Alexis Ohanian, the Reddit co-founder and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, recently shared a deeply personal moment during his travels in Sweden.
A simple snack, deeply rooted in his childhood, triggered a powerful wave of emotion and reflection-reminding him of the woman who helped shape his life and career
Ohanian, 41, lost his mother, Anke Ohanian, in 2008 to glioblastoma, a severe and fast-growing form of brain cancer. She was only 54.
The loss left a deep imprint on Ohanian, who often honors her memory through heartfelt social media posts and charitable efforts. But this latest moment came unexpectedly, courtesy of a piece of candy.
“This Nordic licorice reminds me of my mom, she loved the stuff – it’s not for the weak – but I love it too NGL. Tack Sweden! See ya again soon,” Ohanian wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, alongside a video showing a variety of Nordic licorice he encountered during his visit.
The treat he referenced-salty licorice or “salmiakki”-is popular in Finland and other Nordic countries, known for its strong flavor and ammonium chloride content. It’s also widely available in northern Germany, where his mother was born and raised.