Serena Williams.

Serena Jameka Williams

Born 26 Sep 1981 Saginaw, United States

Citizenship United States

Age 44 yr Today

14 min read

Reading time

2,685

Words

Mar 1, 2026

Published

Film credits

Awards

TL;DR

Serena Williams won her first Grand Slam title at the 1999 US Open and claimed 23 major singles titles, the most in the Open Era. She completed the Serena Slam from 2002 to 2003, defeating sister Venus in four major finals. Beyond tennis, she appeared in TV shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and The Simpsons, and voiced characters in Avatar: The Last Airbender. She married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in 2017 and has two daughters, Olympia and Adira.

Identity & family.

KIN · 4

Names, aliases, and relatives of Serena Williams — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Serena Jameka Williams

Aliases President Lyndon B. Johnson, S.Williams, S. Williams, Williams

PARENTS: Oracene Price Richard A Williams Jr
SPOUSES: Alexis Ohanian
SIBLINGS: Venus Williams

At a glance.

STATS

Serena Williams by the numbers — life, work, and family.

44 Age

78 Film credits

22 Awards

1 Marriage

Who is Serena Williams?

BIOGRAPHY

Serena Williams — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

The youngest of five girls, Serena Williams was born in 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan, to Richard and Oracene Williams. Her father Richard, a self-taught coach, began training Serena and older sister Venus on public tennis courts in Compton, California. The family moved to Florida when Serena was nine to attend Rick Macci’s tennis academy, where she and Venus developed a powerful playing style. Serena was homeschooled and later studied at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and the Isenberg School of Management.

Career

Serena Williams won her first Grand Slam title at the 1999 US Open, defeating Martina Hingis. In 2002, she won the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, beating Venus in all three finals, then won the 2003 Australian Open to complete the Serena Slam. She claimed 23 Grand Slam singles titles across her career, including seven Australian Opens, six Wimbledons, six US Opens, and three French Opens. She also won Olympic gold medals in doubles with Venus at the 2000 Sydney Games and 2008 Beijing Games. Off the court, she acted in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 2006 as Chloe Spiers and guest-starred on The Simpsons 2014 as herself.

Personal life

Serena Williams married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans in 2017, after meeting him in a Rome hotel. They have two daughters: Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., born September 1, 2017, and Adira River Ohanian, born August 22, 2023. Her older sister Yetunde Price was murdered in Compton, California in 2003. She lives in Palm Beach, Florida, with sister Venus and their dogs, and is a limited partner of the Miami Dolphins.

Legacy

Serena Williams holds 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era. She is one of only five women to hold all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously, which she achieved in 2002. She won five Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year awards and was named to Time’s 100 most influential people in 2010, 2014, and 2025. Beyond tennis, she launched a clothing line called Aneres and endorsed brands including Nike and Gatorade. At the 2017 Australian Open, she won her 23rd Grand Slam while two months pregnant.

Filmography.

FILMS · 78

Browse the complete filmography of Serena Williams — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

1999
TV

The Simpsons

1989
TV

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014
TV

The Daily Show

1996
TV

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2015
TV

Hot Ones

2015
TV

The Legend of Korra

2012
TV

Avatar: the Last Airbender

2005
TV

Project Runway

2004
TV

Hollywood Squares

1998
TV

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

2003
TV

The Division

2001
TV

America's Next Top Model

2003
TV

The Bernie Mac Show

2001

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 9

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Serena Williams — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year
Best Female Tennis Player ESPY Award
Best Female Athlete ESPY Award
NAACP Image Award – President's Award
Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year
Michigan Women's Hall of Fame
California Hall of Fame
L'Équipe Champion of Champions
Associated Press Athlete of the Year

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 6

A wall of memorable lines from Serena Williams — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

