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via Getty
KEY BISCAYNE, FL – APRIL 01: Richard Williams watches as his daughter Venus Williams plays against Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic during day ten of the Sony Ericsson Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 1, 2009 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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via Getty
KEY BISCAYNE, FL – APRIL 01: Richard Williams watches as his daughter Venus Williams plays against Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic during day ten of the Sony Ericsson Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 1, 2009 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Venus and Serena Williams grew up in a poor household. But they always had their father, Richard Williams, as a rock to stand on. However, Richards’s own life has been shaky throughout. Richard has married thrice, with all marriages ending in divorce. His most recent divorce was with Lakeisha Graham in 2017. But the divorce battle is still ongoing. In the most recent update, Graham has begun changing Serena’s and Venus’ childhood home even though the possession battle has yet to end.
Richard Williams first married Betty Johnson in 1965, with the marriage ending in 1973. Then in 1980, he wed Oracene Price, mother of Serena and Venus Williams. Finally, he married Lakeisha Graham, who was a grocery store owner at the time, and the two split in 2017. Their divorce, however, turned out to be more trouble than one could’ve thought.
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Serena Williams’ ‘stubborn’ stepmom has started renovations
Lakeisha Graham and Richard Williams are in a court battle which began when they filed for divorced. The childhood home of Serena and Venus Williams is also a part of the eventual settlement. Graham had allegedly forged Richard’s signatures in order to gain ownership of the property. This was the event that triggered Richard to file for divorce.
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USA Today via Reuters
Tennis: Miami Open, Mar 21, 2018 Key Biscayne, FL, USA Richard Williams, father of Serena Williams of the United States not pictured, looks on from the stands against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day two of the Miami Open at Tennis Center at Crandon Park. Osaka won 6-3, 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports, 21.03.2018 17:23:16, 10723883, NPStrans, Naomi Osaka, tennis, Serena Williams, United States, Crandon Park, Japan, Richard Williams PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGeoffxBurkex 10723883
Since then, Graham and her aunt have been holed up at the property. As per Richard’s son, Chavoita LeSane, the two have managed to pay for the property and have begun making repairs to the roof. “I have seen some work being done on the house but I don’t think it’s really live-able right now,” Chavoita said to the Sun in an interview.
Read more – Is Richard Williams Still Married to Serena Williams’ Mother?
He also added that “Lakeisha wanted my dad to write a check for the house so the deed will become free and clear, but he’s not doing it“. The Williams family is looking to get the property back so they can tear it down and build a new structure.
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The case could favor the Williams
For Richard, repossession has been difficult since Graham has kept filing for bankruptcy. She took a loan for a trucking business after she transferred the house to her name. But the business failed, and Lakeisha has yet to repay the loans. As per the U.S. Sun, even Serena told Lakeisha to vacate her house.
The Sun also believes that Richard Williams will gain repossession of the house soon. Even though Lakeisha has filed for bankruptcy again, it may not change the outcome of the lawsuit. The bank-appointed trustee in charge of her case has asked for the latest claim to be dismissed. Lakeisha was in debt even before she met Richard.
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Watch this story – “A Real No-Nonsense Lady”: Serena Williams Once Said That Her Mom Was Very Different From Her Father Richard Williams
Her only asset is the Williams sisters’ childhood home, the current value of which is half its actual worth. The battle has drawn out amidst Richard’s worsening health. However, the eventual climax seems to be in his favor.
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