Serena Williams has a new look. The tennis legend appeared at a recent red-carpet event with long white curls, replacing the blonde hairstyle she had previously favoured. 

The 45-year-old athlete, who won multiple Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold, has never shied away from experimenting with her appearance. Her latest transformation follows another significant change she revealed last year: losing 31 pounds with the assistance of a GLP-1 drug.

Williams attended the 2026 Airbnb.org Gala in Los Angeles, California, in a striking leopard-print creation by designer Clio Peppiatt. Her white hair was arranged in tight curls that rested over her shoulders. 

The dress, meanwhile, featured a daring slit running high along one thigh. It was an attention-grabbing appearance from an athlete who has remained accustomed to the spotlight long after leaving professional tennis.

Serena Williams’ 31-Pound Weight Loss Journey With GLP-1 Medication

Weight loss has been another part of Williams’ recent transformation. After the arrival of her second child, she found it difficult to return to her previous weight. She eventually turned to Ro, a telehealth company, where she received treatment and later took on the role of celebrity ambassador. 

The medication helped her lose 31 pounds. The arrangement also has a connection to her family life. Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, has a financial stake in the company. Ohanian, who made his name in the technology industry, is also a co-founder of Reddit.

Serena Williams Opens Up About Life Beyond Tennis and Motherhood

For Serena Williams, sporting achievements tell only part of the story. Her social media accounts often show the glamorous side of celebrity life, but she has also spoken about finding purpose beyond fame and success. Winning championships and collecting medals may have earned her a place in sporting history. Yet she places greater importance on raising her two children and giving them a parent they can always count on.

“I feel like everybody’s a champion,” Williams discussed this idea in a 2024 conversation with PEOPLE. She argued that “You don’t have to be winning Wimbledon or a gold medal to be a champion. Being a champion is really just being there for your kids. I think that’s a huge champion.”

She also recognises that balancing family life with her other responsibilities is not always easy. Williams has spent much of her career competing at the highest level, but she knows that nobody can maintain that standard in every part of life.

Reflecting on the subject, she explained that people must learn to accept days when they cannot give their best. 

“Being a champion is understanding that you’re not going to be a champion every single day. There’s no way you can win every single day. I need to take this advice to myself,” she said. “But it’s really just about giving your best effort in whatever you’re doing, just do the best that you can on that day. Some days, you will be able to make a better effort. Some days, just waking up is a big effort. You just have to give what you can on that day.”

Conclusion

Serena Williams may be out of the professional tennis circuit, she’s definitely not out of the spotlight. The tennis icon has been in the news for everything from losing 31 pounds thanks to a GLP-1 drug to changing her signature blonde hair for dramatic white curls. But behind the glitz and glamor of the red carpet is a more personal account of motherhood, self-acceptance and learning to deal with a variety of responsibilities. 

Williams has won enough trophies to make for a pretty impressive cabinet but she says being there for her kids is as great as winning Wimbledon. Her most recent metamorphosis is a testament that life after sport can offer a lot of new chapters. And if her recent appearance is any indication, then Williams is at ease making every new chapter a statement.

FAQs

1. How much weight has Serena Williams lost?

The GLP-1 medication has helped Serena Williams lose 31 pounds. After giving birth to her second child, she found it difficult to get back to her previous size and decided to treat it with the help of a telehealth company called Ro. 

2. Who is Serena Williams’ husband?

Serena Williams is married to Alexis Ohanian. He is a technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Reddit. Ohanian also has a financial stake in Ro, the telehealth company that provided Williams’ weight-loss treatment. The couple has two children.

3. What did Serena Williams wear to the 2026 Airbnb.org Gala?

Clio Peppiatt’s leopard-print outfit made a splash at the 2026 Airbnb.org Gala in Los Angeles, with Serena Williams making an appearance. The outfit had a bold thigh-high slit and her long white curls finished it off.