Elio Pis Biography

Passionate about fashion and beauty, Elio Pis began his career as a model after completing his studies. His six-foot-two-inch frame made him the perfect candidate for a number of modeling campaigns, including one for 'French Vogue' in which he appeared alongside actress Brooke Shields. Another of his modeling gigs allowed him to work with entrepreneur Russell Simmons in a campaign for one of his clothing lines. In 2012, he appeared alongside tennis legend Venus Williams for an advertisement campaign for the website of her athletic clothing line, EleVen, which primarily consists of ready-to-wear tennis apparel. Elio Pis, who already had a successful modeling career, gained media attention after he began to accompany Williams to the court during her matches and training sessions. Gossips about their affair did the rounds of tabloids throughout 2012 and 2013.

Elio Alberto Pis was born in Cuba but grew up in the United States as his family relocated to Marathon, Florida when he was a child. He also spent part of his early life in West Hollywood, California. He had to learn English to be able to continue his studies in the US. He attended Marathon High School in Florida, from where he graduated in 2006. He then enrolled into Miami Dade College but later transferred to Florida International University where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2010.

According to his Facebook profile, he is a free spirit who is realist and optimistic at the same time, and someone who thinks constantly. He loves to read and watch movies in his spare time and is particularly fond of the book 'The Moral Animal' by Robert Wright and the film 'A Bronx Tale' starring Robert De Niro. His hobbies include playing checkers and water skiing.

According to 'People' magazine, Elio Pis, who is a huge tennis fan, met Venus Williams for the first time in 2012 when he modeled for clothing line EleVen. He was 24 at the time, while Williams was eight years his senior at 32. They were first spotted together publicly after Williams made her return to court following her battle with Sjögren's Syndrome, a systemic autoimmune disease, at the U.S. Open in New York in mid-2012. He regularly watched her matches from the gallery throughout the event, and the media also found them having intimate moments together inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

After Venus was eliminated from the tournament following her loss to Germany's Angelique Kerber, the two cheered for her sister Serena during her quarterfinal match against Ana Ivanovic. He later joined her on court in Miami in March 2013 when she was participating in the Sony Open. The media did not miss to notice how the ace tennis player seemed distracted during the training session by his presence on the court. The way she often stopped to join him in public display of affection, it was clear that tennis had momentarily taken a backseat in her mind. The couple was spotted together several times in the following years till 2015, after which they reportedly split.

More recently, the two were seen having dinner together at Fi’lia at SLS Brickell after Venus Williams’ big win at the Miami Open in 2017, which sparked rumors that they might be considering to rekindle their relationship. However, she was accompanied by millionaire heir Nicholas Hammond, son of socialite Dana Hammond, at her sister Serena's wedding in November 2017 and they are reportedly seeing each other currently. While not much is known about his other affairs, prior to dating Pis, Williams was involved in a longtime relationship with pro golfer Hank Kuehne.