Most people recognize Shaunie O'Neal from VH1's Basketball Wives. She rose to prominence after marrying NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal. Audiences have watched her transition from being O'Neal's ex-wife to a business mogul. She has done exceptionally well for herself, financially. Although she's amassed a $35 million net worth, it pales in comparison to her ex's estimated $400M fortune. The Basketball Wives creator is not only an entrepreneur but is an actor and philanthropist too.
Shaunie's connection to Shaquille has without a doubt played a pivotal role in her success, however, she didn't ride on his coattails. She used her celebrity to build an empire for herself.
Aside from being a main cast member on Basketball Wives, she also serves as executive producer on the show and franchise. Shaunie has found success professionally, and romantically; the star married pastor Keion Henderson in 2022.
Shaunie's Life Changed After Marrying Shaquille
When Shaunie and Shaquille O'Neal met, she was a film marketer, he was the first athlete she'd ever dated. The famous exes wed in a secret ceremony in 2002 and went their separate ways in 2009.
Their marriage was characterized by rumors of infidelity, and parts of their life were chronicled on VH1's Basketball Wives.O'Neal now blames himself for his divorce from Shaunie.
Following her split from O'Neal, Shaunie revealed to PEOPLE, "I had a fear of being by myself and being responsible for so much on my own… It’s a good feeling to know that I’m able to give my kids more and be a better person to be around." She added, "Once you let things go, they don’t make you mad anymore."
She further stated, "You go, ‘Am I happy in a multimillion-dollar home, driving all the cars, and at the end of the day not having some peace within'?"
Living in the public eye is no easy feat, strangers watched her life fall apart publicly, but she picked up the pieces and played the cards she'd been dealt.
Shaunie Is An Entrepreneur On Her Own Today
Aside from attaining reality TV stardom, Shaunie also pursued several business ventures. She launched a shoe line and had a cannabis business, it's unclear whether both businesses are still operating though. Shaunie and Pastor Keion recently partnered with Looptify to Launch Kesh. Kesh is an athleisure line that consists of tees, joggers, and hoodies.
While the franchise is known for the drama, fights, and conflicts, it has also chronicled the cast's various business ventures. Despite that, some viewers have called out the shows and Shaunie for "portraying Black women in a negative light."
According to Shaunie, she's fought hard to include the women's entrepreneurial endeavors. In her defense, audiences have learned about the cast's businesses over the years through the show.
She told Black Enterprise, "You don’t understand how much I fight for the business part. Because I think it comes across as nobody really wants to see that. ‘That’s boring, or make it tie into the drama.’ No, no, that’s somebody’s business. Like, we don’t want the drama. If that’s what has to get your eyes on your business, something’s wrong."
Shaunie Is Now Married To Pastor Keion Henderson
Shaunie has seemingly found her happy ever after, the reality star married pastor Keion Henderson in a romantic outdoor ceremony in Anguilla. The pair dated for two years prior to their engagement. They're seemingly madly in love, fans are glad to see the star loved and happy. Her famous ex even spoke highly of Pastor Henderson and wished the lovebirds well.
Shaunie and Shaq's relationship has come a long way, the duo have co-parented amicably and are on good terms. During an appearance on the Pivot Podcast, Shaquille dished on his divorce from Shaunie. He Revealed, "I've never talked about this, and I'm glad you guys asked because I don't mind talking about this, but I was bad. She was awesome. She really was. It was all me."
He added, "She did exactly what she was supposed to do and gave me beautiful kids, take care of the house, take care of the corporate stuff. It was just all me. Sometimes, when you make a lot of mistakes like that, you can't really come back from that. She was awesome, she really was. It was all me."
He explained, "She's happy now. She's about to marry a fine, young gentleman, and I'm happy for her."
Although he didn't admit to any infidelity, this confirms some of the rumors that surrounded their marriage. Shaunie is seemingly in a good place romantically, financially, and career-wise now. Fans couldn't be happier for the star.
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