“You know, when I told my story, I didn’t realize how many people could relate,” Williams shared at the Forbes Power Women’s Summit 2026 on Thursday, Sept. 10

NEED TO KNOW

• Serena Williams spoke about how her life-threatening complications after her first pregnancy opened her eyes to broader issues in women’s health care during a panel at the Forbes Power Women’s Summit 2026 on Thursday, Sept. 10
• The tennis legend’s experience inspired her to advocate for improved healthcare access for women and underrepresented communities
• “When I told my story, I didn’t realize how many people could relate,” Williams shared

Serena Williams is reflecting on what she learned after her first pregnancy.

The 44-year-old tennis legend opened up about her experience after undergoing life-threatening birth complications and how it has opened her eyes to broader issues in women’s health care.

“You know, when I told my story, I didn’t realize how many people could relate,” Williams shared during a panel at the Forbes Power Women’s Summit 2026 on Thursday, Sept. 10. “And then at first I thought it was just a minority problem, but then I realized it’s a women’s problem.” 

“So many women from every single background had a nightmare’s tale of their birth, you know? And so— and then it boiled down to I thought, ‘Well, gosh, if men were giving birth, they would have sweets [and] like all kinds of medicines,’ ” she jokingly added. “So it wouldn’t be the same problem at all.”

Williams was rushed to an emergency C-section during the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia, whom she shares with husband Alexis Ohanian, in 2017.

After the delivery, a coughing fit made Williams’ wound reopen and led doctors to discover “a large hematoma, a swelling of clotted blood,” in her abdomen, she previously said in an opinion piece published on CNN in 2018.

The athlete then underwent a six-day battle with a pulmonary embolism (a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs becomes blocked by a blood clot) that led to multiple surgeries.

“I knew something was wrong with me and it was super important that I was heard,” Williams shared during Wednesday’s event. “Thankfully, my doctor listened to me. The nurses did, but I was so fortunate enough to have a doctor that did and literally saved my life.” 

That experience also fueled Williams’ commitment to improving health care access for women and underrepresented communities. After giving birth, the tennis pro went on to serve as the first entrepreneur-in-residence for the Reckitt Catalyst program, a global social impact and innovation program that supports female and underrepresented entrepreneurs working on health, hygiene, water and sanitation solutions.

“What these women are doing is they’re really letting us know that women’s healthcare is so important, and healthcare in general, because also we’re talking about women who take care of the kids, you know, I take care of my kids mostly,” she explained.

“With the program, we’re able to actually solve a lot of issues, make, like I said, make those connections that are really vital, that are really important to open so many doors,” Williams continued. “Because every time we open a door, we’re solving another problem that’s closer to helping us all in this room and helping our kids.”

The 23-time Grand Slam singles winner has shared her story through the years to bring awareness to the complications and health challenges that women can face after birth. 

In the opinion piece published on CNN in 2018, Williams wrote, “We know simple solutions exist, like access to midwives and functional health facilities, along with breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, clean water, basic drugs and good nutrition.”

“Yet we are not doing our part. We are not rising to the challenge to help the women of the world,” she added.

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“Together, we can make this change,” she added. “Together, we can be the change.”

The tennis star went on to give birth to her and Ohanian’s youngest daughter, Adira River Ohanian, in August 2023. 

“Welcome, Adira River Ohanian,” Williams’ husband, Alexis, captioned a family photo after her birth. “I’m grateful to report our house is teaming [sic] with love: a happy & healthy newborn girl and happy & healthy mama. Feeling grateful. @serenawilliams, you’ve now given me another incomparable gift — you’re the GMOAT.”

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