Alexis Ohanian wears his heart on his sleeve in the family regard. But that love extends far beyond the public affection we’ve seen for his wife, Serena Williams, and their daughters. This time, though, Ohanian’s sentimental side surfaced in a more personal and reflective way. In a heartfelt moment, Ohanian seemed to recall his late mother, Anke Ohanian, as he connected to a post shared by fellow businessman Jack Altman.
The founder and chairman of Lattice and an investor at Alt Capital, Altman took to his X to share his love for his late father, Jerry Altman, on his birthday. “Happy birthday to my dad, who didn’t quite get the chance to meet his grandkids but would have been an amazing grandpa 🤗,” he wrote. Alexis Ohanian was one of those people who was able to relate with his fellow businessman.
Responding to the post, the ‘Business Dad’ shared a heartfelt response and wrote, “I feel this. 🙏 HBD Mr Altman.” Jerry passed away in 2018 after suffering a heart attack, and it was only two years after when his son, Jack, became parents with his wife Julia in 2020. Ohanian has also witnessed similar situations like Altman in his life.
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I feel this. 🙏 HBD Mr Altman
— Alexis Ohanian 🇦🇲 (@alexisohanian) October 4, 2024
The Reddit co-founder lost his mother, Anke Ohanian, in 2008, who suffered from brain cancer. 8-years later, he was engaged to Serena Williams, and the two became parents for the first time in 2017. Hence, even Anke could not attain the pleasure of seeing her grandkids.
Ohanian and Williams are parents to two daughters. Their elder daughter, Olympia, was born in 2017 whereas the younger Adira was welcomed by the couple in 2023, a year after the tennis great hung up her racquets. This, however, is not the first time when Ohanian has made a remark about his late mother and his daughters.
In May last year, Ohanian shared a picture of his younger self along with his mother, to pay tribute to her on Mother’s Day. He also shared the picture of the plaque from the chair he dedicated to the University of Virginia in her memory and highlighted how happy she would have been to become the grandmother of two grandkids.
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How do personal losses shape the resilience and drive of successful entrepreneurs like Alexis Ohanian?
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“Love your mama every day! After I sold @Reddit, my mom passed, + I had enough to dedicate a chair at @UVA for her (Front of the class! Where she’d have sat if she’d gone to college). I think she’d be so excited for the @776Foundation + she’d have LOVED being a grandma (2x!),” Ohanian wrote. But it feels like Ohanian is giving even a share of his mother’s love to his children and has been spotted enjoying cherishing moments and wishing the best for them.
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When Alexis Ohanian made a playful wish for his daughters
Alexis Ohanian has continued to set dad goals for many people out there. He has often engaged in fun activities with them, especially Olympia, and can be seen cooking, going out to their favorite restaurants, or simply spending leisure time at home. It is probably for this reason that he even desires her daughters to NOT follow him when it comes to fitness.
The Reddit co-founder, engaged in an interaction alongside American Track and Field athlete Justin Gatlin, recalled some moments from the Athlos NYC event(happened on September 26). He also opened up about his own fitness levels and indirectly made a wish for his daughters.
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When quizzed about his personal best in the 100m sprint, Ohanian responded in complete shock. “Are you kidding me? Did you see me walking in here? Big Fella doesn’t sprint. There is no scenario where I come out good in that,” Ohanian said playfully. Continuing further, he expressed his desire to shield his daughters from the woes of watching him embarrass himself.
“A 41-year-old out-of-shape dad sprinting 100m, no one wants that. I gotta think of the legacy I leave behind for my little girls. And I don’t know if they need to see that on tape,” he added. For now, it would be interesting to see if Ohanian would share more cherishing moments with his family and particularly his daughters, thereby mesmerizing the fans yet again.
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How do personal losses shape the resilience and drive of successful entrepreneurs like Alexis Ohanian?