Shaquille O’Neal is huge. Not just in height, but in presence. For over a decade, the person standing closest to that massive spotlight was Shaunie. People still search for the wife of Shaquille O'Neal like they’re looking for a current status update, but honestly, that title is a relic. It’s been over fifteen years since they split.
Shaunie isn’t just an "ex" anymore. She’s a media mogul, a mother of five, and now, the First Lady of a megachurch in Houston.
The story of their marriage is often painted in broad strokes—the luxury, the infidelity, the reality TV drama. But if you look closer, specifically at the shift that happened around 2024 and 2025, the narrative changed. It’s no longer about being the woman behind the man. It’s about a woman who redefined herself after the biggest name in sports was no longer her partner.
The Reality of Being the Wife of Shaquille O'Neal
They met in the late '90s. Shaq was the King of LA, fresh off a move from Orlando. They married in 2002 in a ceremony that was basically the definition of "extra." It was at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Security was tighter than a playoff defense.
But behind the scenes? It wasn't all championship rings and red carpets.
Shaunie has been incredibly candid lately about the isolation she felt. In her 2024 memoir Undefeated: Changing the Rules and Winning on My Own Terms, she dropped a bombshell that had the internet reeling. She admitted she wasn't sure if she ever truly loved Shaq. That sounds harsh, right? But she explained it as being in love with the idea of the family and the life they were building, rather than the man himself.
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Shaq’s response was surprisingly mature. On Instagram, he basically said, "I understand. I wouldn't have loved me either." It’s a rare moment of vulnerability from a guy who usually spends his time making commercials for insurance and printer ink.
A Timeline of Turbulence
- 1997-1998: The meeting. Shaq leaves Orlando for the Lakers; Shaunie enters the picture.
- 2002: The wedding. Private, star-studded, and expensive.
- 2007: The first filing. Shaq filed for divorce first. They tried to make it work.
- 2009: The final split. This time, Shaunie filed.
- 2011: The divorce is finalized.
The Infidelity That Broke the Net
Let’s be real. You can’t talk about the wife of Shaquille O'Neal without talking about why she isn't his wife anymore. Shaq has admitted it. He was a world-class athlete with "too many options."
The names linked to him during that era read like a mid-2000s tabloid: Karrine Steffans, Vanessa Lopez, even rumors involving family friends. It was messy. It was public. For Shaunie, it was the catalyst to stop being a "basketball wife" and start being a businesswoman.
She turned that pain into a paycheck. She created Basketball Wives on VH1. Some people hate the show for the drama, but from a business perspective? It was genius. She took the very thing that was destroying her private life and turned it into a multi-million dollar franchise.
Who is the "Wife of Shaquille O'Neal" Today?
If you're looking for the current wife of Shaquille O'Neal, the answer is: there isn't one.
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As of early 2026, Shaq is single. Or at least, he isn't married. Just a few days ago, in January 2026, Shaq did an interview in Houston where he admitted he might be ready to marry again at 53. He’s tired of being alone. He’s even joking about his "criteria"—basically just someone who is "nice" and has a "decent personality."
The New Chapter for Shaunie
Shaunie, on the other hand, moved on in a big way. In May 2022, she married Pastor Keion Henderson.
The wedding was in Anguilla. It was beautiful. Her three sons—Shareef, Myles, and Shaqir—walked her down the aisle. It was a full-circle moment. She went from the chaotic world of pro sports to the structured, faith-based world of The Lighthouse Church in Houston.
What most people get wrong is thinking there’s still beef between her and Shaq. There isn't. They co-parent six kids (including Myles from Shaunie’s previous relationship and Taahirah from Shaq’s) with a level of cooperation that’s actually kind of inspiring. When Shareef had heart surgery in 2018, they were a united front.
The Business of Being Shaunie
She’s not just living off alimony. Not even close.
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Shaunie has built a brand that stands on its own. While she’s still an Executive Producer, her focus has shifted toward philanthropy and her role as a "First Lady." She and Keion are basically a power couple in the Houston community.
Meanwhile, Shaq is busy launching "Shaq-A-Licious SLAMS" gummies with Hershey’s (yes, that’s a real thing that just launched this month) and DJing at festivals. Their lives couldn't be more different. He’s the eternal kid; she’s the one who grew up.
Actionable Takeaways from the Shaq and Shaunie Saga
If there's a lesson in the story of the wife of Shaquille O'Neal, it’s about the "Next Act."
- Redefine Your Identity: Shaunie didn't let a public divorce define her. She used the platform to build a career that outlasted her marriage.
- Radical Accountability: Shaq’s willingness in 2025 and 2026 to admit his faults is a masterclass in PR. If you mess up, own it. People forgive honesty; they don't forgive excuses.
- Co-Parenting is a Business: Treat it like one. They put the kids first and kept the personal drama out of the headlines for the sake of the family.
- It’s Never Too Late: Shaq looking for love at 53 and Shaunie finding it at 47 proves that your "happily ever after" doesn't have a deadline.
The "wife" title is gone, but the legacy of how they handled the end of their marriage is still very much alive. Shaunie Henderson proved you can survive the shadow of a giant and come out standing just as tall.
To keep up with Shaunie’s current ventures, you can follow her work with The Lighthouse Church or check out her latest production credits on VH1. If you're looking for Shaq, he's probably at a nearby retailer launching his new candy line or on TNT for Inside the NBA.