Tennis continues to remain central to Venus Williams’ identity, yet her influence now extends far beyond the sport itself. The latest recognition of her prominence arrives through one of fashion’s most prestigious platforms, as the legendary athlete has secured a position that underscores her status as a global cultural icon.
Venus Williams Set to Co-Chair Met Gala with Beyoncé
Williams, who at 45 years old continues to remain a force in professional tennis, has been named co-chair of the 2026 Met Gala alongside Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Anna Wintour. The announcement marks a significant honor for Williams, who has never previously held this prestigious role.
Her selection comes seven years after her younger sister Serena served as co-chair of the 2019 Met Gala alongside Lady Gaga and Harry Styles.
Beyoncé previously held an honorary chair position in 2013, while Kidman co-chaired the events in 2003 and 2005. Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue, has chaired or overseen the annual event since 1995.
NEW YORK (AP) — Beyoncé will co-chair the 2026 Met Gala along with Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman and Anna Wintour. pic.twitter.com/j7ihEcQWoh
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 10, 2025
MORE: Will Serena Williams Make a 2026 Comeback? Venus Williams Gives Her Say Amid Recent ITIA Inclusion
The gala will take place on May 4, 2026, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and will support the Costume Institute through its spring exhibition. Last year’s gala achieved record-breaking success, generating $31 million for the museum’s coffers, underscoring the significance of the event.
The host committee for 2026 will be chaired by designer Anthony Vaccarello and filmmaker Zoë Kravitz, with additional members including musicians Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, LISA, and Sam Smith, as well as dancer Misty Copeland and actors Teyana Taylor, Elizabeth Debicki, and Gwendoline Christie.
Major Announcements by Williams As 2025 Ends
Williams has experienced considerable personal joy in recent weeks following the public confirmation of her engagement to Italian actor and producer Andrea Preti. In early December, Williams shared the news on Instagram with several photographs of the couple, captioning the post “Engaged 1/31/25” to reveal that the pair had become engaged on January 31, 2025.
Their relationship was largely private until rumors of an engagement began circulating in February 2025, when Williams was photographed wearing a diamond ring. In July 2025, following her first singles victory in 16 months at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C., Williams publicly mentioned her fiancé, stating that “my fiancé is here and he really encouraged me to keep playing.”
MORE: Venus Williams Unveils Rare Pictures of Her and Fiancé Andrea Preti in Romantic Setting
The day after Williams’ engagement announcement, Serena Williams’ name resurfaced on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s Registered Testing Pool on December 2, 2025, triggering widespread speculation about a potential comeback. The ITIA confirmed that Serena had requested reinstatement into the testing program; however, she later addressed the speculations by posting on X, “Omg y’all I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
Speaking about a potential Williams sisters reunion, Venus stated, “I can only speak for myself. All I know is I can’t get Serena on the court. She doesn’t practice. So it seems very unlikely to me.” Her comments underscored that despite Serena rejoining the testing pool, there were no concrete signs of active competitive preparation or training behind the scenes.