I’m Afraid I’m Already a Shopaholic. Fortunately, I’m No Longer in Denial, and the First Step to Recovering Is Getting Out of Denial.
I’ve Always Said That I’m Insatiable.
I Could Lose 20 Pounds and I’m Still Going to Have These Knockers and I’m Going to Have This Ass, and That’s Just the Way It Is.addressing Her Fitness Level After Winning the 2007 Australian Open
You Never Fail If You Try. You Only Fail If You Don’t Try. Go Out There and Try Whatever You Are Dreaming Of!
For All Their Practice, Preparation and Confidence, Even the Best Competitors in Every Sport Have a Voice of Doubt Inside Them That Says They Are Not Good Enough. I Am Lucky That Whatever Fear I Have Inside Me, My Desire to Win Is Always Stronger.
My Sister and I Boycotted Indian Wells for 14 Years Due to a Separate, Unfortunate Experience. but When I Did Return in 2015 I Saw so Many People Young Kids, Young Black Girls so Excited to See Me. One Girl Was Holding up a Sign That Read STRAIGHT OUT oF COMPTON That’s Where My Sister and I First Learned to Play Tennis. to See That Little Girl Having the Dream to Play Tennis Too Was Incredible. in That Moment, I Realized My Presence There Was Helping People. I Was Able to Embrace That Moment and Fully Appreciate It.

Did you know?

FACTS · 40

Little-known facts about Serena Williams — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Along with Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Margaret Court, and Maureen Connolly, Serena Williams is one of only five women to hold all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously, which she achieved in 2002.
At age 35 and about two months pregnant with her daughter Olympia, Serena beat Venus in the 2017 Australian Open final to win her 23rd Grand Slam singles title.
Serena’s elder sister Yetunde Price was murdered in Compton, California in the fall of 2003.
She speaks French fluently enough to conduct press conferences in the language.
She lives in Palm Beach, Florida with sister Venus and two dogs, Jackie a Jack Russell terrier and Lauralie a Maltese, and they became limited partners of the Miami Dolphins.
Serena is the youngest of five sisters.
She is a certified fashion designer with her own clothing line called Aneres, which is her name spelled backwards.
On January 25, 2003, she won the Australian Open to complete the Grand Slam; that moment was ranked #10 in TV Guide’s list of the 25 Most Awesome Sports Moments of the last 15 years.
She has three half-sisters: Lyndrea, Isha, and Yetunde deceased.
She was the 1999 US Open champion.
Her father Richard is her coach.
Her scenes in her first movie Black Knight 2001 were cut.
She is the younger sister of Venus Williams.
She won the 2000 Olympics doubles competition with her sister Venus.
She co-authored a book with Venus titled How to Play Tennis: Learn How to Play Tennis with the Williams Sisters.
She was on the Time 100 list of the most influential people in 2010, 2014, and 2025.
She has endorsements with Nike, Wilson, Gatorade, OPI, Tampax, Hewlett-Packard, Kraft, and Puma.
She won the 2007 Australian Open, defeating Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-2 to win her eighth major title.
In 2007, she won the Sony Ericsson Open for the fourth time, including a 6-1, 6-1 win over Sharapova and a comeback final against Justine Henin 0-6, 7-5, 6-3.
As of 2017, her career prize money was $84 million, making her the highest-paid female athlete, with an 86% match-win rate.
Among her pets were a Yorkshire terrier named Petey after Pete Sampras, Jackie the Jack Russell, and Bambi the pitbull.
She appeared in an infomercial for The Tony Robbins Ultimate Edge system, hosted by Anthony Robbins and Tom Selleck.
She also appeared in a Proactiv Solution infomercial hosted by Vanessa Williams.
She released the book On the Line, written with Daniel Paisner.
In 2006, she missed the French Open and Wimbledon due to injuries and dropped to 95 in the world rankings.
She has two daughters: Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. b. September 1, 2017 and Adira River Ohanian b. August 22, 2023 with husband Alexis Ohanian.
She appeared naked and pregnant on the August 2017 cover of Vanity Fair, a trend started by Demi Moore in 1991.
She married Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans after a 10-month engagement, with their 2-month-old daughter Olympia in attendance.
She met her husband Alexis Ohanian by chance in her hotel during a trip to Rome.
She is the daughter of Richard Williams and Oracene Price.
She dropped to #6 in ranks in 2004 due to knee injuries and withdrew from the 2004 Australian Open despite being defending champion.
She won her seventh major title at the 2005 Australian Open, saving match points against Maria Sharapova in the semifinals and defeating Lindsay Davenport in the final.
A book about her and Venus, Venus and Serena Williams: Athletes by Anne M. Todd, was released.
She attended the Royal Wedding of friend Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, wearing a pink Gianni Versace dress.
Besides tennis, she does not like to work out much.
Forbes estimated her 2007 earnings at $14 million.
She is friends with Andy Roddick, Brandy Norwood, Kelly Rowland, Eva Longoria, Meghan Markle, and La La Anthony.
She had a small feud with Jelena Jankovic about practice court time.
As of January 2017, her net worth was $24.6 million.
Her pregnancy craving was green vegetables.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 46

