Last updated on: November 22, 2023
Shaquille O’Neal known as Shaq is an American former basketball player and current sports analyst.
He was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey. His biological father, Joe Toney, faced drug issues and imprisonment. Shaq’s stepfather, Phillip Arthur Harrison, a military man, raised him. Growing up, Shaq lived in Germany and Texas because of his stepfather’s job.
At 16, Shaq was already 6 ft 10 in tall. He led his San Antonio high school basketball team to a state title. Shaq went to LSU, became a top college player, and left early for the NBA.
In 1992, the Orlando Magic picked Shaq first in the NBA draft. He won Rookie of the Year and reached the NBA Finals with the Magic in 1995. Shaq then joined the Los Angeles Lakers, winning three championships from 2000 to 2002. After a feud with Kobe Bryant, Shaq moved to the Miami Heat and won another championship in 2006. Before his retirement, he also played for other teams like Phoenix, Cleveland, and Boston.
Shaq won the Most Valuable Player award in 1999–2000, was named to 15 All-Star teams, and won three Finals MVP awards. In all-time leaderboard, he has the 8th most points and 6th most field goals. Shaq entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2017.
As of December 2024, Shaq O’Neal is 52 years and 9 months old, his estimated net worth is $420 million, and he stands at a height of 7 feet 1 inch (216 cm or 2.16 m) tall.
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Bio/Wiki
Full Name
Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal
Nickname
Superman, Shaq, Diesel, The Big Aristotle, Shaq Fu, The Big Agave
Profession
Retired professional basketball player, Analyst, Entrepreneur, Rapper
Career
NBA Debut
Orlando Magic (1992)
Best Known for
Serving in the NBA for 19 years as a basketball player
Jersey Number
32, 34, 33, 36
Position
Center
Playing Career
1992–2011
Personal life
Date of Birth
March 6, 1972
Age
As of today, Shaq is 52 years and 9 months old.
Zodiac sign
Pisces
Signature
Nationality
American
Birth Place
Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
Residence
Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
School / College / University
Robert G. Cole High School
Louisiana State University
University of Phoenix
Barry University
Religion
Islam
Shaquille O’Neal has identified himself as Muslim and has expressed a desire to perform Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. His first and middle names, Shaquille and Rashaun, have Arabic origins, meaning “little one” and “warrior” respectively, which further signifies his connection to Islam.
O’Neal also mentioned that he feels an affinity towards multiple religions, saying, “I’m Muslim, I’m Jewish, I’m Buddhist, I’m everybody ’cause I’m a people person”.
Race / Ethnicity
African-American
Food Habits
Previously Non-vegetarian, Now Vegan
Shaquille O’Neal used to follow a high-protein, low-carb diet, focusing on protein as the main component of each meal. This diet included fish, chicken, and protein shakes, along with fruits. For breakfast, he would typically have three turkey sausages and four or five egg whites, followed by fruits and then a shake and fruit later in the day.
More recently, O’Neal revealed that he is transitioning to a vegan diet. In an interview, he mentioned exploring vegan eating options, particularly enjoying plant-based foods available at an Atlanta restaurant, Slutty Vegan.
Hobbies
Boxing, beach volleyball, Football, Swimming, Yoga
Physical Stats & More
Height
- In feet – 7′ 1″
- In Centimeters – 216 cm
- In meters – 2.16 m
Weight
- In kilograms – 149 kg
- In Pounds – 328.5 lbs
Body Measurements
- Chest Size: 57 inches
- Biceps Size: 20 inches
- Waist Size: 48 inches
Shoe size
22 (US)
Eye color
Black
Hair Color
Bald
Family
Shaquille O’Neal has a family of six children. His children’s names are Taahirah, Myles, Shareef, Shaqir, Amirah, and Me’arah. His parents are Lucille O’Neal and Joseph Toney. He was formerly married to Shaunie O’Neal from 2002 until their divorce in 2011.
