Serena Williams & Venus Williams’ Stepmom Files For Bankruptcy

Serena Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most of any player in the Open Era, and the second-most all-time behind Margaret Court’s 24. Serena Williams, like her older sister Venus, was coached by her parents, Oracene Price and Richard Williams. Lakeisha Williams, Serena and Venus’ stepmother, has reportedly filed for bankruptcy.

Lakeisha Williams, Venus and Serena Williams‘ stepmother has reportedly filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to keep the home where her estranged husband, “King” Richard Williams, trained the tennis legends. Richard paid $355,000 for the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, home with Venus and Serena’s mother, ex-wife Oracene Price, many years before his divorce from Lakeisha in 2017.

The house was scheduled to be auctioned off in February 2021, but she filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy the day before. Despite the fact that the couple is in the middle of a divorce, Lakeisha asked a judge to stop the proceedings earlier this week, according to the Daily Mail. She argued that their marriage is not irreparably broken, even claiming that their sex life is still going strong despite the couple’s split.

Richard and Lakeisha married in 2009, and they have a 9-year-old son named Dylan. She is said to have stayed in the “now-crumbling” house after the couple split up.

“It would never be in that condition if Richard was still there. He adored that place. Richard is a wonderful man. I wouldn’t hear a word said against him. We were neighbors for many years. Serena and Venus were just kids to me, not superstars.”

Lakeisha must produce more supporting documents by April 8 in order to proceed with her filing, and she will be questioned by Miami mortgage lender David Simon. Simon’s lawyers have already filed paperwork, arguing, “This is a hotly contested case. Secured creditor has a judgment in foreclosure exceeding half a million dollars on a residential home that the debtor owns,” the docs read. “This is the debtor’s second bankruptcy case… if at first you don’t succeed try again. But do it fast, and don’t provide notice to your adversary!”

Richard’s name has been in the news a lot recently because he is the subject of the 2021 film King Richard, starring Will Smith, who shocked Oscar viewers by slapping presenter Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards.

Smith was named Best Actor for his performance in the two-hour film, which depicted Richard preparing his daughters for greatness as he trained them to become the tennis superstars they are today. To get the latest updates, keep an eye on Thirsty.

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