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Serena Williams.

When was Serena Williams born?

Serena Williams was born on September 26, 1981. She is currently 44 years old.
Where was Serena Williams born?

She was born in Saginaw, Michigan, USA. Her birthplace is often noted in sports biographies.
What is Serena Williams's real name?

Her full birth name is Serena Jameka Williams. She is known professionally as Serena Williams.
How tall is Serena Williams?

Serena Williams stands 5 feet 9 inches tall, or 1.75 meters. Her height has been an asset in her powerful tennis game.
What does Serena Williams do for a living?

She is a professional tennis player, actor, and producer. She has also appeared in TV shows and films.
What nationality is Serena Williams?

She is American. She was born in the United States and represents the US in international competition.
What languages does Serena Williams speak?

Her native language is English. She also speaks French well enough to do press conferences in French.
Who are Serena Williams's parents?

Her parents are Oracene Price and Richard A. Williams Jr. Her father coached her and Venus from a young age.
Who is Serena Williams married to?

She is married to Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit. They married in New Orleans on November 16, 2017.
Does Serena Williams have siblings?

She has one sister, Venus Williams, also a tennis champion. She also has three half-sisters: Lyndrea, Isha, and Yetunde deceased. She is the youngest of five girls.
Where did Serena Williams go to school?

She was homeschooled for much of her childhood. She later attended The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
What awards has Serena Williams won?

She has won numerous awards including the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year, multiple ESPY Awards, the NAACP Image Award President’s Award, and the Associated Press Athlete of the Year five times. She is also inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame and California Hall of Fame.
How many Grand Slam titles has Serena Williams won?

She has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era. She also has 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with Venus.
What is Serena Williams best known for?

She is best known as a tennis legend, but she has also acted in TV shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and The Simpsons. She has appeared in films and as a guest on talk shows.
What is Serena Williams's Instagram?

Her Instagram handle is @serenawilliams. She shares personal and professional updates there.
What are some aliases Serena Williams has used?

She has been known by aliases such as President Lyndon B. Johnson, S.Williams, S. Williams, and Williams. These may be used in credits or nicknames.
How old was Serena Williams when she won her first Grand Slam?

She was 17 years old when she won the 1999 US Open, defeating Martina Hingis in the final.
Did Serena Williams complete the Serena Slam?

Yes, she won four consecutive Grand Slam singles titles from the 2002 French Open to the 2003 Australian Open, a feat known as the Serena Slam. She defeated Venus in all four finals.
Is Serena Williams involved in fashion?

Yes, she is a certified fashion designer and launched her own clothing line called Aneres, which is her name spelled backwards.
Who coached Serena Williams?

Her father Richard Williams coached her and Venus from an early age. She has also worked with other coaches like Patrick Mouratoglou.
What is Serena Williams's net worth?

As of January 2017, her net worth was estimated at $24.6 million. Her career prize money has exceeded $84 million, making her the highest-paid female athlete.
How many children does Serena Williams have?

She has two daughters: Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., born September 1, 2017, and Adira River Ohanian, born August 22, 2023.
What is Serena Williams's connection to the Miami Dolphins?

