Earning an estimated $18.1 million between June 1, 2017, and June 1, 2018, the 36-year-old Compton-native was named ahead of her tennis rivals Caroline Wozniacki ($13 million), Sloane Stephens ($11.2 million), Garbine Muguruza ($11 million), and Maria Sharapova ($10.5 million).
Despite only receiving $62,000 in tennis winnings between June 2017 and June 2018 due to maternity leave, the business magazine attributes Williams’ deep and expansive portfolio of endorsements as a contributing factor to her current reign on top of Forbes’ annual list.
“She has a lethal combination as the best to play the sport and the story she has with Venus, breaking through as African-American tennis players,” says Matt Fleming, who is the Director of Celebrity Acquisition at brand marketing agency, The Marketing Arm. “Now, as a mother, it adds another layer of attractiveness from a marketers’ standpoint.”
Check out Forbes’ complete listing of The Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2018 below:
1. Serena Williams (tennis) – $18.1 million
2. Caroline Wozniacki (tennis) – $13 million
3. Sloane Stephens (tennis) – $11.2 million
4. Garbine Muguruza (tennis) – $11 million
5. Maria Sharapova (tennis) – $10.5 million
6. Venus Williams (tennis) – $10.2 million
7. PV Sindhu (badminton) – $8.5 million
8. Simona Halep (tennis) – $7.7 million
9. Danica Patrick (race car driving) – $7.5 million
10. Angelique Kerber (tennis) – $7 million
