Shaquille O’Neal Divorced: His Historical past of Marriage, Defined

Studying Time: 3 minutes

Shaquille O’Neal has had some turbulence and tumbles as he bought married and divorced.

Although the basketball legend is broadly beloved for his character and for a few of his extra entertaining purchases.

However he has additionally admitted to creating errors over time.

A few of which led to his divorce.

Shaquille O’Neal attends a semifinal recreation of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Cell Area between the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks on December 14, 2024. (Photograph Credit score: Ethan Miller/Getty Photos)

Sure, Shaquille O’Neal has been married and divorced

On December 26, 2002, Shaquille O’Neal married Shaunie Nelson.

Along with every having a baby from a earlier relationship, the 2 welcomed 4 kids. Famously, Shareef O’Neal is one in all them.

Nevertheless, the wedding was to not final.

Shaquille O'Neal on May 14, 2025. Shaquille O’Neal attends Warner Bros. Discoveryâs 2025 Upfront arrivals at The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard on Might 14, 2025. (Photograph Credit score: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photos for Warner Bros. Discovery)

In September of 2007, Shaq filed for divorce.

He would later withdraw the divorce petition, explaining that the couple was again collectively. It occurs!

However in November of 2009, it was Shaunie’s flip to file. This signaled the true finish of their marriage.

In 2011, the 2 finalized their divorce.

Shaquille O'Neal on April 5, 2025. Shaquille O’Neal attends the Shaquille O’Neal Large Pod Occasion at Dwelling Room San Antonio on April 05, 2025. (Photograph Credit score: Chris Saucedo/Getty Photos)

Why did the wedding finish?

In her new e book, Undefeated: Altering the Guidelines and Successful on My Personal Phrases, Shaunie delved into the downfall of her marriage to the basketball legend.

She shared that her erstwhile husband leaving the Lakers (a Los Angeles basketball workforce) and their household shifting to Miami made it clear that one thing wasn’t proper.

“I enjoyed those sweet early years being a mother and raising my children,” she displays.

“My days were always busy with kids and family, and every now and then I got to travel or enjoy a little of the NBA high life.”

“But invisibly, my marriage was beginning to crumble,” Shaunie writes of the place issues fell aside with Shaquille O’Neal. “As I’ve written, it wasn’t obvious early on.”

She explains with an analogy:

“You know how when you first get sick, and the symptoms are so mild that you’re not even sure you are sick?” That may be a acquainted idea.

“That’s how things were in the early years,” Shaunie characterizes.

“I was busy and happy and didn’t notice what was going on. But as the disease progressed, the symptoms became harder and harder to ignore.”

Shaquille O'Neal in front of a giant Superman emblem. On Might 14, 2025, Shaquille O’Neal attended WBD upfronts that included the brand new Superman movie. (Photograph Credit score: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photos for Warner Bros. Discovery)

‘Nobody works out that usually’

“Take Shaquille’s habit of ‘going missing,’” Shaunie writes. “Our chef did all the grocery shopping. His managers paid all the bills. I took care of the kids.”

She asks: “So where was he going in the morning, during the day, and at night? No one works out that often.”

Shaunie grows much more direct:

“When we moved to Miami, I even heard a rumor that he had a condo in Miami Beach. I started to get suspicious, but he always had an answer, and I could never prove anything. Eventually, I was forced to admit that my family life wasn’t as blissful or perfect as I wanted to believe.”

Shaquille O'Neal on February 7, 2025. Shaquille O’Neal performs at Shaq’s Enjoyable Home at Mardi Gras World on February 7, 2025. (Photograph Credit score: Skip Bolen/Getty Photos)