She and her sister Venus became limited partners of the Miami Dolphins NFL team. They are part of the ownership group.
Did Serena Williams win a Grand Slam while pregnant?

Yes, she won the 2017 Australian Open while about two months pregnant with her daughter Olympia. She beat Venus in the final.
What TV shows has Serena Williams appeared in?

She has appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Chloe Spiers, The Simpsons as herself, and voiced characters in Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.
What is Serena Williams's favorite food craving?

During her pregnancy, she craved green vegetables. She has mentioned this in interviews.
Has Serena Williams ever been on the cover of Vanity Fair?

Yes, she appeared naked and pregnant on the August 2017 cover of Vanity Fair, following a trend started by Demi Moore.
What is Serena Williams's clothing line called?

Her clothing line is called Aneres, which is her name spelled backwards. She is a certified fashion designer.
Who is Serena Williams's older sister?

Her older sister is Venus Williams, also a world-renowned tennis player. They have played each other in many Grand Slam finals.
What happened to Serena Williams's sister Yetunde?

Yetunde Price, Serena’s half-sister, was murdered in Compton, California in the fall of 2003. It was a tragic event for the family.
Does Serena Williams speak French?

Yes, she speaks French well enough to conduct press conferences in the language. She often uses it in interviews.
What is Venus Williams's relationship to Serena?

Venus is Serena’s older sister and tennis partner. They have won multiple Grand Slam doubles titles together and are close.
How many Grand Slam doubles titles has Serena Williams won?

She has won 14 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles with Venus, plus two mixed doubles titles.
What is Serena Williams's career prize money?

As of 2017, her career prize money was $84 million, the highest among female athletes at that time.
What is the name of Serena Williams's first book?

She co-wrote How to Play Tennis: Learn How to Play Tennis with the Williams Sisters with Venus. She also authored On the Line with Daniel Paisner.
What is Serena Williams's education background?

She was homeschooled and later attended The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and the Isenberg School of Management.
What is Serena Williams's height?

She is 5 feet 9 inches 1.75 meters tall.
What is Serena Williams's favorite tennis surface?

She has excelled on all surfaces, winning multiple titles on hard courts, grass, and clay. Her record at Wimbledon and the Australian Open is particularly strong.
Has Serena Williams ever been ranked number 1?

Yes, she has been ranked world number 1 in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association for a total of 319 weeks, including several stints.
What is Serena Williams's connection to the Time 100?

She was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2010, 2014, and 2025.
Does Serena Williams have any pets?

Yes, she has had dogs including Jackie a Jack Russell terrier, Lauralie a Maltese, Petey a Yorkshire terrier named after Pete Sampras, and Bambi a pitbull.
What is Serena Williams's role in the movie Black Knight?

She filmed scenes for the 2001 movie Black Knight, but they were cut from the final release.
What is the name of Serena Williams's husband?

Her husband is Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit. They met in Rome and married in 2017.
What is Serena Williams's weakness?

She has said she doesn’t like to work out much outside of tennis. She also had a small dispute with Jelena Jankovic about practice court time.
How many ESPY Awards has Serena Williams won?

She has won multiple ESPY Awards, including Best Female Tennis Player and Best Female Athlete, but the exact count is not given in the source. She has at least 14 ESPY mentions.
What is Serena Williams's political involvement?

She has been outspoken on issues like equal pay and racial justice. She also attended the royal wedding of friend Meghan Markle.

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Audited & updated by

If something's wrong in a profile, Daniel will find it. With 7 years of research experience, he's developed an almost unreasonable eye for inaccurate career timelines, misattributed credits, and dates that don't quite add up. He doesn't publish anything he can't verify. The profiles on Famousy are as accurate as they are largely because of work you'll never see his name on.

Published on March 1, 2026

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Serena Williams.

TL;DR

Early life

Career

Personal life

Legacy

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

The Simpsons

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The Daily Show

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Hot Ones

The Legend of Korra

Avatar: the Last Airbender

Project Runway

Hollywood Squares

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

The Division

America's Next Top Model

The Bernie Mac Show