“Basketball Wives” star and creator Shaunie Henderson, formerly Shaunie O’Neal, is opening up about her true feelings about being married to ex-husband Shaquille O’Neal.
The reality television star unveiled her memoir, “Undefeated: Changing the Rules and Winning On My Own Terms,” on Tuesday, May 7th, and there were several juicy revelations. However, the most damning was that she was never in love with O’Neal, whom she was married to for seven years.
“Looking back, I don’t know that I was ever really in love with the man, but I was in love with the idea of being married to the man I had a family with,” Henderson wrote. “I was in love with the idea of building a life together. I truly did enjoy spending time with him. [NBA] road trips allowed me to be with my husband and experience the NBA life for a little while.”
This shocking acknowledgment is just the latest since the couple’s divorce was finalized in March 2010. The 19-year NBA pro previously attributed their split to his infidelity and has admitted that he took advantage of his marriage to Shaunie, who he dubbed to be the perfect wife.
In response to her book excerpt surfacing, Shaq took to his Instagram to express understanding for his ex-wife.
“I understand…I wouldn’t have been in love with me either. Wishing you all the best…All love,” he wrote.
It’s unknown who the former basketball player is dating, but Shaunie has been married to Pastor Keion Henderson since 2022. Though it’s been years since the O’Neals split, their relationship was once “couple goals,” beginning in 1996.
December 26th, 2002: Shaquille and Shaunie get married in a secret ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
May 1st, 2006: They welcome their fourth child, Me’arah Sanaa O’Neal
They’d previously welcomed children Shareef, Sanaa, Shaqir. Shaunie also had son, Myles, from a previous relationship. Shaq had eldest daughter, Taahirah, before he began dating Shaunie.
September 5th, 2007: Shaquille first filed for divorce from Shaunie
The pair were first headed toward divorce in September 2007, though the next month, they reconciled and sought to dismiss the divorce. On August 15th, 2008, they officially called off the split.
November 10th, 2009: Shaunie files for separation from Shaquille
Shaunie decided to end things for good on November 10th, 2009. On March 11th, 2010, their divorce was finalized.
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