Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian are instilling financial responsibility in their 7-year-old daughter, Olympia, through a structured allowance system. Olympia receives a $7 weekly allowance, contingent upon completing tasks like feeding the dog and placing clothes in the hamper. This arrangement was formalized in a written contract, negotiated with Serena acting as Olympia’s advocate.
Serena Negotiated Olympia’s Allowance
Ohanian shared that when he initially proposed a lower amount, Serena countered, ensuring Olympia received a fair deal. He remarked, “Serena was her (Olympia’s) council, which was really frustrating,” highlighting the family’s commitment to teaching the value of work and negotiation.
Beyond the allowance, the couple emphasizes financial literacy. Serena introduced Olympia to Mellody Hobson’s book, “Priceless Facts About Money,” to foster early understanding of financial concepts.
“We’re trying to create that flywheel between doing the work and getting the money and then understanding there are things you want,” he said, relating how his a daughter had to save up to by a $125 Tamagotchi watch she wasted. “I need her to feel that little bit of pain of ‘I have to wait two weeks for that next paycheck.’ … Neither Serena nor I grew up with wealth, and so we’re trying to navigate of how to create the circumstances for her to grow up to be a functioning adult.”
Olympia’s exposure to financial and business principles extends further. At age 2, she became the youngest co-owner of a professional sports team, Angel City FC, and later joined the ownership group of the Los Angeles Golf Club. These roles reflect her parents’ dedication to empowering her with real-world financial experiences.
Alexis Ohanian revealed details about his daughter Olympia’s allowance during an appearance on the “Spolitics with Jemele Hill” podcast in November 2024, but the clip has recently resurfaced on Instagram. He shared the details of how Olympia receives her allowance, which was negotiated by her mother.
Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, also hosts a podcast titled “Business Dad.” In this series, Ohanian engages with successful men across various industries — including technology, sports, entertainment, and media — to discuss how they balance their professional careers with fatherhood.
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