Fame
Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams may have built extraordinary careers of their own, but they aren’t planning to decide what their daughters will become.
Instead, the famous couple has one simple rule when it comes to the future careers of their two girls.
Speaking recently at the London event for Athlos, the women’s track and field competition founded by Ohanian, the Reddit co-founder opened up about the approach he and Serena have taken with their daughters, Alexis Olympia, 9, and Adira River, 3.
“The one rule in the house is we don’t care what you want to do when you grow up as long as you do your best at it and you’re doing something useful,” Ohanian said.
And while the parents aren’t putting pressure on their daughters to follow in their footsteps, Olympia already appears to have an idea of where her interests are heading.
According to her dad, fashion designer is currently at the top of Olympia’s list.
That may not come as a huge surprise to anyone who has followed the family over the years. Olympia has already shown an interest in creative activities, while also being exposed to the worlds of sports, business and entertainment through her parents.
But she isn’t limiting herself to just one possibility.
At the recent Athlos event in London, Olympia even had a chance to step into the spotlight herself. Ohanian revealed that his daughter was working at the event and interviewing several of the women who were attending.
For a nine-year-old, it was a pretty impressive opportunity.
Ohanian jokingly added that Olympia hasn’t chosen journalism as her career just yet — but he suggested that could change.
“She’s coming for journalism,” he said.
Meanwhile, three-year-old Adira is still far too young to have a career plan, and her parents appear happy to let her explore different interests as she grows.
That freedom is clearly important to both Ohanian and Williams.
Despite Serena’s legendary tennis career, the couple has never suggested that their daughters have to become professional athletes. Serena has previously spoken about wanting her children to have the freedom to discover their own interests rather than carry the expectations that come with being the daughter of one of the greatest tennis players in history.
And that may ultimately be the biggest advantage Olympia and Adira have.
They are growing up surrounded by sports, technology, fashion, business and entertainment — but they are being given the opportunity to decide for themselves what they actually love.
For now, Olympia has her eyes on fashion design.
Whether that remains her dream as she gets older is anyone’s guess.
But judging by the opportunities already coming her way, she certainly has plenty of time to figure it out.