Shaquille O’Neal: Net Worth, Children, Divorce, Sleep Apnea

When a man stands 7 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 325 pounds, it’s easy to think you know everything about him. But Shaquille O’Neal’s story goes far beyond the basketball court — into complicated relationships, surprising health battles, and a financial legacy that still surprises fans.

Height: 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) ·
Weight: 325 lb (147 kg) ·
Net Worth: $400 million (estimated) ·
NBA Championships: 4 ·
Children: 6 ·
Position: Center

Ten key facts, one snapshot: here’s the data you need to know about Shaquille O’Neal’s life, from his physical stats to his family composition.

The pattern: Shaq’s publicly available stats tell only part of the story.

How Many Times Has Shaquille O’Neal Been Married?

Shaquille O’Neal has been married exactly once — to Shaunie Nelson, now Shaunie Henderson. They wed in 1998 and divorced in 2009, sharing four biological children together. According to BET’s archive of Forbes wealth lists, the divorce settlement cut into Shaq’s fortune significantly. He has not remarried since.

Why did Shaquille O’Neal’s wife leave him?

• Infidelity: Reports suggest cheating played a role in the split (Facebook post recounting Shaq’s admission)
• Demanding NBA schedule: Constant travel and time away from family strained the marriage
• No single official reason: Shaunie has not detailed the exact cause publicly

The implication: Shaq’s only marriage ended over a decade ago, and the reasons remain a mix of public speculation and private understanding. For fans, the takeaway is that the divorce shaped both his personal and financial trajectory.

How Many Children Does Shaquille O’Neal Have?

Shaquille O’Neal has six children: Taahirah (from a previous relationship), Myles (adopted), Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me’arah (the latter four with Shaunie). Shareef O’Neal played college basketball at UCLA and LSU. According to a YouTube summary, the family includes four biological children with his ex-wife plus one adopted son and one older daughter.

Who are Shaquille O’Neal’s children?

• Taahirah O’Neal (born 1996, from previous relationship)
• Myles O’Neal (adopted, born 1997)
• Shareef O’Neal (born 2000, played college basketball)
• Amirah O’Neal (born 2001)
• Shaqir O’Neal (born 2003)
• Me’arah O’Neal (born 2006)

Yahoo Finance reported in 2024 that Shaq told his children they won’t automatically inherit his wealth, saying “We ain’t rich. I’m rich.” (Yahoo Finance). The pattern: Shaq maintains clear boundaries between his fortune and his children’s future, a stance that reflects his disciplined approach to money.

How Much Is Shaquille O’Neal Worth?

Forbes estimates Shaquille O’Neal’s net worth at $400 million (Forbes net worth profile). His NBA career earnings exceeded $292 million in salary alone, but his post-retirement income from endorsements, restaurants, and TV analysis keeps the figure climbing. Earlier in 2009, BET’s Forbes archive listed his net worth at $130 million — the divorce settlement had cut into his holdings (BET).

What are Shaquille O’Neal’s income sources?

• NBA salary: >$292 million across 19 seasons (Wikipedia)
• Endorsements: Icy Hot, Papa John’s, Pepsi, Reebok, and more
• Business ventures: Restaurants (Shaq’s), real estate, investments
• TV analyst and personality: TNT’s Inside the NBA, commercials, acting roles

What this means: Shaq’s wealth today comes from a diversified portfolio that outpaces his playing career earnings. The $400M figure is a floor, not a ceiling — but it’s also the most widely cited estimate across validated sources.

What Health Conditions Does Shaquille O’Neal Have?

Shaquille O’Neal has been diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea. According to UC San Diego Health, both he and his wife suspected the condition, leading to an overnight sleep study that confirmed it. He uses a CPAP machine and has openly discussed the scare it gave him. There is no evidence of Marfan syndrome or any other syndrome — his height is genetic, not pathological.

Does Shaquille O’Neal have sleep apnea?

• Yes, diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (UC San Diego Health)
• Reports of stopping breathing 72 times per hour in severe episodes (Dental Sleep Practice)
• Neck size of 21 inches — doctors say anything 18 inches or larger increases snoring and apnea risk (Dental Sleep Practice)
• In 2025, he partnered with Zepbound to raise awareness for treatable sleep apnea (PR Newswire)

The catch: Shaq’s size contributed to his basketball dominance but also to a chronic health condition. His willingness to talk about CPAP therapy and treatment campaigns has made him an unexpected advocate for sleep health.

Is Shaquille O’Neal’s Father Jamaican? And Other Background Questions

No, Shaquille O’Neal’s biological father is Joseph Toot (not Jamaican), and his stepfather Philip Harrison is also not Jamaican. Raised by his mother Lucille O’Neal and stepfather, Shaq attended Louisiana State University (LSU) before being drafted first overall in 1992. The name “Shaquille” is of Arabic origin, meaning “handsome” (Wikipedia).

Where is Shaquille O’Neal from?

• Born in Newark, New Jersey, USA on March 6, 1972 (Wikipedia)
• Grew up in Newark and later in San Antonio, Texas, while his stepfather served in the Army
• Attended Louisiana State University, playing for the Tigers from 1989 to 1992
• His biological father, Joseph Toot, was not involved in his upbringing

The pattern: Shaq’s background is pure American military and sports — no Jamaican connection, despite occasional rumors. The Arabic origin of his name reflects his parents’ creative choice, not heritage.

Two perspectives, one story: here’s what Shaquille O’Neal himself has said about his health and his money.

“I used to get sleep apnea and it scared me. I stopped breathing 72 times an hour.”

— Shaquille O’Neal, Dental Sleep Practice interview

“We ain’t rich. I’m rich.”

— Shaquille O’Neal on his children’s inheritance, Yahoo Finance report

For Shaq’s millions of fans and followers, the lesson is clear: the legend’s wealth, health, and family life are carefully managed, but not without trade-offs. His divorce cost him financially, his sleep apnea requires daily management, and his children face a future of earning their own way. In the end, the man who dominated the paint now dominates a different court — one where transparency and hard work define the game.

Another detailed profile of the NBA legend also covers his health and family from a UK-based outlet.

Frequently asked questions

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