Alexis Ohanian embodies modern family man, passionately devoting himself to Serena Williams and their daughters, along with supporting husband-father roles and their values and priorities as son-figure. Recently he openly revealed why Reddit sale decision was deeply personal for him — beyond simple business considerations but out of concern for mother’s financial security during her health struggles.
Ohanian shared an emotional video on Instagram at 41, reflecting upon how selling Reddit had been both daunting and life-altering for him. Instead of prioritizing financial gains over providing care for Anke Ohanian who was going through chemotherapy treatment for cancer at this time. “When I sold @reddit in 2006, my earnings exceeded those made by either parent combined during their entire lives… this happened just when she had already been diagnosed; so instead my priority wasn’t cash gains, but rather helping her receive optimal medical treatments,” Ohanian explained.
Having co-founded Reddit just after college in 2005 alongside Steve Huffman and Aaron Swartz, Ohanian quickly escalated the social platform’s brand value. The sale to Conde Nast for $10 Million marked a significant financial achievement, surpassing the total earnings of his parents over their lifetimes. Ohanian regards this achievement as one of the most grounding experiences of his life, teaching him the importance of surrounding oneself with people who provide support and emphasize the value of experiences over material possessions.
Alexis Ohanian’s parents played a significant role in his life; his father, Chris Ohanian, ran a small travel business, while his mother worked as a pharmacy technician before her diagnosis with an incurable brain tumor in 2005. She passed away in 2008. Reflecting on these moments, Ohanian has previously shared how selling Reddit for $10 Million was a tribute to his mother’s unwavering confidence in him.
Ohanian has maintained his connections to Reddit even after leaving its leadership, returning as executive chairman when Yishan Wong left as CEO in 2014. Ohanian credits family, particularly memory of mother as his primary motivators; Ohanian often speaks openly of missing having seen their professional and personal milestones through.
A Tribute to a Beloved Mother
Ohanian continues to pay his mother tribute, underscoring the significance of family values in his life and underlining how important family is. Even through all his business success, Ohanian never loses sight of how important loved ones are despite business triumph; often sharing how he misses her when speaking of accomplishments he’s accomplished. Such heartfelt connections underscore how essential prioritizing family over all else can be.