Wife
Shaunie O’Neal (2002–2011)
Father
Joseph Toney
Phillip Arthur Harrison (Stepfather) (Worked in the Military) (He raised him and Shaq admired him as his real dad)
Mother
Lucille O’Neal
Siblings
Ayesha Harrison-Jex (maternal half-sister) (Died at the age of 40 due to cancer)
Jamal Harrison (Maternal Half-Brother)
Lateefah Jackson (nee Harrison) (maternal half-sister)
Children
Shareef O’Neal (Son) (Born on January 11, 2000) (Basketball player)
Shaqir O’Neal (Son) (Born on April 19, 2003) (Basketball Player)
Me’arah O’Neal (Daughter) ( Born on May 1, 2006) (basketball player)
Myles O’Neal (Step-Son) (Born on May 8, 1997) (DJ)
Taahirah O’Neal (Daughter with Arnetta Yardbourgh) (Born on July 19, 1996)
Amirah O’Neal (Daughter) (Born on November 13, 2001)
Relationship & More
Marital Status
Engaged with Laticia Rolle
Marriage Date
December 26, 2002
Girlfriend and Dating History
Arnetta Yardbourgh (1995–1996)
Shaquille O’Neal and Arnetta Yardbourgh’s relationship started when they were in high school in Texas, and their romance likely began during this time. Their relationship continued into the early 1990s, with reports indicating they were together when Shaq was drafted into the NBA in 1992. They eventually parted ways in the mid-90s. Yarbrough is the mother of Shaq’s first child, Taahirah O’Neal.
Shaunie O’Neal (1999–2010)
Shaquille O’Neal and Shaunie O’Neal’s relationship began in the late 1990s. At the Shaquille, having moved from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1998, met Shaunie Nelson. She was a film marketing executive. After some years of dating, they married in 2002. But after 7 years of marriage, they separated and got divorced. Despite the end of their marital relationship, Shaunie and Shaquille have found a way to co-parent effectively.
Karrine Steffans (2004–2005)
Shaquille O’Neal and Karrine Steffans, an author and “video vixen,” had a relationship from 2004 to 2005. Steffans is known for her book “Confessions of a Video Vixen,” which details her encounters with various famous athletes and rap stars. Their relationship was part of Steffan’s broader narrative of her experiences with prominent public figures.
Dominica Wrestling (2007–2010)
Shaquille O’Neal and Dominica Westling, a model from Sweden, were in a relationship from 2007 to 2010. This was around the same time Shaq’s marriage was ending. Their relationship became known to the public when emails and messages they shared were released in 2010.
Nicole Alexander (2010–2013)
Shaquille O’Neal and Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander started dating in 2010, following Shaq’s separation from Shaunie O’Neal. The couple lived together for a time and were even engaged. However, their relationship ended in 2012, with Nicole Alexander confirming their split to the Boston Globe.
Laticia Rolle (2014–2018)
Shaquille O’Neal and Laticia Rolle began dating in 2014, three years after Shaq retired from the NBA. Rolle, a model and entrepreneur, had a background in basketball, having played college hoops at Eckerd College. Their relationship was Shaq’s longest since his marriage to Shaunie Nelson. While the exact details of their breakup are not clear, it appears they parted ways around March 2018.
Annie Ilonzeh (2019–Present)
Shaquille O’Neal began dating Annie Ilonzeh, an actress, in early 2019. The couple, who both belong to the entertainment industry, were first publicly spotted together in January 2019. They were seen holding hands and enjoying time together at a beach in Spain. Their relationship has been reported as strong, with multiple sightings of them together over the year.
Favorite Things
- Food – Turkey Sandwich
- Favorite Movie – The Godfather (1972), Coming to America (1988)
- Favorite All-Time Favorite Basketball Player – Bill Russell
- Vacation Place – Turks & Caicos
- Favorite All-Time Favorite Meal – Baked Macaroni and fried chicken
Net Worth 2024
$420 million
As of December 2024, Shaquille O’Neal’s estimated net worth is $420 million. He made this fortune from various sources.
