Serena Williams, an undisputed legend in the world of tennis and widely recognized as the greatest female player in the sport’s history, is on the cusp of reaching an astounding net worth of nearly $300 million.
Back in June 2023, Forbes listed Serena Williams among America’s Self-Made Women, with a net worth of $260 million. However, in the time that has since elapsed, her wealth has surged to an impressive $290 million.
At the age of 41, Serena continues to hold her status as one of the world’s highest-paid athletes, amassing approximately $300,000 in winnings.
Her financial prowess extends well beyond the tennis court, with endorsements alone valued at an astonishing $45 million.
In 2022, Serena Williams, a mother of two who recently welcomed her second child, gracefully concluded a storied tennis career during which she earned nearly $95 million in prize money. Having retired from professional sports, she has deftly redirected her wealth into venture capital investments in startups worldwide.
Serena Williams: Championing Diverse Ventures in Nigerian Startups
A year ago, Serena Williams established a $111 million venture fund through Serena Ventures, an investment firm she founded in 2014.
Serena Ventures has since thrown its support behind 30 companies spanning a diverse range of industries, including e-commerce, fashion, and social goods, aligning with its mission of promoting diverse leadership, individual empowerment, creativity, and opportunity.
Among the beneficiaries of Serena’s support is Andela, a company that epitomizes these values. Known for its diverse team of co-founders, executives, and local lead directors in the countries where it operates, Andela embodies Serena Ventures’ commitment to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship.
In addition to Andela, Serena Ventures has extended its backing to Coinbase, the San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange; Masterclass, the online learning platform; and Wave, a remittance service available in five African countries.
One particularly notable investment was Serena Williams’s venture capital firm injecting $3.3 million into Stears Inc., a Nigerian data and insights firm, last year.
This funding initiative, spearheaded by Serena Ventures and with support from MaC Enterprise Capital, Omidyar Group’s Luminate Fund, Melo 7 Tech Companions, and Cascador, marked Serena’s deepening interest in African companies.
Serena Williams has expressed her intent to intensify her investments in the African continent following her retirement from tennis after the 2023 US Open.
Diverse Avenues of Wealth for Serena Williams
While embarking on her second act, Serena Williams continues to maintain endorsement deals with over a dozen prominent brands, all while actively participating in the world of investments through her firm, Serena Ventures.
Also, she co-founded “Will Perform,” a startup that emerged in December 2022, dedicated to creating products for topical pain relief, muscle care, and skincare.
Expanding her horizons, Serena launched Nine Two Six Productions in April 2023, a multimedia company aimed at bolstering her role as a producer.
Additionally, Serena made a memorable cameo appearance in the 2022 film “Glass Onion.” Her contributions also extend to the literary world, with her first children’s book released in September 2022.
Serena Williams’s portfolio of achievements includes a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins, further solidifying her multifaceted and impressive legacy.
