Children’s parties in the celebrity world are big business. You only have to look back at North West’s mermaid extravaganza, Blue Ivy’s flower farm bash, or the Kardashian’s iconic Kidchella for all the proof you need. But Serena Williams has confirmed that you can definitely count her daughter, Olympia, out of anything similar. The tennis star has revealed that she won’t be doing anything similar for her baby’s first birthday next week on September 1.
Williams explained that she and husband Alexis Ohanian will not be celebrating the upcoming first birthday of Olympia in September—it goes against their religious values as Jehovah’s Witnesses. The revelation came during a press conference for the 2018 U.S. Open earlier this week as a reporter asked: “Is there a birthday party planned?” The sportswoman revealed in response: “Olympia doesn’t celebrate birthdays. We’re Jehovah’s Witnesses so we don’t do that.”
Serena, who is off to a strong start at the currently ongoing tennis tournament, has never been one to shy away from talking about her religion, having recently told Vogue: “Being a Jehovah's Witness is important to me, but I've never really practiced it and have been wanting to get into it. Alexis didn't grow up going to any church, but he's really receptive and even takes the lead. He puts my needs first.”
A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams)
A photo posted by on
Alexis Olympia was born on September 1 last year via an emergency C-section, but complications in the surgery nearly resulted in Serena’s death. Williams opened up about the traumatic experience, recalling her ordeal to CNN: "It began with a pulmonary embolism," she said, "which is a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs becomes blocked by a blood clot. Because of my medical history with this problem, I live in fear of this situation. So, when I fell short of breath, I didn’t wait for a second to alert the nurses. This sparked a slew of health complications that I am lucky to have survived."
If anything, the birthday calls for a celebration of Serena being some kind of superwoman.
RELATED STORY
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Lucy Wood spends most of her time writing about celebrity news, reading books, and waiting for the glorious day that she have enough millions for a pet sloth. She also has a YouTube channel on the go where she pretends to know things about fashion and life advice.
-
Bitten Lips Took Center Stage at Dior Fall 2024 Show
Models at the Dior Fall 2024 show paired bitten lips with bare skin, a beauty trend that will take precedence this season.
By Deena Campbell Published
-
30 Spring Items That Solve My Expensive-Taste-on-a-Humble-Budget Dilemma
See every under-$300 spring item on my wish list.
By Natalie Gray Herder Published
-
Your Makeup Won't Budge With These Setting Sprays
Prepare for 12-hour wear.
By Sophia Vilensky Published
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton Published
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
By Mehera Bonner Published
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
By The Editors Published
-
Who Is Next in Line for the British Throne, Explained
And yes—Harry and Archie are still in the line of succession.
By Andrea Park Published
-
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Fiancé Riley Roberts?
AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
By Bianca Rodriguez Published
-
Who Is Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles's Fiancé and NFL Player?
"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.
By The Editors Published