Early Life and Education of Serena Williams: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Serena Williams. From birth to education, explore key events.

Serena Williams is a retired American professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. She held the world No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks and finished five years as the top-ranked player. Williams amassed 73 WTA singles titles, including a record-breaking 23 major women's singles titles in the Open Era, second only to Margaret Court's all time record. Notably, she is the only player to achieve a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles, demonstrating her unparalleled dominance and versatility in the sport.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

September 26, 1981: Serena Williams' Birth

On September 26, 1981, Serena Jameka Williams was born. She would later become a world-renowned American professional tennis player.

Others born on this day/year

1995: Father took over coaching

In 1995, when Serena Williams was in the ninth grade, her father pulled his daughters out of Macci's academy and took over all coaching at their home.

1999: Graduation and Puma Endorsement Deal

In 1999, Serena Williams graduated from Driftwood Academy and subsequently signed a $12 million endorsement deal with Puma.

2003: Murder of Half-Sister Yetunde in 2003

In 2003, Serena Williams' half-sister, Yetunde, was murdered, which Serena stated impacted her performance at the 2018 Silicon Valley Classic.

2003: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

In 2003, Williams posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

2004: US Open denim skirt and knee-high leg wraps

At the 2004 US Open, Serena Williams arrived in a denim skirt and knee-high leg wraps that looked like boots, which she was not allowed to wear during matches.

2004: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

In 2004, Williams posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

2005: Co-authored book Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip

In 2005, the Williams sisters co-authored the book Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning, which was written with Hilary Beard.

Venus and Serena: Serving from the Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning

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2006: Injury, Depression, and Comeback

In 2006, Serena Williams faced challenges including an injury at the Australian Open and struggles with depression, leading to a six-month break from tennis. She made a comeback in July, eventually reaching the semifinals in Cincinnati and Los Angeles. She finished the year ranked No. 95.

August 2009: Minority ownership of the Miami Dolphins

In August 2009, Serena and Venus Williams became minority owners of the Miami Dolphins, becoming the first African-American women to hold any amount of ownership in an NFL franchise.

2009: Launch of Signature Statement handbags and jewelry collection

In 2009, Serena Williams launched a signature collection of handbags and jewelry, Signature Statement, which is sold mainly on the Home Shopping Network.

2009: Release of autobiography On the Line and Tampax commercial

In 2009, Serena Williams released the autobiography On the Line. The same year, she appeared in online videos and print advertisements for Tampax Pearl tampons, becoming the first active female professional athlete to appear in advertising for a feminine hygiene product.

On the Line

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2010: Became a certified nail technician

In 2010, Serena Williams became a certified nail technician in preparation for her upcoming nail collection with HairTech.

2010: Assistance to Haiti earthquake victims

In 2010, Serena Williams, along with other ATP and WTA stars, decided to forgo their final day of preparation for the Australian Open to assist earthquake victims in Haiti.

March 2, 2011: Health Issues

On March 2, 2011, Serena Williams confirmed that she had suffered a hematoma and a pulmonary embolism.

2014: Hosting "The Serena Williams Ultimate Fun Run"

In 2014, Williams began hosting an annual charity run named "The Serena Williams Ultimate Fun Run" to support the Williams Sisters Fund.

2014: Founding of Serena Ventures

In 2014, Williams founded the venture capital firm Serena Ventures, which invests in start-up companies whose "perspectives and innovations level the playing field for women and people of color."

2015: Return to Indian Wells in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative

In 2015, Williams's return to Indian Wells (after a 14-year boycott) occurred in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization that provides legal representation to people who may have been denied a fair trial.

December 10, 2016: Engagement to Alexis Ohanian

On December 10, 2016, Alexis Ohanian proposed to Serena Williams.

2016: Open letter in Porter Magazine in support of gender equality

Also in 2016, Williams wrote an open letter in Porter Magazine's feature "Incredible Women of 2016" in support of gender equality and to share her personal struggles as a woman in tennis.

2016: Support for Black Lives Matter

In 2016, Serena Williams voiced her support for Black Lives Matter on her Facebook page.

2016: Founding the Yetunde Price Resource Center

In 2016, Serena and Venus Williams founded the Yetunde Price Resource Center in their childhood home of Compton in honor of their late half-sister Yetunde.

April 19, 2017: Announcement of Pregnancy

On April 19, 2017, Serena Williams revealed she was 20 weeks pregnant and would miss the rest of the season, meaning she was already pregnant when she won the Australian Open.

September 1, 2017: Birth of Daughter and Health Complications

On September 1, 2017, Serena Williams gave birth to a daughter, but subsequently suffered a pulmonary embolism, which delayed her return to training.

November 16, 2017: Marriage to Alexis Ohanian

On November 16, 2017, Serena Williams married Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans, with prominent personalities like Beyoncé, Anna Wintour, Kelly Rowland, and Kim Kardashian in attendance.

2017: Views on Jehovah's Witness Faith

In 2017, Serena Williams said she "never really practiced [the Jehovah's Witness faith]".

2017: Ambassador for Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse project

In 2017, Williams became Ambassador for the Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse project, an initiative to provide financial empowerment to domestic abuse victims.

2018: French Open catsuit and US Open black tutu

At the 2018 French Open, Serena Williams promoted her clothing line Serena by wearing a catsuit, which was subsequently banned by the French Tennis Federation. At the 2018 US Open, Williams wore a black tutu during her first match.

2018: Response to Tennys Sandgren's insensitive tweets

During American tennis player Tennys Sandgren's breakthrough run to the quarterfinals of the 2018 Australian Open, it was revealed that he tweeted insensitive words. Williams responded to him by saying, "I don't need or want [an apology]. But there is an entire group of people that deserves an apology."

February 2019: Appointment to Poshmark's board of directors

In February 2019, Williams was appointed to the board of directors of the online fashion marketplace Poshmark.

July 2020: Part of investors' group for National Women's Soccer League franchise

In July 2020, it was announced that Williams was part of a nearly all-women investors' group that was awarded a new franchise in the National Women's Soccer League.