Serena named to Forbes' richest self-made women list

Serena Williams lost early in Paris this year, but don't shed too many tears of disappointment for her. The 23-time Grand Slam champion is the first athlete to make it on Forbes’ annual list of the World’s Richest Self-Made Women. Her estimated riches are worth a whopping $225 million.

The elite crew of ladies includes the likes of Taylor Swift, Kylie Jenner, Rihanna, Stitch Fix's Katrina Lake and Bumble's Whitney Wolf Herd.

Williams is on the cover of the June magazine, and featured in a profile written by Kurt Badenhausen. The 37-year-old has been quietly sowing seeds in the business world, investing money into 34 start ups. She founded Serena Ventures to help start and invest in companies created by women and minorities.

"In a pitch meeting, I look at the founder," Williams told *Forbes*. "If the founder is really interested, and really involved, and they really love what they do, and feel like they have a product that can make a big difference or solve different issues, that is the first most foremost thing."

Williams is part of a trend of athletes and celebrities embracing the Silicon Valley boom and carefully managing income to last for a lifetime, and longer. Rihanna makes the richest self-made list because of her partnership with LVMH luxury products, not just her music career.

The world No. 10-ranked Williams has the added bonus of having Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian around to lend an assist, if needed.

Her fortune comes from a lot more than just the $22 million earned in the past year in prize money and endorsements. Some of her venture investments include Lola (organic female products), Billie (female shaving products), Coinbase (a digital currency exchange), Honeylove (shapewear clothing) and Olly (vitamin gummies). She launched her own brand, S by Serena, last year.

So yes, while she did lose unexpectedly to Sofia Kenin in the third round of Roland Garros, it's safe to say Williams is doing just fine.

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