Serena and Venus Williams’ homage film to their father Richard Williams released on 19 November 2021, starring Will Smith. The biopic has prompted interest in his third marriage with Lakeisha Juanita Graham, the tennis players’ stepmother.
King Richard stars Will Smith, who portrays Richard Williams, father and coach of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.
During the early years of their booming sporting career, the media portrayed Richard in a negative light because of his strict training conditions and penchant for pulling his future superstar daughters out of tournaments.
However, Williams claimed he only did that to protect his daughters from the youth tennis environment.
The biopic includes the appearances of Venus and Serena’s mother and his second wife Oracene “Brandy” Price, portrayed by Aunjanue Ellis.
Now viewers are interested in Williams’ third marriage, to Lakeisha Juanita Graham.
Who is Lakeisha Juanita Graham?
Lakeisha was born in 1979, making her 42 years old – only one year older than her stepdaughter Venus. A native of Broward, Florida, she is reportedly a media personality and entrepreneur. Before she met Richard, she owned a grocery store.
Lakeisha married Richard on 29 December 2010 when she was 32 and he was 69, meaning they have a 37-year age gap.
The pair welcomed son Dylan Starr Richard Williams in August 2012. At the time, Serena revealed she enjoyed being a big sister for the first time but felt “like a grandma”.
However, Richard and Lakeisha split in 2017 with their relationship ending in a messy divorce. Lakeisha claimed Serena’s legal team ordered her to leave the Palm Beach property Serena owned with Richard.
TV One also reported Richard had filed court documents accusing Lakeisha of taking advantage of his declining health and forging his signature on mortgage papers.
The NY Post reports the divorce remains ongoing.
What is her net worth?
Lakeisha reportedly has a net worth of between $1 million and $2 million.
Blessing Iyamadiken loves the art of storytelling and enjoys creating all types of content from news to entertainment. She is also a feminist and very passionate about Gender Equality. In her spare time, she loves to read or binge on Netflix.
