Venus Williams at 45: How the Tennis Legend Is Redefining Legacy Through Fashion, Business, and Empowering Women Athletes in 2026

There are athletes who dominate their sport, and then there are athletes who transcend it entirely. Venus Williams has always belonged to the latter category. At 45, the tennis icon is no longer chasing Grand Slam titles on the court, but she is building something arguably more powerful: a multifaceted empire that spans fashion, interior design, venture capital, and advocacy for women in sports. In 2026, Venus Williams is not slowing down. She is speeding up.

For women who grew up watching Venus and her sister Serena shatter barriers in a predominantly white sport, her evolution feels deeply personal. She showed us that a Black girl from Compton could stand at the pinnacle of world tennis, and now she is showing us that the same fierce determination translates beautifully into boardrooms, design studios, and mentorship programs. This is the story of Venus Williams in her most powerful chapter yet.

From Centre Court to the Corner Office: Venus Williams’ Business Empire

Venus officially stepped away from competitive tennis in 2024, but she had been preparing for life after the sport for well over a decade. Her interior design firm, V Starr, has quietly become one of the most respected boutique design companies in the country. Founded in 2002, V Starr has handled projects ranging from luxury condominiums in Miami to commercial spaces across the Southeast, and 2026 has been a landmark year for the company.

Earlier this spring, V Starr was announced as the lead design firm for a major mixed-use development in Atlanta, a project valued at over $200 million. The development will include residential units, retail space, and a community wellness center. Venus has spoken publicly about her desire to create spaces that feel inclusive and welcoming, particularly for communities that have historically been underserved by luxury design.

“I want people to walk into a space and feel like it was made for them,” Venus said in a recent interview with Vogue. “Good design should not be a privilege. It should be accessible.”

Beyond V Starr, Venus continues to grow her activewear brand, EleVen, which has expanded significantly since its founding. The brand, which emphasizes performance wear that is both functional and stylish, has carved out a loyal following among women who want athletic clothing that moves with them rather than against them. In early 2026, EleVen launched a new collaboration with a major retailer, making the brand more accessible to a broader audience than ever before.

Fashion Forward: How Venus Williams Became a Style Icon Beyond the Court

Venus Williams has always had an eye for fashion. Long before athleisure became a billion-dollar industry, she was designing her own tennis outfits, pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable on the court. Who could forget the iconic denim skirt at the 2004 US Open, or the bold, body-positive designs she wore throughout her career?

In 2026, her fashion influence extends far beyond athletic wear. Venus has become a regular presence at major fashion events and has been spotted front row at shows during New York, Paris, and Milan Fashion Weeks. Industry insiders note that her personal style has evolved into something effortlessly elegant: clean lines, bold colors, and a confidence that cannot be bought off any rack.

Her approach to fashion mirrors her approach to everything else in life. She is intentional, thoughtful, and unafraid to take risks. EleVen’s newest collection reflects this philosophy, blending high-performance fabrics with silhouettes that transition seamlessly from the gym to brunch to a business meeting. It is fashion for women who do not have time to change three times a day, and the market has responded enthusiastically.

Venus has also been vocal about sustainability in fashion, a topic that resonates deeply with younger consumers. She has committed to increasing the percentage of recycled and sustainable materials in EleVen’s production, and she has partnered with organizations focused on reducing textile waste. For Venus, building a fashion brand is not just about aesthetics. It is about responsibility.

Venture Capital and Investing: Venus Williams as a Financial Powerhouse

One of the less discussed but most significant aspects of Venus Williams’ post-tennis career is her work as an investor. She has quietly built an impressive portfolio of investments, focusing particularly on companies led by women and people of color. Her venture capital activity has increased notably in recent years, with a focus on health tech, wellness brands, and sports technology startups.

Venus has spoken openly about the gender gap in venture funding, noting that female founders still receive a disproportionately small share of investment capital. Her response has been to put her money where her mouth is. She has invested in several early-stage companies founded by women, and she uses her platform to amplify their stories and products.

“When I invest in a company, I am not just writing a check,” she has explained. “I am lending my name, my network, and my experience. I know what it is like to be underestimated, and I know how much a vote of confidence can mean.”

This approach to investing is consistent with the way Venus has always operated. She does not do anything halfway. Whether she was training for Wimbledon or negotiating equal prize money for women in tennis (a fight she famously helped win in 2007), Venus Williams commits fully to every cause she takes on.

Inspiring the Next Generation: Venus Williams as Mentor and Advocate

Perhaps the most meaningful part of Venus Williams’ 2026 story is the way she has dedicated herself to mentoring young women athletes. Through various programs, speaking engagements, and her own foundation, Venus has made it a priority to ensure that the doors she and Serena kicked open remain wide open for those who follow.

She has been particularly active in promoting tennis in underserved communities, working with organizations that provide equipment, coaching, and court access to young players who might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn the sport. Venus understands better than most that talent is universal, but opportunity is not.

In early 2026, Venus partnered with several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to establish tennis scholarships for women. The initiative, which she announced during a visit to Howard University, was met with widespread enthusiasm. For Venus, the scholarships represent more than athletic opportunity. They represent access to education, community, and a future that might otherwise be out of reach.

“Serena and I did not have a roadmap,” Venus has said. “Our parents created one for us out of nothing. I want to make sure the next Venus or Serena does not have to fight quite as hard just to get on the court.”

Living with Purpose: Health, Wellness, and Personal Life at 45

Venus Williams has been open about her journey with Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition she was diagnosed with in 2011. The diagnosis, which initially threatened to end her career, instead became a turning point. Venus overhauled her diet, adopted a plant-based lifestyle, and became an advocate for autoimmune awareness.

In 2026, she continues to speak candidly about the realities of living with a chronic illness. She has partnered with health organizations to raise awareness about autoimmune diseases, which disproportionately affect women. Her willingness to be vulnerable about her health struggles has resonated with millions of women who face similar challenges, often in silence.

On a personal level, Venus remains famously private. She has never been one to splash her personal life across tabloids, and that has not changed. What she does share publicly is her deep commitment to family, her close bond with Serena (who is raising her own children while building her own business empire), and her belief that a full life requires balance.

“I spent decades pushing my body to the absolute limit,” Venus reflected in a recent conversation with People. “Now I am learning to listen to it. That is not weakness. That is wisdom.”

Her approach to wellness in this chapter of life is holistic. She prioritizes sleep, meditation, and movement that feels good rather than punishing. She has spoken about the importance of mental health, particularly for high-achieving women who feel pressure to perform at every moment of every day. For Venus, slowing down in certain areas has allowed her to accelerate in others.

The Legacy of Venus Williams: More Than Titles and Trophies

When the history of women’s sports is written, Venus Williams will occupy a central chapter. Her seven Grand Slam singles titles, her five Wimbledon championships, and her four Olympic gold medals are extraordinary achievements. But her legacy extends so far beyond the numbers.

Venus Williams fought for equal prize money and won. She broke barriers in a sport that was not built for someone who looked like her. She played through pain, illness, and doubt, and she did it all with a grace that made it look effortless (even when it was anything but). And now, at 45, she is showing the world that an athlete’s story does not end when the final ball is hit.

For women watching Venus in 2026, the message is clear. You are allowed to evolve. You are allowed to pursue multiple passions. You are allowed to redefine success on your own terms, at any age. Venus Williams is not just a tennis legend. She is a blueprint for living a bold, purposeful, and unapologetically ambitious life.

And she is only getting started.