When we think of the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, we often associate them with their father and coach, Richard Williams. But did you know their mother, Oracene Price, was married before? Her first husband was a man named Yusef Rasheed.
While he may not be as well-known as Richard, Yusef played an important role in the lives of Oracene and her daughters. In this post, we’ll explore who Yusef Rasheed was and his family life with Oracene.
Who is Yusef Rasheed?
Yusef Rasheed was born in the mid-20th century in the United States. Details about his exact date and place of birth are not publicly known. What we do know is that at some point, likely in the 1960s or early 1970s, Yusef met and married Oracene Price.
Oracene, born in 1952, was a young woman at the time of their marriage. Together, Yusef and Oracene started a family. They welcomed three daughters into the world during their time as husband and wife.
Unfortunately, their marriage was cut short by tragedy. In 1979, while his daughters were still young, Yusef Rasheed suffered a fatal heart attack. His unexpected passing undoubtedly had a profound impact on Oracene and the girls. They had to move forward without the presence of a father and husband.
Despite the hardship of losing Yusef, Oracene showed remarkable strength. She continued to raise her daughters as a single mother before later marrying Richard Williams in 1980. The rest, as they say, is history – but Yusef’s influence as the first father figure in the lives of Venus and Serena’s half-sisters cannot be forgotten.
Early Life and Family
As mentioned, not much is publicly known about Yusef Rasheed’s early life before marrying Oracene Price. We can assume he was likely born in the 1940s or early 1950s, as Oracene herself was born in 1952.
Yusef and Oracene’s exact wedding date isn’t clear. However, we know it would have taken place sometime before the birth of their first child in the late 1960s or early 1970s.
During their time together, Yusef and Oracene built a family life in California. Yusef worked to provide for his wife and children, while Oracene cared for their home and daughters. Though details are scarce, by all accounts they worked hard to create a loving environment for their young family.
Sadly, Yusef did not get the chance to see his daughters grow up, as his life was cut short in 1979. The loss of a parent is never easy, especially at a young age. But with Oracene’s love and care, the Rasheed girls were able to carry their father’s memory as they matured into adulthood.
Marriage to Oracene Price
Oracene Price, the mother of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, was first married to Yusef Rasheed. Though their exact wedding date is not public knowledge, we can piece together a timeline of their relationship.
Oracene was born in 1952, so she was likely in her late teens or early twenties when she met Yusef. The couple settled in California and started their family in the late 1960s or early 1970s.
Throughout their marriage, Yusef and Oracene had three daughters together: Yetunde, Isha, and Lyndrea. Raising three young children is no easy feat, but by all accounts, Yusef and Oracene did their best to provide a stable and loving home. As with any marriage, the Rasheeds likely faced their share of ups and downs. But they worked together to build a life and family. Yusef supported Oracene and their daughters until his untimely passing in 1979.
Losing her husband at a young age could not have been easy for Oracene. Suddenly, she was a single mother of three girls. But with strength and determination, she carried on. She later found love again with Richard Williams, whom she married in 1980.
Though short-lived, Oracene’s first marriage to Yusef Rasheed was an important chapter in her life story. Together they created a family and laid the foundation for the incredible woman Oracene would become.
Children with Oracene Price: Yetunde, Isha, and Lyndrea
Yusef Rasheed and Oracene Price had three daughters together during their marriage: Yetunde, Isha, and Lyndrea. Yetunde Price was the eldest child, born in the late 1960s or early 1970s. As the firstborn, she undoubtedly held a special place in her parents’ hearts. Sadly, Yetunde’s life would also be marked by tragedy. In 2003, she died at the age of 31 in a shooting incident. Her loss deeply affected the entire family. Isha Price followed soon after Yetunde. Like her older sister, Isha grew up under the love and care of Yusef and Oracene. After Yusef’s passing, Isha gained a stepfather in Richard Williams and two younger half-sisters, Venus and Serena. She maintained a close relationship with her famous siblings over the years.
Lyndrea Price is the youngest of Yusef and Oracene’s three daughters. Though her father passed away when she was very young, Lyndrea had the support of her mother and sisters. She too witnessed her half-sisters’ rise to tennis stardom.
For Yetunde, Isha, and Lyndrea, their early years were shaped by the love of their parents, Yusef and Oracene. Even though Yusef died when the girls were young, the bond of family remained strong. Oracene made sure her daughters knew they were cherished.
As adults, the Price sisters have honoured their father’s memory. They understand the importance of family and have supported each other through good times and bad. The legacy of Yusef Rasheed lives on through his daughters and the love they share.
Tragic Passing and Its Impact on His Family
Yusef Rasheed’s life was cut short, leaving behind his wife Oracene and their three daughters – Yetunde, Lyndrea, and Isha. His sudden passing was a devastating blow to the family. They had to grapple with the loss of a loving husband and father.
But even in the face of this tragedy, the family persevered. Oracene, a strong and resilient woman, worked tirelessly to provide for her daughters. She instilled in them the values of hard work, determination, and never giving up on your dreams – values that Yusef himself embodied.
Oracene Price’s Second Marriage to Richard William
Some years after Yusef’s passing, Oracene met Richard Williams. They fell in love and got married. Richard became a stepfather to Yetunde, Lyndrea, and Isha, and together, he and Oracene had two more daughters – Venus and Serena.
Richard was instrumental in introducing Venus and Serena to tennis and coaching them into the champions they are today. But it was the foundation laid by Yusef and Oracene in those early years – the values of hard work, perseverance, and family unity – that truly set the stage for the Williams sisters’ success.
Yusef Rasheed’s Role in Tennis Family History:
While Yusef Rasheed may not have lived to see his stepdaughters Venus and Serena dominate the tennis world, his influence on the family cannot be overstated. He was a loving and supportive husband to Oracene, and a doting father to Yetunde, Lyndrea, and Isha.
Yusef’s entrepreneurial spirit and determination were qualities that Oracene would later instil in all her children. His love for his family and his unwavering support of their dreams, even in the face of adversity, set an example that the Williams sisters would follow in their own lives.
Legacy – Influence on the Williams Family
Today, Venus and Serena Williams are household names, celebrated for their incredible achievements on the tennis court. But their success story is not just about athletic prowess – it’s about the unbreakable bond of family and the values of hard work and perseverance that were passed down from their parents.
Yusef Rasheed may not have lived to see his family achieve the level of success they enjoy today, but his legacy lives on through them. His love, his support, and his determination to create a better life for his family laid the groundwork for everything that was to come.
In the end, Yusef Rasheed’s story is one of a loving husband and father whose impact on his family was profound and lasting. Though his time with them was cut short, his memory continues to inspire and guide them to this day. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten – not by his family, and not by those who have been touched by his remarkable life story.
Conclusion
Yusef Rasheed’s life may have been short, but his impact was immeasurable. As a loving husband, father, and role model, he laid the foundation for the success and resilience of the Williams family. His legacy is one of determination, hard work, and unwavering love – values that continue to inspire not just his own family, but anyone who hears his story. Though he may be gone, Yusef Rasheed’s spirit lives on through the incredible achievements of his family and the countless lives they have touched.
