What is Richard Williams’ net worth?
Richard Williams is an American tennis coach who has a net worth of $25 million. He’s the father of two of the greatest athletes of all time, Serena Williams and Venus Williams.
He was born on February 14, 1942, in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
After he graduated from high school, Richard moved to Chicago.
In 2014, he released the book ”Black and White: The Way I See It.”
In July 2016, he suffered a stroke.
In 2018, Williams suffered a series of strokes that have left him barely able to speak.
He also claimed that his ex-wife (Lakeisha Graham) forged his signature so that she could remortgage the family home in Florida for $300,000 and start a trucking business.
Sandy Becher, Lakeisha Graham’s attorney, stated for TMZ:
”All of the allegations are false and will be proven to be false when we litigate the case in court.” Sandy Becher also said: ”Richard is just trying to avoid paying child support and alimony.”
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In June 2020, Richard was sued by TW3 Entertainment (a small video game and film studio owned by producer Tom Walsh) and Power Move Multi-Media over King Richard rights, a biopic about his life story raising daughters Serena and Venus as tennis stars.
Power Move Multi-Media and TW3 claimed in court documents that they were the true owners of Richard’s story since they had bought the rights to his memoir, ”Black and White: The Way I See It,” in 2017 for $10,000.
He later sold the rights to his life for $1 million to Will Smith’s production company and Warner Bros. In August 2020, it was announced that the lawsuit is settled.
Note – ”King Richard” was released in November 2021 by Warner Bros.
It stars Demi Singleton as Serena Williams, Saniyya Sidney as Venus Williams, and Will Smith as Richard. The biopic is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green.
”King Richard” has grossed $11.9 million worldwide.
Wife
In 1965, Richard married Berry Johnson. The two divorced in 1973.
In 1980, Williams married Oracene Price. They divorced in 2002.
In 2010, Richard Williams married Lakeisha Graham.
© Guliver / Getty Images
The couple filed for divorce in 2017.
In 2023, it was reported that Richard Williams and Lakeisha Graham’s divorce is still unfinalized. “I just want a divorce,” Williams confessed in an interview. “It’s been six years, man.”
Children
He has five children with his first wife, two daughters and three sons.
With Oracene, Williams has two daughters, Venus and Serena.
Both Williams and Price served as coaches for the girls. Richard decided to make Serena and Venus tennis stars after seeing Virginia Ruzici (a former professional tennis player from Romania) playing on television. Later, Williams wrote a 78-page plan.
He once said:
”Before they were born, a lot people used to think I was crazy because I used to walk around with a sign, ‘number 1 girls in the world.’”
He started giving lessons to his girls when they were four and a half.
So far, the Williams sisters won three gold medals in Olympic doubles as well as 17 doubles titles playing together. Venus and Serena played each other in the finals 9 times. They also have 30 grand slam singles titles each.
© Guliver / Getty Images
Serena said about the relationship with her parents:
”When you’re younger, as a female, you flock to your father. When you get older, you’re closer to your mother.” Serena continued: ”I still feel really, really close to my father.”
Venus said for WTA Tennis:
”It goes without saying what my dad has done for Serena and I, and changing the game of tennis, and for what he’s done for the sport, too.” Venus added: ”I’m forever grateful.”
Richard and Lakeisha have a son named Dylan (b. in 2012).
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Quotes
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”If you feel that people cannot stop you, that attitude radiates like heat on a highway.”
”You got to be rough, you’ve got to be tough and you’ve got to be strong.”
”The greatest thing I ever heard was when my mom would often say her son was never, not even a nickle worth of bother for her.”
”Nothing is difficult unless you allow it to be.”
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Net Worth 2024
So, how much is Richard Williams worth? Williams earned most of his wealth from coaching Venus and Serena Williams. Richard also published a book and sold the rights to Will Smith’s production company and Warner Bros. Therefore, Richard Williams has an estimated net worth of $25 million.
Richard allegedly sold his house in Florida to his ex-wife, Lakeisha, for just $10.
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I am Bulgarea Candin Stefan, and I founded FamousPeopleToday.com in 2018. I’m using my bachelor’s degree in economics and 9 years of experience in blogging to guide millions of people through the incredibly complex world of celebrity net worths.
Anderson Msosa
Monday 15th of November 2021
Serena and Venus are by themselves not erasable in memories of generations across the world which is showing that in life success does not come by accident .
Jean Shavrnoch-Walton
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
I went to school and graduated with Oracene Price. I remember her as being very quiet and studious in school. She probably appeared that way because I wasn’t! Many years later it would be my son who informed me that Oracene was the mother of the two famous tennis stars, I was amazed.
Never spoke much in school but I like to tell her how proud I am to have known her and to know that she did well in life. Sincerely, Jean Shavrnoch-Walton
jelLan
Tuesday 29th of June 2021
Awesome, what a great moments of live with focus and courage's to fought for good things in live. great African - American lives matter. jelLan from Naija
Norvell Algernon Brown
Tuesday 16th of February 2021
I appreciate reading your providing the biography of Mr. Richard Williams. I first met him at a PTR symposium in Hilton SC. I am a certified USPTA and would like to send a copy of my book to Richard in which he is feature. How would I get it to him. I pray he is doing well and God will continue to bless him with comfort.