The Truth About Shaq's Marital Status: Is Shaquille O'Neal Currently Married In 2025?

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The question "Is Shaq married?" continues to be one of the most searched queries about the legendary NBA Hall of Famer, Shaquille O'Neal, and as of late 2025, the answer is a definitive no. Despite being one of the most recognizable and charismatic figures in sports and entertainment, the "Big Diesel" has only been married once, and he has remained officially single since his divorce over a decade ago. This article dives deep into the current status of the 7'1" superstar's love life, separating the facts from the constant stream of fresh rumors and speculation that follow him, including those that have surfaced in 2025. The constant curiosity surrounding Shaquille O'Neal’s personal life stems from his larger-than-life persona and his very public past relationships, making his current marital status a hot topic for fans and media alike. We will explore his one and only marriage, his notable dating history, and the recent women he has been linked to, providing the most up-to-date information on the NBA analyst's romantic journey.

Shaquille O'Neal: Biography and Profile Snapshot

Shaquille O'Neal, often simply referred to as "Shaq," is a global icon whose influence spans basketball, business, music, and television. His professional and personal life is a subject of endless fascination. Below is a comprehensive profile of the NBA legend:

  • Full Name: Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal
  • Nickname(s): Shaq, The Diesel, Superman, Shaq Fu, The Big Aristotle, The Big Shamrock, The Big Cactus, The Big Daddy
  • Date of Birth: March 6, 1972
  • Age (as of late 2025): 53
  • Place of Birth: Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
  • Height: 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
  • Weight (Approx.): 325 lbs (147 kg)
  • NBA Career: 1992–2011
  • Primary Teams: Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics
  • NBA Championships: 4 (3 with Lakers, 1 with Heat)
  • NBA Awards: 15-time All-Star, 3-time NBA Finals MVP, 1999–2000 NBA MVP, NBA Rookie of the Year (1993), 8-time All-NBA First Team
  • Hall of Fame: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2016)
  • Current Roles: Sports Analyst (Inside the NBA on TNT), Businessman, DJ (DJ Diesel)
  • Marital Status: Divorced (Not Currently Married)
  • Ex-Wife: Shaunie Henderson (formerly Shaunie O'Neal)
  • Children: 6 (Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, Me'arah, Myles, and Taahirah)

The Definitive Answer: Shaq’s Current Marital Status in 2025

Despite persistent rumors and public sightings with various partners, Shaquille O'Neal is not married in 2025. His official marital status remains divorced following the dissolution of his marriage to Shaunie Henderson (then Shaunie O'Neal) in 2011. Since his divorce, the former Lakers and Heat star has openly discussed his struggles with finding "the one" and maintaining a serious relationship, often attributing it to the challenges of his fame and busy schedule.

The confusion often arises from his very active dating life and the high-profile nature of the women he is seen with. While Shaq has been in several significant relationships and even engaged once post-divorce, he has not walked down the aisle again. He is currently focused on his career as an NBA analyst for TNT’s Inside the NBA, his DJ career as DJ Diesel, and, most importantly, co-parenting his six children.

Interestingly, