Serena Williams, one of the most celebrated tennis players of all time, has amassed a net worth of $300 million, thanks to her career achievements, business ventures, and lucrative endorsements. Despite her retirement, her influence in sports and business remains strong. She is married to Alexis Ohanian, the 42-year-old internet entrepreneur and Reddit co-founder, who has a net worth of $150 million.
Teaching Olympia and Adira About Money
Serena and Alexis, married since 2017, are raising their two daughters, Olympia, 7, and Adira, 1, with a focus on financial education. The couple has implemented practical lessons on saving and earning money. Alexis shared that Olympia receives a weekly allowance of $7 for her personal expenses and savings, a decision that involved some negotiation, with Serena taking on the role of Olympia’s “lawyer” in the process.
Negotiating Olympia’s Allowance
Olympia’s chores, which include feeding the dog, making her bed, and putting clothes in the hamper, are part of the deal for her allowance. Alexis humorously mentioned that Serena crafted a formal contract to ensure Olympia understood the terms. Olympia even successfully negotiated for “weekends off” from her chores, only working five days a week.
Learning the Value of Delayed Gratification
Olympia once saved almost $100 from her allowance and wanted to buy a Tamagotchi watch worth $125. Alexis encouraged her to save for a few more weeks to cover the remaining cost. This cycle repeated when Olympia wanted an American Girl Doll dress but lacked the funds. Alexis emphasized the importance of understanding the effort required to earn money and the satisfaction that comes with working for it.
Instilling a Work Ethic for Future Independence
Both Serena and Alexis, having grown up without wealth, are committed to teaching Olympia the value of work. Alexis explained that he wanted Olympia to experience the “pain” of delayed gratification to foster an understanding that hard work leads to rewards. He highlighted the importance of building a foundation where their children can grow into independent adults with a healthy relationship with money.
Building the Right Mindset
Alexis concluded that their goal is to create a balance where Olympia learns the correlation between work and reward. He shared that he and Serena aim to help their children grow with the mindset of “work = reward” while also preparing them for a future where they can make sound financial decisions.
