Williams on Marriage and Personal Life
In a 2021 Cosmopolitan interview, Venus Williams shared her perspective on marriage and societal expectations. When asked about her single status, Venus expressed contentment with her independence and lifestyle. “I’m very much in love with the freedom my life allows me,” she said, adding that she doesn’t feel the pressure to conform to traditional timelines around marriage and family.
“I have a lot of friends who don’t believe me when I say that I like my life and I don’t want to change it for any reason. I’m not desperate and they don’t believe me,” she explained with a laugh. “They say things like, ‘You’re going to miss your window.’ I’m like, ‘Please, relax. You might feel this way, but I don’t. I promise you I don’t.’”
What Illness Does Venus Williams Have?
Venus Williams has publicly shared that she suffers from Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects roughly 4 million Americans. Although she began experiencing symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath as early as 2004, it wasn’t until 2011 that she received a proper diagnosis. Sjögren’s syndrome primarily causes dry eyes and dry mouth, but it can also lead to joint pain, muscle aches, and inflammation of internal organs. While the condition has no known cure, it can be managed through medications and lifestyle changes. Before her diagnosis, the disease significantly impacted her performance and stamina on the court.
How Much Does Venus Williams Earn Annually?
Like many top athletes, Venus earns a significant portion of her income through endorsements. On average, she brings in around $7 million per year, combining tournament winnings, appearance fees, and brand partnerships. For example, in 2019, she earned an estimated $5.9 million, with $5 million of that coming from endorsement deals—ranking her as the 10th highest-paid female athlete globally that year.
How Much Does Venus Williams Make Per Match?
Venus’ earnings per match vary greatly depending on the tournament. Grand Slam and WTA events have different prize structures, making it difficult to pinpoint a fixed amount per match. However, based on her total prize money and the number of singles matches she had played by 2021 (1,073 matches), her average earnings per match were estimated to be around $88,500. Venus also played a major role in the fight for equal pay in tennis. In 2007, when she won her fourth Wimbledon title, she became the first woman to earn prize money equal to the men’s champion at that tournament.
What Was Venus Williams’ First Endorsement Deal?
In 1995, at just 15 years old and already ranked third in the world, Venus signed her first major endorsement deal with Reebok, valued at $12 million—a groundbreaking deal for a female athlete at the time. Five years later, in 2000, she renewed her partnership with Reebok, signing a $40 million deal over five years, which was then the largest endorsement contract ever awarded to a female athlete.
Did Venus Williams Turn Down a Nike Deal?
Yes, as depicted in the film King Richard, Venus famously turned down a $3 million endorsement offer from Nike just before her comeback match. She believed she could secure a better deal once she proved herself again on the court—a decision that paid off.
What Is Venus Williams’ Net Worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Venus Williams’ estimated net worth stands at an impressive $95 million.
FAQs
Is Venus Williams going to retire?
Venus recently announced that she would be joining TNT’s commentary crew, which sparked rumors amongst fans that maybe she had already retired from tennis. However, Venus denied those claims and said she is not done with playing yet.
What is Venus Williams’ disability?
In 2011, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Sjögren’s Syndrome. The joint pain and fatigue were impacting my ability to function on a daily basis. I reached a point where I couldn’t play tennis anymore.
Is Venus Williams successful?
With four gold medals and one silver, Venus Williams is the most decorated tennis player in Olympic history ahead of her nearest rival, younger sister Serena (four golds). The two siblings’ careers are very much intertwined and have been involved in tennis for years, including the Olympic games.
Did Venus Williams have a child?
While Venus does not have any children of her own, she plays a strong role in sister Serena’s daughter’s upbringing.
What is Venus Williams diet?
The tennis star has followed a plant-based diet for more than 10 years and shared that she’s “never felt better.” Venus has more energy and feels she established a healthy balance in her eating patterns. “I still eat mostly plant-based foods like vegetables and plant-based protein, but I’m not always perfect.