Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Remembers Late Mother’s Poignant Advice That Shaped His Great Business Mind

Alexis Ohanian seems to be an inexorable juggernaut with a grand vision set to emancipate women track athletes. Not just co founding media conglomerate Reddit but with his recent 776 Invitational track meet venture, Serena Williams‘ husband has scaled heights in business. His mother’s death 16 years ago was a “defining moment” in his life. Alexis Ohanian recently shared how the 42-year-old American tennis legend’s mother-in-law gave him one piece of advice that helped him become the prosperous businessman he is today.

A few years into the journey, in 2008, Ohanian experienced the heartbreaking loss of his mother while he continued to grow and scale Reddit. Still, her legacy served as a beacon of hope for the genius wunderkind. Following that, inspired by her legacy, he founded the 776 Foundation with the goal of empowering people with life-changing ideas. What was his mother’s advice that has stuck with him to this day as well?

Serena Williams’ husband surely has the mother of the millenium

During the 2024 graduating class’s USC Iovine and Young Academy commencement ceremony, the forty-one-year-old American entrepreneur shared his business tidbits and knowledge. Owing to his achievements as an entrepreneur who started Reddit and 776 Ventures, he was invited to share the “most meaningful piece of advice” he had ever gotten during the occasion.

He stated, “When my mom got sick with brain cancer a few months into my founding Reddit, she told me to make sure that I always lived a life I wanted to live, not live for her or anyone else — it was her confidence in me, from my earliest memories until her death a few years later, that convinced me I could do anything I wanted with my life as long as I devoted myself to it.”

Williams’ husband credited his mother’s constant optimism for a large portion of his success since Reddit launched in 2005. Sadly, Anke Ohanian, Alexis’ mother, was tragically diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 2005. It was with great sadness that her home in Columbia, Maryland, was abandoned in March 2008, at the age of 54.

Still, her memory lives on in people’s recollections of her compassion and dedication to her work. Not only that, a few months ago, he also revealed how his mother’s tragic death inspired him to come up with the foundation. On her death anniversary a few months ago, he shared a tribute to her mother on Twitter.

He stated, “My mom died 16 years ago today. This used to be the hardest day of the year for me (Ides of March, go figure) and then 3 years ago I started my family foundation — @776foundation and found a new meaning to this day — one that I know she’d have been proud of.” On the other hand, even when he got married in 2017, his wife, Serena Williams, honored Ohanian’s mother in the most heartwarming way ever.

When Williams remembered Ohanian’s mother at their dreamy wedding 

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian’s special day was made much more emotional by the significance of their wedding day. November 16, is the day when the 41-year-old entrepreneur’s mother, who died nine years earlier, was born, they decided to exchange vows on November 16, 2017.

In an interview with Vogue, she said, “Obviously, we wish that she could be here for this, but choosing her birthday as our wedding date was a nice way of making sure she’s still involved and made us feel more connected to her on our day.” It was a touching way to pay tribute to her memories and keep a feeling of connection with her during their celebration that they chose her birthday as their wedding day.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Ohanian’s recent revelation? Do let us know in the comment section below.