Let’s play a quick game. When you hear the name Venus Williams, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? A thunderous serve? That iconic beaded hairstyle from the 90s? Seven Grand Slam singles titles? For most of us, it’s the image of a titan on the tennis court, a pioneer who, along with her sister Serena, changed the game forever.
Now, let’s talk numbers. What do you think the Venus Williams net worth is? Take a guess. Is it $20 million? $50 million? Maybe a cool $75 million?
The most commonly cited figure hovers around $95 million (or roughly ₹790 crores). And look, that’s an astronomical amount of money. But here’s the thing, and this is what truly fascinates me: that number is the least interesting part of her story. The real story isn’t the what. It’s the how and the why. It’s a masterclass in turning athletic genius into a self-sustaining empire, long after the final match point has been played. So grab your coffee, and let’s break down the blueprint of an icon who became a CEO.
Beyond the Prize Money | The Real Engine of Venus’s Wealth
It’s easy to assume that the bulk of an athlete’s fortune comes from, well, playing their sport. And Venus has certainly been paid handsomely for her on-court dominance. Over her incredible three-decade career, she has amassed over $42 million in prize money alone. That puts her second on the all-time list for female players, right behind you guessed it her sister Serena.
But here’s the crucial insight: The Venus Williams prize money is just the seed capital. It’s the startup fund, not the final valuation.
Think about it. $42 million is a massive sum, but it doesn’t get you to a net worth of nearly $100 million, especially after taxes, coaching fees, travel, and all the other expenses of a top-tier athlete. The real engine of her wealth was built off the court, in boardrooms and design studios. She used her tennis fame not as a destination, but as a launchpad. And this is a fundamental shift in mindset that separates the rich athletes from the truly wealthy ones.
EleVen by Venus | More Than Just Another “Celeb Brand”
Let’s be honest, almost every celebrity has a clothing line or a perfume. Most are forgettable cash grabs. But EleVen by Venus is a different beast altogether. This isn’t some licensing deal where she just slaps her name on a product. This is her baby, founded way back in 2007 when the idea of an “athlete-led brand” wasn’t the trendy concept it is today.
What makes it so successful? Authenticity.
Venus wasn’t just the face; she was the target customer. She was a world-class athlete who wanted high-performance gear that also looked stylish and expressive. She couldn’t find it, so she created it. She famously went back to school to get a degree in fashion design to properly lead the company. That’s not just a talking point; it’s a statement of intent.
EleVen isn’t just about tennis skirts. It’s an activewear and wellness brand with a clear philosophy: to help women feel like an “EleVen out of 10.” From workout clothes to sunscreen (a collaboration that makes perfect sense for a tennis player), the brand is a direct extension of her own values. It’s this genuine connection that has allowed the brand to thrive in a hyper-competitive market and become a cornerstone of the Venus Williams business empire.
The Quiet Investor & Designer | V Starr and Beyond
This is the part of Venus’s portfolio that often flies under the radar, and it’s arguably the most impressive. While the world watched her on Centre Court, she was quietly building a second career. In 2002, she founded V Starr , a full-service commercial and residential interior design firm.
Let that sink in. At the peak of her athletic powers, she launched a high-end design firm. V Starr isn’t a hobby. It’s a serious business with major clients, designing everything from luxury condos for developer PMG to athletic facilities. She’s the CEO and principal designer, deeply involved in the creative process.
But her business acumen doesn’t stop there. Venus has been a savvy investor for years. She was an early investor in the wellness brand Asutra. She’s also a part-owner of the Miami Dolphins NFL team, an investment that has paid off handsomely. Unlike athletes who might splurge on flashy liabilities, Venus has consistently put her money into assets that grow in value. She understood the power of equity long before it became a buzzword for athletes.
The Sister Act | How Venus and Serena Redefined Endorsements
You can’t talk about Venus’s financial success without talking about the powerful duo of the Williams sisters. Together, they didn’t just break records; they broke the entire mold for athlete endorsements, particularly for female and Black athletes.
In the early days, they faced an uphill battle for lucrative deals, often being paid less than their white counterparts despite their superior rankings. But they persevered. Venus signed a landmark $40 million deal with Reebok in 2000, one of the largest ever for a female athlete at the time.
But what she and Serena did next was even more important. They shifted the paradigm from simple “endorsements” to “partnerships.” They demanded more than just a paycheck; they wanted equity, a seat at the table, and creative control. This move has had a ripple effect across the entire sports industry. Today, when you see athletes like LeBron James or Naomi Osaka taking ownership stakes in brands, they are walking a path that Venus and Serena helped pave. Their fight for equal pay and respect fundamentally changed the earning potential for generations of athletes to come, making their legacy much larger than a simple comparison of the Venus Williams net worth vs. the Serena Williams net worth .
Frequently Asked Questions About Venus Williams’s Wealth
What is Venus Williams’s estimated net worth in 2024?
As of 2024, Venus Williams’s net worth is estimated to be around $95 million (approximately ₹790 crores). This figure is an estimate based on her career earnings, businesses, and investments.
How much has Venus Williams earned in prize money?
Throughout her professional tennis career, Venus Williams has earned over $42.6 million in on-court prize money, making her one of the highest-earning female tennis players in history.
What are Venus Williams’s main businesses?
Her primary business ventures are her activewear brand, EleVen by Venus , and her interior design firm, V Starr . She also has a portfolio of strategic investments in companies like Asutra and holds a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins.
How does Venus Williams’s net worth compare to Serena’s?
While both sisters are incredibly successful, Serena Williams’s net worth is significantly higher, estimated to be over $290 million. This is due to her greater number of Grand Slam titles, which led to larger and more numerous endorsement deals, as well as her own highly successful venture capital firm, Serena Ventures.
Is Venus Williams still playing tennis?
Yes, while she plays a much more limited schedule, Venus Williams has not officially retired from professional tennis. She continues to compete in select tournaments, demonstrating her incredible longevity in the sport.
What is V Starr Interiors?
V Starr is Venus Williams’s professional interior design firm, which she founded in 2002. The company specializes in commercial and residential design and has worked on numerous high-profile projects across the United States.
Ultimately, the number $95 million is just a snapshot. It doesn’t capture the decades of resilience, the foresight to build businesses while at the top of her game, or the courage to demand her worth in a world that wasn’t always ready to give it. Venus Williams didn’t just earn a fortune; she architected it. Her true net worth lies not in her bank account, but in the blueprint she created for every athlete who dares to dream beyond the confines of the court.
