Sad News for Serena Williams’ 81-Year-Old Father, Richard Williams

Richard Williams, best known as the father and original coach of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, is facing challenging times in his later years.

Now 81, Richard is reportedly raising his 11-year-old son, Dylan, on his own after the breakdown of his marriage to his third wife, Lakeisha Graham. In a recent interview, Richard’s eldest son, Chavoita LeSane, shared updates on the family’s struggles and Richard’s current situation.

According to Chavoita, Lakeisha is no longer involved in raising Dylan, the son she shares with Richard. Instead, she is accused of using Dylan as leverage and spending Richard’s money, leaving the elderly patriarch as the sole caregiver.

Chavoita explained that Richard, despite his age and health challenges—including speech impairments from multiple strokes—takes full responsibility for Dylan, getting him to and from school every day.

The legal battle between Richard and Lakeisha has been ongoing since Richard filed for divorce in 2017, alleging that she forged his signature to transfer ownership of their million-dollar home to herself.

However, the divorce proceedings were recently dismissed by default after Richard failed to appear in court, reportedly due to his fear of legal proceedings stemming from his health issues. The judge has agreed to revisit the case if and when Richard and Lakeisha decide to proceed.

Richard’s current struggles are a far cry from his earlier years, when he and his then-wife Oracene “Brandy” Price were instrumental in shaping the careers of Venus and Serena.

The couple met in Los Angeles and married in 1980, blending their families and eventually having Venus and Serena together. Richard, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, taught himself tennis by reading books and watching videos. He then passed his knowledge on to Oracene and their daughters, determined to make them champions in a sport that had little diversity at the time.

The Williams family’s journey from humble beginnings in Compton, California, to international tennis stardom is well-documented, most notably in the 2021 film “King Richard,” starring Will Smith as Richard Williams. Both Venus and Serena have repeatedly credited their parents’ sacrifices and vision for their success.

Serena, after her final match in 2022, publicly thanked her parents for giving her and Venus the dream that changed their lives. Venus, too, has expressed deep gratitude to both her father and mother for their support and guidance.

After divorcing Oracene in 2002, Richard remarried Lakeisha, and they had Dylan in 2012. The marriage ended in separation in 2017, leading to the current custody and financial disputes.

Richard is also father to several other children from previous relationships, including filmmaker Chavoita LeSane, who produced a documentary about his father’s life.

Today, Richard and Oracene live mostly private lives, occasionally seen supporting their daughters at major events. Despite the family’s internal struggles and Richard’s declining health, his legacy as the architect of one of tennis’s greatest dynasties endures.

His story remains a testament to resilience, vision, and the enduring power of family.