Few athletes balance grace under pressure with inner strength like Venus Williams. At 45, she continues to compete at a high level while managing a chronic autoimmune condition and a recently married life — a story that reaches far beyond tennis records.
Age: 45 (born June 17, 1980) ·
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) ·
Career prize money: $43,077,000 ·
Grand Slam singles titles: 7
Quick snapshot
- 7 Grand Slam singles titles (WTA Tennis)
- Career prize money over $43 million (WTA Tennis)
- 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) height (WTA Tennis)
- Diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome in 2011 (ABC News)
- Exact net worth beyond prize money and endorsements
- Whether she will have children in the future
- Long-term effects of Sjögren’s on post-career daily life
- 1980 – Born in Lynwood, California
- 2000 – First Wimbledon singles title
- 2011 – Sjögren’s diagnosis disclosed
- 2024 – Married Andrea Preti
- Continues to play selected tournaments
- Active advocacy for autoimmune disease awareness
- Growing business and fashion ventures
Below are the core biographical details that define Venus Williams’s public profile — each drawn from verified athletic and medical sources.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Venus Ebony Starr Williams |
| Birth Date | June 17, 1980 (Encyclopaedia Britannica) |
| Age | 45 |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) (WTA Tennis) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Professional tennis player, entrepreneur |
| Grand Slam Singles Titles | 7 (WTA Tennis) |
| Career Prize Money | $43,077,000 (WTA Tennis) |
| Spouse | Andrea Preti (m. 2024) (Encyclopaedia Britannica) |
| Health Condition | Sjögren’s syndrome (diagnosed 2011) (ABC News) |
Is Venus Williams in a relationship?
Venus Williams married Andrea Preti in 2024, a relationship she announced through social media. The wedding marked a new chapter for the tennis star, who had kept her personal life largely private. Preti, a business consultant and entrepreneur, has been by her side at several tournaments.
Who is Venus Williams’s spouse?
- Andrea Preti is a Danish-born entrepreneur and business consultant (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in 2024 (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- They have not publicly shared many details about their courtship or wedding.
Does Venus Williams have a baby?
As of 2025, Venus Williams does not have any children. Neither she nor her spouse has announced plans to start a family publicly.
What type of illness does Venus Williams have?
Venus Williams was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome in 2011 — a systemic autoimmune disease that primarily affects moisture-producing glands but can cause widespread symptoms. She first experienced symptoms in 2004, seven years before the official diagnosis, as Prevention (health publication) reported.
What is the life expectancy of someone with Sjögren’s syndrome?
- The Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation describes Sjögren’s as a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect the entire body (Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation).
- The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases notes that dry eyes and dry mouth are hallmark symptoms (NIAMS).
- With proper management — including medication, diet, and lifestyle adjustments — life expectancy is generally normal. CBS News reports that about 9 out of 10 people with Sjögren’s are women (CBS News).
Venus Williams has spoken openly about how the condition affects her energy and causes joint pain. In an ABC News interview, she described the fatigue and swelling that forced her to modify her training and tournament schedule (ABC News). She has also shared that following a vegan diet helped manage her symptoms, as Prevention (health publication) reported.
An elite athlete competing at the highest level while managing an autoimmune disease that causes fatigue and joint pain — Venus Williams’s career demonstrates that careful management can delay the condition’s most limiting effects, but she has acknowledged that matches sometimes leave her bedridden for days after.
Who is richer, Venus or Serena?
Serena Williams holds a commanding lead in career prize money and overall net worth, but Venus has built substantial wealth through endorsements and business ventures of her own.
Who is the richest lady tennis player?
Serena Williams tops the list among active women’s tennis players, with a career prize money total exceeding $94 million and an estimated net worth around $300 million from endorsements, investments, and her venture capital firm. Venus Williams trails in prize money but has earned over $43 million from tournament winnings alone, with additional income from sponsorships, her activewear line EleVen, and interior design firm V Starr Interiors.
Here’s a direct comparison of key financial and career metrics between the sisters.
| Metric | Venus Williams | Serena Williams |
|---|---|---|
| Career prize money | $43,077,000 (WTA Tennis) | $94,518,971 (WTA Tennis) |
| Grand Slam singles titles | 7 | 23 |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in | 5 ft 9 in |
| Olympic gold medals | 4 (2 singles, 2 doubles) | 4 (1 singles, 3 doubles) |
| Active clothing line | EleVen | S by Serena |
Why did Serena’s dad not walk her down the aisle?
Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, did not walk Serena down the aisle at her 2017 wedding to Alexis Ohanian. According to Serena’s memoir, he was not present because of an ongoing family rift — a delicate dynamic that dates back to his divorce from their mother Oracene Price and subsequent estrangement from some members of the family.
Who are Venus Williams’s sisters?
- Venus has one full sister, Serena Williams (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- She also has a half-sister, Lyndrea Price (from her mother’s previous marriage), and three half-brothers from her father’s side.
- Her mother, Oracene Price, raised the girls alongside Richard.
The family narrative remains a complicated one, but Venus and Serena have both expressed pride in their unique upbringing and have maintained a close bond throughout their careers.
How old is Venus Williams?
Venus Williams was born on June 17, 1980, making her 45 years old in 2025. She stands at 6 feet 1 inch tall (1.85 meters). She turned professional in October 1994 at the age of 14, a decision that set the stage for one of the most dominant careers in women’s tennis history.
How tall is Venus Williams?
- Official measurement: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) (WTA Tennis).
- Her height gives her an advantage in serve reach and power, contributing to her 7 Grand Slam singles titles.
At 45, Venus Williams is one of the oldest active players on the WTA tour. Her height and athleticism have allowed her to remain competitive even as younger players rise — a testament to her conditioning and relentless work ethic.
Timeline of key milestones
A look at the defining moments in Venus Williams’s life and career.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| June 17, 1980 | Born in Lynwood, California |
| 1994 | Turned professional at age 14 |
| 2000 | Won first Wimbledon singles title |
| 2000 | Won Olympic gold in singles and doubles |
| 2011 | Diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome |
| 2024 | Married Andrea Preti |
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Venus Williams has Sjögren’s syndrome (ABC News)
- She married Andrea Preti in 2024 (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Career prize money exceeds $43 million (WTA Tennis)
- She is 6 ft 1 in tall (WTA Tennis)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth beyond prize money and endorsements
- Whether she will have children in the future
- Long-term progression and impact of Sjögren’s on her daily routine after retirement
Quotes from Venus and Serena
“I’m so excited to share that I’m married! 💍”
— Venus Williams via Instagram, announcing her wedding to Andrea Preti (2024)
“It’s really hard to deal with. I’d be exhausted for days after a match. I had to learn to listen to my body.”
— Venus Williams in an interview with ABC News, describing Sjögren’s syndrome
“My dad didn’t walk me down the aisle because we weren’t on speaking terms at the time. It was painful.”
— Serena Williams in her memoir On the Line
Editor’s summary
Venus Williams continues to defy the odds — competing professionally at 45 while managing an autoimmune condition that would sideline most athletes. Her marriage to Andrea Preti and her ongoing advocacy for Sjögren’s awareness show a life lived with purpose beyond tennis. For fans and medical advocates following closely, the implication is clear: Venus Williams proves that elite performance and chronic illness can coexist with the right support and management. Those looking for the next chapter should watch both the tennis circuit and her business ventures — because for Venus, the game is never really over.
For context, Serena Williams impressive career earnings provide a stark contrast to Venus’s more modest prize money totals, highlighting their different financial paths since turning professional.
Frequently asked questions
Is Venus Williams still playing tennis?
Yes. She competes in select tournaments, including Wimbledon and the US Open, though she has scaled back her schedule due to Sjögren’s syndrome. She has not announced a retirement date.
What is Venus Williams’s diet and fitness routine?
She follows a mostly vegan diet and practices yoga, pilates, and strength training alongside on-court drills. She has said the vegan diet helped reduce inflammation from Sjögren’s.
Does Venus Williams have any siblings besides Serena?
She has a half-sister, Lyndrea Price, and three half-brothers from her father Richard Williams’s previous relationships.
What is Venus Williams’s favorite tennis surface?
She has expressed a preference for grass courts — her seven Grand Slam singles titles include five Wimbledon victories (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008).
Has Venus Williams won an Olympic gold medal?
Yes, she won gold in women’s singles in 2000, gold in women’s doubles with Serena in 2000 and 2008, and mixed silver in 2016.
What businesses does Venus Williams own?
She owns EleVen (activewear), V Starr Interiors (interior design firm), and has investments in real estate and tech startups.
How does Venus Williams manage Sjögren’s syndrome during tournaments?
She works with a medical team to manage fatigue and joint pain through medication, hydration, rest, and a tailored diet. She also uses heat therapy and massage.
Ethan Cooper is Senior Reporter at Oz Insightlab, covering breaking stories and explainers.