Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams captured attention after tying the knot with renowned Italian actor and longtime partner Andrea Preti. While the couple initially exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Ischia, Italy, on Sept. 18, they later celebrated their union with a second wedding over the weekend in Palm Beach, Florida.
Following the auspicious ceremony, Serena Williams penned a heartfelt message for her sister as Venus embarked on an entirely new and special chapter of her life with Preti.
Serena Williams Pens a Heartfelt Note for Sister Venus Williams As She Marries Italian Partner Andrea Preti
Venus, widely regarded as one of the all-time greats of the sport, amassed 49 tour titles, including seven Grand Slam crowns, and also rose to the top of the WTA rankings. Her whirlwind romance with Preti began in 2024 after they met at a Gucci show in Milan, and the couple has since been spotted together on numerous occasions. Just six months into their relationship, they sealed their commitment with an engagement in Tuscany this January.
Over the past year, their bond has only grown stronger, culminating in a wedding celebration that was as distinctive as their journey together. Spread across five days in Palm Beach, Florida, the festivities unfolded at their shared home, with daily poolside gatherings of family and friends, a yacht soirée thoughtfully arranged by Serena, a boudoir-themed bridal shower, and a Beyoncé-inspired lip-sync battle.
It was an emotional occasion for the entire Williams family, especially for Venus’s sister Serena Williams. The 23-time Grand Slam champion shared a series of photographs from the wedding, featuring herself alongside Venus, Isha Price, Lyndrea Price, and others, all radiating elegance in chic white ensembles that beautifully complemented the bride’s gown. Beyond the images, Serena also penned a heartfelt note as her sister embarked on a new chapter of her life.
“My sister’s keeper. Venus, where do I even begin? From the backyard courts to the biggest stages in the world, you’ve always led with grace, strength, and a heart bigger than any trophy. Watching you step into this next chapter surrounded by love felt like watching the sun rise…steady, powerful, and full of promise,” she wrote.
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Venus turned professional in 1994 at just 14, making her debut at the Bank of the West Classic, while her younger sister Serena followed a year later in 1995 with her first professional appearance at the Quebec City event. Both went on to carve out remarkably illustrious and historic careers.
“You’ve been my built-in best friend, my protector, my teacher, and my reminder to always walk in purpose. Seeing you this happy, this loved, this radiant… it means everything to me. To love, to partnership, to laughter, and to a lifetime of choosing each other every single day. I couldn’t be prouder to stand beside you, not just today, but always,” she added.
Preti’s creative journey has been notably multifaceted. After honing his craft as an actor at New York’s Susan Batson Studio, he gradually transitioned into storytelling behind the camera. His early foray came with the 2014 short film “One More Day,” which paved the way for subsequent projects, including “The Wolf Man” and a historical narrative centered on homophobia in 19th-century southern Italy.
