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In 2025, the financial legacies of Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova remain a fascinating study in how elite sport, branding, and smart business moves can build long-lasting wealth. Though both have long since left their primes, the numbers and backstories tell two very different success tales.
💰 Net Worth: Who Leads?
Serena Williams is widely estimated to have a net worth in the ballpark of $340–$350 million in 2025. The Times of India+3TheStreet+3Forbes+3 Forbes lists her among America’s richest self-made women. Forbes+1 Even after retiring from tennis in 2022, her business ventures, endorsements, and investment income continue to fuel her wealth. TheStreet+1
Maria Sharapova, on the other hand, is generally placed in a lower tier — estimates put her net worth around $180 million in 2025. surprisesports.com+3The Scotsman+3businessoutstanders.com+3 Some outlets suggest higher — for example, a figure of $220 million appears in certain profiles. surprisesports.com+1 But the consensus leans toward $180M as a more conservative estimate. The Scotsman+2businessoutstanders.com+2
Bottom line: Serena holds a clear edge in 2025.
🏆 Tennis Careers & Prize Money
Serena’s on-court resume is the stuff of legend: 23 Grand Slam singles titles (the most in the Open Era), 14 Grand Slam doubles, and a wealth of other tournament wins. TheStreet+3Wikipedia+3Parade+3 Her official career prize money totals around $94.8 million. Parade+1
Sharapova was no slouch either — she won five Grand Slam singles titles and was a former world No. 1. Wikipedia+2The Times of India+2 But her total prize money is much lower compared to Serena’s haul, and even during her playing days her endorsement earnings tended to overshadow her on-court income. Celebrity Net Worth+3TheStreet+3Wikipedia+3
📈 Endorsements, Business & Post-Tennis Ventures
Here is where the disparity widens. Serena parlayed her superstar status into long-term brand deals, licensing, and investment ventures. Her off-court earnings have reportedly tripled her on-court prize earnings. Forbes+3TheStreet+3Brand Vision+3 She has stakes in businesses, has entered production and venture capital arenas, and continues to generate passive income. Forbes+3Brand Vision+3TheStreet+3
Sharapova also capitalized on her high marketability. Her endorsements spanned global brands (Nike, TAG Heuer, Canon, etc.), and she launched her own candy brand, Sugarpova. Celebrity Net Worth+4Wikipedia+4The Times of India+4 But over time some ventures lost momentum, and she has fewer large-scale business holdings compared to Serena. Pulse Sports+4The Times of India+4surprisesports.com+4
🔍 Final Takeaway
In 2025, Serena Williams remains clearly wealthier than Maria Sharapova, with an estimated net worth roughly double Sharapova’s. Serena’s dominance on the court, combined with strategic brand partnerships and business investments post-retirement, gives her a more robust financial foundation. Sharapova built an impressive portfolio too, especially during her peak, but her legacy wealth hasn’t matched the scale of Serena’s continued growth.
Their stories show that greatness in sport can open doors—but how you walk through them afterward often defines the lasting stakes in the game of wealth.
Musa
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