Venus Williams.

Richard Williams coached Venus and her younger sister Serena on public courts in Compton. She entered the world on June 17, 1980, in Lynwood, California, to parents Oracene Price and Richard Williams. The family moved to Palm Beach, Florida, where Venus continued to develop her tennis skills on better facilities.

Venus Williams broke through in 2000 when she won both Wimbledon and the US Open singles titles. At the Sydney Olympics that same year, she became the second player to win gold in both singles and doubles in one Games, partnering Serena. She won five Wimbledon singles titles in 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2007, and 14 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles with Serena. In 2002, she became world No. 1, the first African American woman to do so. She reached 16 Grand Slam finals, most recently at Wimbledon in 2017, and holds the record for most Grand Slam appearances with 85 at the 2020 Australian Open.

Venus Williams was in a long-term relationship with pro golfer Hank Kuehne. In July 2025, she announced her engagement to Italian actor Andrea Preti. She lives in Palm Beach, Florida, with her sister Serena and two dogs. In June 2017, she was involved in a T-bone car accident that resulted in a death, but she was not under the influence. She has studied at Indiana University East and The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.

Venus Williams became the first African American woman to reach world No. 1 in 2002, breaking racial barriers. She and Serena transformed women’s tennis with their powerful play. She has won multiple ESPY Awards and the NAACP Image Award President’s Award. She is a limited owner of the Miami Dolphins. Her 85 Grand Slam appearances and Olympic medals at four Games are unmatched.