Alexis Ohanian breaks silence on tough decision that changed his life: “I stepped down for my daughters”
Serena Williams’ husband quit billion-dollar company to set a better example for his daughters.
Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian, and little Olympia are one of the most recognizable families in the USA.
Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and husband to tennis legend Serena Williams, has finally opened up about the deeply personal and professional sacrifices he made for his family.
Leading the charge in both his business ventures and personal life, Ohanian revealed that his 2020 resignation from Reddit’s board was a decision driven by his daughters, Olympia and Adira, and his commitment to creating a legacy they would be proud of.
In an interview with journalist Jemele Hill, Ohanian shared the motivation behind his resignation, which followed the global outrage sparked by George Floyd’s death. Ohanian stepped down in protest of Reddit’s tolerance for hateful communities on its platform, a move he said was necessary to align his actions with his values.
“I couldn’t reconcile the company’s public statements with the fact that there were thousands of racist, hateful communities that should have been banned,” he said. Ohanian urged Reddit to replace him with a Black board member-a call that was eventually heeded.
The man who builds the future:
Alexis Ohanian.
Founder of Reddit. Early investor in Instacart.
He just said ”your digital identity is going to become more valuable than your real name”.
4 predictions on the future of wealth creation (& why you should care): pic.twitter.com/9rXKekc7tv
— Tim Carden (@timjcarden) August 15, 2024
Ohanian is a man of principles
Ohanian’s resignation was not just about ethics; it was a public letter to his then-three-year-old daughter, Olympia, showing her the importance of standing by one’s principles.
“I wanted her to see her dad doing the best work of his career in a way she’d be proud of,” he said. Now, with two daughters, Ohanian continues to let his role as a father guide his professional journey.
Since leaving Reddit, Ohanian has been busy shaping a new legacy. He launched 776, an investment fund aimed at fostering positive change, and co-founded Angel City FC, a women’s soccer team.
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Commentator: “it’s great that Serena Williams even has her own personal umbrella holder”
That ‘umbrella holder’ is her HUSBAND and the co-founder of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian 😭😂 pic.twitter.com/1PW6ZiaxHU
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) July 26, 2024
Alexis Ohanian’s legacy
Remarkably, Olympia became the youngest owner in pro sports history when Ohanian brought her onboard as a part-owner of the Angel City. Under his leadership, the team’s valuation has soared to $250 million, cementing a bright financial future for his daughters.
While Serena Williams has carved her place as a global icon, Ohanian is determined to ensure his daughters are just as proud of him. “I deeply want to impress my little girls,” he said, summing up his ultimate goal.
