Hello, Tennis fans! If you love following the Tennis and admire world-class, Venus Williams is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Venus Williams is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, with a long, successful career, huge prize money, big endorsement deals and, as of 2026, a settled married life with actor Andrea Preti. Below is a simple, detailed breakdown of her life, career, money and records, kept to verified information only.
Venus Williams’ Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Venus Ebony Starr Williams |
| Nickname | Queen V |
| Birth Date | June 17, 1980 |
| Age | 45 years old |
| Birthplace | Lynwood, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Turned Professional | October 31, 1994 (Age 14) |
| Current Net Worth | $65 million |
| Annual Salary | Varies; 2025 earnings: $218,786 from prize money |
| Spouse | Andrea Preti |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @venuswilliams |
| College Education | Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Indiana University East (2015) |
Early Career
Venus’s entry into professional tennis was unconventional and remarkably early. She turned professional on October 31, 1994, at just 14 years old, before the WTA’s Capriati Rule could restrict her participation. Her first match was against Shaun Stafford at the Bank of the West Classic in Oakland, which she won.
Though she played sporadically from 1994 to 1996, competing in only a handful of tournaments, her potential was evident. In 1997, at age 17, she reached the U.S. Open finals as an unseeded player, losing to Martina Hingis but immediately capturing the tennis world’s attention. This run marked her breakthrough moment, and her powerful serve and athletic prowess suggested a bright future ahead.
Professional Career
Venus’s professional career reached extraordinary heights beginning in 1998. She won her first WTA title at Hamburg, followed by victories at Rome and other prestigious tournaments. In 2000, she achieved a watershed moment by winning Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, becoming the first African American woman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Althea Gibson. She replicated this success in 2001, capturing both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open again.
Between 2002 and 2003, she reached four consecutive Grand Slam finals but lost each to her younger sister Serena, who emerged as the dominant force. Despite this, Venus continued accumulating titles, winning additional Grand Slams in 2005, 2007, and 2008 at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. She reached world number one ranking in February 2002, becoming the first African American woman to achieve this in the Open Era.
In 2011, Venus’s career was dramatically affected by her diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease causing fatigue, dry eyes, and joint pain. She adapted her approach, managing her condition through diet and training modifications while continuing to compete selectively. Her resilience was evident when she returned to Grand Slam finals in 2017 at the Australian Open, reaching the championship match at age 36.
Husband
Venus remains married to Andrea Preti as of 2026. She does not have biological children, though she maintains a close relationship with her extended family, including her sister Serena Williams and their parents. Venus has spoken openly about her evolving perspective on motherhood and family life, suggesting potential future plans, though she has no children currently. Her marriage to Preti marks a significant chapter in her personal life, and she has publicly credited his support as instrumental in her continued professional comeback.
Venus Williams’ Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Venus Williams has an estimated net worth of $65 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth and leading financial publications. Her wealth is diversified across multiple revenue streams. Approximately $42.6 million derives from career prize money accumulated since turning pro in 1994, making her one of the highest-earning female tennis players in history. The remaining wealth comes from endorsement deals and lucrative business investments. Beyond tennis, Venus has built substantial wealth through her activewear brand EleVen, launched in 2007, real estate holdings valued around $17.7 million, luxury vehicles, and strategic investments including a stake in the Miami Dolphins. Her business acumen, complemented by her 2015 business degree from Indiana University East, has enabled her to manage these ventures effectively while maintaining an active professional tennis schedule.
Prize Money
| Year | Prize Money | Singles Titles | Doubles Titles | Matches W-L |
| 2025 | $218,786 | 0 | 0 | 1-3 |
| 2024 | $53,300 | 0 | 0 | 0-2 |
| 2023 | $192,294 | 0 | 0 | 3-7 |
| 2022 | $122,563 | 0 | 0 | 0-4 |
| 2021 | $322,257 | 0 | 0 | 3-9 |
| 2020 | $221,746 | 0 | 0 | 1-8 |
| 2019 | $805,490 | 0 | 0 | 19-15 |
| 2018 | $1,030,559 | 0 | 0 | 17-11 |
| 2017 | $5,468,741 | 0 | 0 | 38-14 |
| 2016 | $1,823,733 | 1 | 1 | 26-15 |
| 2010 | $2,614,782 | 2 | 3 | 38-7 |
| 2009 | $3,126,894 | 2 | 4 | 38-16 |
| 2008 | $3,766,315 | 3 | 2 | 40-11 |
| Career Total | $42,871,439 | 49 | 22 | 819-281 |
Endorsements
Venus has maintained an extensive endorsement portfolio throughout her career, diversifying across multiple industries and brands:
- American Express – Brand ambassador since 2016, featuring in multiple advertising campaigns
- Lacoste – Global brand ambassador since March 2022, with collaborative clothing collections with her EleVen line
- Wilson Sporting Goods – Long-standing partner for over two decades, supplying racquets and equipment
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Association – Collaborator since 2021, speaking on healthcare bias, Sjögren’s syndrome awareness, and wellness