NBA Career
Shaq made most of his money from his NBA career. During his NBA career, Shaquille O’Neal earned a total of approximately $286 million. His first NBA contract was for $3 million with the Orlando Magic, this was huge at that time. With 9 years with the Lakers, he earned around $166 million. In the season of 2004-05, he earned his career-high salary of around $27.69 million. He also played for other teams like Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland, and Boston.
Endorsements
Shaq also earned a significant amount from endorsements throughout his career. It is estimated that he made about $200 million from various endorsement deals. His popularity and recognition made him a sought-after spokesperson for many brands. He did with major brands like Reebok, PepsiCo, and Papa John’s.
Businesses and Investments
He is also making good investments. Shaquille O’Neal’s business ventures and investments span a wide range of industries. He has been involved in various business arenas, including technology startups like Google, franchise investments in companies like Auntie Anne’s pretzels, Papa John’s pizza chain, and several car washes. Additionally, he owns a stake in the Sacramento Kings NBA team, has his own clothing line called The Big Aristotle, and has ventured into real estate investments.
These all sources showcase Shaq’s acumen in expanding his financial portfolio beyond his basketball career.
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Net worth Growth
| Net worth in 2023 | $420 million |
| Net worth in 2022 | $390 million |
| Net worth in 2021 | $360 million |
| Net worth in 2020 | $345 million |
| Net worth in 2011 | $220 million |
Current Earnings
| Yearly Earnings | $30 million + |
| Monthly Earnings | $2.5 million |
| Weekly Earnings | $625 thousand |
NBA Salaries
| YEAR | TEAM | SALARY |
| 1992-93 | Orlando Magic | $3,000,000 |
| 1993-94 | Orlando Magic | $3,900,000 |
| 1994-95 | Orlando Magic | $4,800,000 |
| 1995-96 | Orlando Magic | $5,700,000 |
| 1996-97 | Los Angeles Lakers | $10,714,000 |
| 1997-98 | Los Angeles Lakers | $12,857,143 |
| 1998-99 | Los Angeles Lakers | $9,146,341 |
| 1999-00 | Los Angeles Lakers | $17,142,858 |
| 2000-01 | Los Angeles Lakers | $19,285,715 |
| 2001-02 | Los Angeles Lakers | $21,428,572 |
| 2002-03 | Los Angeles Lakers | $23,571,429 |
| 2003-04 | Los Angeles Lakers | $24,749,999 |
| 2004-05 | Los Angeles Lakers | $27,696,430 |
| 2005-06 | Miami Heat | $20,000,000 |
| 2006-07 | Miami Heat | $20,000,000 |
| 2007-08 | Phoenix Suns | $20,000,000 |
| 2008-09 | Phoenix Suns | $21,000,000 |
| 2009-10 | Cleveland Cavaliers | $20,000,000 |
| 2010-11 | Boston Celtics | $1,352,181 |
|
Total Career Earnings
|
$286,344,668 |
Car collection
- Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (1963)
- Ferrari 355 F1 Spider
- Customized Chevrolet Express G1500
- Cadillac Escalade
- Bentley Azure
- Bentley Arnage
- Bentley Continental GT
- Mercedes S550 Convertible
- Lamborghini Gallardo
- Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible
- Polaris Slingshot
- Vanderhall Venice Roadster
- Vaydor
- Rolls-Royce Cullinan
- Nikola Badger
Lesser Known Facts
- At the age of 10, Shaq was already 6 feet 4 inches tall, showing early signs of his future towering stature.
- Shaq is quite studious. During his time in the NBA, he continued his education and earned a doctorate degree.
- His father was a drill sergeant, which influenced Shaq’s disciplined upbringing.
- Shaq is also a sworn-in Miami Beach police officer and has actively participated in law enforcement activities.
