Serena Williams

Serena Williams is the highest-earning female athlete in history, with career earnings exceeding $95 million in prize money and an estimated $400 million in endorsements. But what sets Williams apart from every other female athlete -- and most male athletes -- is her post-career venture capital portfolio. Serena Ventures, her VC firm, has invested in over 60 companies with a focus on diverse founders, and the fund's reported returns have been exceptional. She is not a passive celebrity investor. She is an active fund manager.

Williams's endorsement portfolio during her playing career included Nike, Wilson, Gatorade, Beats Electronics, Aston Martin, and JPMorgan Chase. Her S by Serena fashion line and her partnership with HSN for jewelry and accessories added consumer product revenue. After her retirement from tennis in 2022, her commercial activity barely slowed -- she remains one of the most in-demand brand ambassadors in sports.

With 23 Grand Slam singles titles (the most in the Open Era), Williams dominated women's tennis for two decades and transcended the sport entirely. Her cultural impact, combined with her business acumen, makes her the model for female athlete wealth creation. She proved that a woman athlete can build a venture capital firm, a fashion brand, and a media career simultaneously -- all while winning Grand Slams and raising a family. The $300 million net worth is likely conservative given the unrealized value in her VC portfolio.