Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian are each millionaires — but that doesn’t mean they’re trying to raise entitled children.

Williams and Ohanian give their 7-year-old daughter Olympia a modest weekly allowance, Ohanian, 42, said in a video posted to social media platform X on April 24. “She gets $7 a week. Serena was her lawyer in the negotiation,” said Ohanian, who co-founded Reddit in 2005. “I drew up a real contract … Her mom was her counsel, which was really frustrating.”

Before receiving her payout, Olympia has to complete chores — five days per week — like feeding the dog, putting her clothes in a hamper and making her bed, Ohanian said. He and Williams want to teach their daughter the value of working for what she wants, he added.

At one point, Olympia saved up $100, and she wanted a $125 watch, said Ohanian. Closing that gap herself helped her “embrace that feeling” of work leading to reward, Ohanian said: “We’re trying to create that flywheel between doing the work and getting the money.”

Ohanian and Williams also have a 1-year-old daughter named Adira. Both parents worked from young ages: Williams, the highest-earning woman athlete of all time, made her professional tennis debut at age 14, and Ohanian was only 23 when Conde Nast acquired Reddit for $10 million in 2006.

Williams now has an estimated net worth of $340 million, according to Forbes. The publication estimated Ohanian’s net worth as $70 million, as recently as 2019. Both are currently active as startup investors, with Williams launching Serena Ventures in 2014 and Ohanian founding VC firm Seven Seven Six in 2020.

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian have long been known not only for their success in tennis and tech, respectively, but also for how intentionally they approach parenting. Recently, the couple shared a glimpse into how they’re raising their daughter Olympia with strong values, revealing that they negotiated a \$7-a-week allowance with her — a decision grounded in their belief that “good things come when you work for it.”

Olympia, who is now growing up in a household where excellence and drive are ever-present, is learning early on that even in a world of opportunity and privilege, effort matters. Rather than handing her everything on a silver platter, Serena and Alexis have opted for an approach rooted in responsibility and reward. This decision sparked conversation about parenting styles, especially among high-profile families who often face criticism for raising children in environments detached from everyday realities.

The \$7-a-week allowance isn’t just about pocket money. It’s part of a larger effort to instill financial literacy and an appreciation for hard work. Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and a vocal advocate for digital responsibility, has spoken openly about the importance of preparing children for the world — even when their parents could easily afford to shield them from it. In a recent interview, he said, “We want Olympia to understand that things have value, and more importantly, that her own work and ideas do, too.”

For Williams, one of the greatest athletes in history, this mindset has always been central to her journey. Raised by parents who pushed her and her sister Venus to pursue greatness through persistence and self-belief, she has long credited her upbringing for shaping her work ethic. Passing that philosophy to her daughter, she says, is essential. “I want Olympia to grow up knowing that success is earned, not handed out,” she shared in a parenting podcast appearance.

The allowance agreement reportedly came after Olympia began expressing interest in buying small items for herself. Rather than simply providing the money, her parents took the opportunity to turn it into a learning moment. Together, they sat down and discussed how much money Olympia would receive, what kinds of chores or goals would be associated with earning it, and how she could track her savings. Ohanian even helped set up a basic digital tracker to help Olympia visualize how much she was earning and spending.

Experts in child development and financial education have praised this kind of parenting approach. Dr. Marsha Reynolds, a developmental psychologist, noted that early money management helps children build confidence and develop delayed gratification — key traits in long-term decision-making. “Children who are allowed to manage their own small amounts of money in a structured way tend to make better financial choices as adults,” she explained.

But while the \$7 figure may seem symbolic, it’s part of a broader pattern for Serena and Alexis: giving Olympia structure, stability, and space to grow. The couple have also spoken about their decision to limit screen time, promote reading, and involve Olympia in family decision-making where appropriate. Ohanian has emphasized that even tech-savvy families must actively teach boundaries and balance.

This parenting philosophy extends to their philanthropic work as well. Serena and Alexis have been strong supporters of education and mentorship programs, often donating to causes that promote youth empowerment. Through the Serena Williams Fund and various tech initiatives spearheaded by Ohanian, the couple have backed programs that promote STEM education, equity in entrepreneurship, and access to sports for underserved youth.

Their transparency about parenting choices has helped challenge the notion that wealthy or famous families cannot raise grounded children. Social media followers often praise their posts not just for being cute or aspirational, but for offering real insight into how values are passed down. Olympia’s small chores — from helping around the house to assisting with pet care — are sometimes documented in a way that feels both relatable and refreshing in an era dominated by curated perfection.

Of course, not everyone agrees on the best way to raise children, especially in the public eye. Some critics argue that publicizing an allowance — even if it’s a modest one — feels performative or patronizing. But others point out that visibility matters, and that influential figures modeling thoughtful parenting can help normalize financial education in all types of households.

What remains clear is that for Serena and Alexis, parenting is not a passive process. They’ve taken lessons from their respective fields — whether it’s the relentless training of championship tennis or the iterative thinking of startup culture — and applied them to the everyday experiences of raising a child. Negotiating allowance is just one of many ways they are helping Olympia grow into someone who understands value, effort, and agency.

In a world where celebrity children often become known more for what they inherit than what they build, Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian are offering a different narrative. One where even the daughter of a global superstar and a tech mogul learns that success is something to be earned step by step — even if those steps begin with a weekly \$7.

Would you like a follow-up article exploring parenting strategies among other public figures?