- GhostBed – Mattress brand ambassador (January 2022), launching custom “Venus Williams Legend” mattress series
- Nike – Long-term sponsor collaborating on body confidence initiatives for young girls
- Stitch Fix – Online personal styling partnership (January 2022)
- Asutra – Chief Brand Officer and investor in this natural cosmetics company (May 2019)
- Dove – Partnership through parent company Unilever on body confidence programs (October 2023)
- Nestlé Purina PetCare – Collaboration on fitness challenges (March 2023)
- Reebok – Historic partner with multiple major deals; first endorsement was $12 million in 1995 at age 15, followed by a groundbreaking $40 million five-year deal in 2000
- PlantX Life – Investor and ambassador promoting plant-based products (April 2021)
- Zeel – Board member and advisor to the wellness platform (October 2019)
- Credit Karma – Partnership on Equal Pay initiatives (March 2022)
- Past Partners – Tide, Kraft Foods, Electronic Arts, Ralph Lauren, Venus Concept, Clif Bar & Co., and others
Career Records
| Opponent | Overall Record | Grand Slam Record | Notable Encounters |
| Serena Williams (Sister) | 12-19 | 5-11 | Nine Grand Slam finals; last meeting 2019 |
| Martina Hingis | Multiple wins | Defeated in Wimbledon QF 2000 | Rival during 1990s-2000s era |
| Lindsay Davenport | Multiple wins | Defeated in Wimbledon Final 2000 | Contemporary rival |
| Monica Seles | Multiple encounters | Competitive history | Rival during career peak |
| Kim Clijsters | Multiple competitive matches | Various tournament meetings | 2000s contemporary |
| Mary Pierce | Multiple wins | Hamburg final victory 1998 | Historic rival |
FAQs
1. What is Venus Williams’ nationality?
Venus Williams is American, born in Lynwood, California. She represents the United States in all international tennis competitions and has been instrumental in elevating American women’s tennis on the global stage.
2. How did Venus Williams develop her tennis game?
Venus was introduced to tennis by her father, Richard Williams, on the public courts of Los Angeles in the 1980s. She practiced alongside her sister Serena, developing her powerful serve and athleticism under her parents’ coaching. After moving to Florida at age ten, she attended Rick Macci’s tennis academy before her father resumed coaching responsibilities.
3. What is Sjögren’s syndrome, and how has it affected Venus’s career?
Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body’s saliva and tear glands, causing dry mouth, dry eyes, joint pain, and severe fatigue. Venus was diagnosed in 2011 after seven years of struggling with unexplained symptoms. She managed the condition through dietary changes, including adopting a raw vegan diet, and modified training regimens, allowing her to continue competing at the highest levels despite the disease’s challenges.
4. How many Grand Slam titles has Venus Williams won?
Venus has won seven Grand Slam singles titles: five at Wimbledon (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008) and two at the U.S. Open (2000, 2001). Additionally, she has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles exclusively with her sister Serena and 2 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.
5. What is Venus Williams’ relationship with her sister Serena?
Venus and Serena share a complex relationship characterized by both sisterly love and fierce competitive rivalry. They’ve faced each other 31 times professionally, with Serena leading their overall head-to-head record 19-12. Despite competing against each other, the sisters have been undefeated in Grand Slam doubles, winning 14 titles together. Their relationship has inspired millions and challenged traditional narratives about female athletic competition.
6. Why did Venus Williams pursue a college degree?
In 2011, Venus began an online degree program at Indiana University East because she wanted the business skills necessary to manage her growing business ventures more effectively. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2015, becoming the first athlete to graduate through a partnership between IUE, the Women’s Tennis Association, and the Women’s Tennis Benefit Association. She emphasized that this wasn’t an honorary degree but was earned through rigorous coursework.
7. What are Venus Williams’ business ventures beyond tennis?
Venus founded EleVen, an activewear and fashion line launched in 2007, which has become highly successful. She’s also Chief Brand Officer of Asutra, a natural cosmetics company; an investor in the Miami Dolphins; an investor in PlantX Life, a plant-based ecommerce platform; and serves as a board member of Zeel, an on-demand wellness platform. These ventures generate substantial income independent of her tennis career.
8. Who is Venus Williams married to?
Venus married Andrea Preti, a 37-year-old Italian-Danish actor and model, in December 2025. The couple met at a Gucci fashion show in Milan in July 2024 and became engaged in January 2025. They’ve celebrated their marriage with two wedding ceremonies in Italy and Florida, and Andrea has been credited with supporting Venus’s comeback to professional tennis.
9. How many followers does Venus Williams have on Instagram?
Venus has over 2.1 million followers on Instagram under the handle @venuswilliams. She uses the platform to share insights about tennis, wellness, fashion, her business ventures, and personal moments. Her engagement rate averages 0.80%, with posts typically garnering thousands of likes and hundreds of comments.
10. What was Venus Williams’ most significant sponsorship deal?
Venus’s most significant endorsement deal was the 1995 Reebok contract worth $12 million, signed when she was just 15 years old, making her the richest-ever endorsement deal for a female tennis player at that time. In 2000, she signed an even larger five-year deal with Reebok worth $40 million, which was at the time the most lucrative endorsement deal ever awarded to any female athlete.