Who was Serena and Venus Williams’ late sister Yetunde Price? Everything we know about the tennis champions’ tragically murdered sibling, featured in Will Smith movie King Richard

Nov 27 , 2021

The late Yetunde Price with Serena Williams. Photo: @uwagbale_/Twitter

Serena Williams said on Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk that she cried after seeing actress Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew portray her late sister in the biopic

The tennis stars opened Compton’s Yetunde Price Resource Center to honour Yetunde, who served as their personal assistant before her tragic death in 2003

When one thinks of famed tennis sisters Serena and Venus Williams, images of impressive rallies and grand slam championships come to mind. Yet few people remember that the Williams sisters overcame many hardships to get to where they are now.

The film King Richard, starring Will Smith, delves into the backstory of the Williams family and the difficulties that they’ve faced on the way to tennis stardom – including financial struggles, racism and violence.

Will Smith plays tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams father in King Richard. Photo: HBO Max/TNS

One character that stands out in the film is Yetunde Price, who was portrayed by Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew. Price was the older half-sister and served as their personal assistant before her tragic death in 2003 at the age of 31.

Here are a few things to know about her.

I think I cried the whole time. Whenever she came on film, I just … personally, I just started

Serena Williams

She served as Venus and Serena’s personal assistant

Serena and Venus Williams’ late sister Yetunde Price. Photo: splashnews.com

While Venus and Serena share eight siblings, they considered Price one of their closest sisters, even taking her on board as their personal assistant. Price frequently joined her sisters at their tournaments, including the 1997 US Open and Wimbledon.

Venus and Serena Williams at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in 2003 in London. Photo: AFP

Close friends of Price said that while Venus and Serena might have overshadowed her, she still saw the pair as her little sisters. So close was her relationship with them, that she even talked to them every night before bed, according to Showbiz Cheatsheet.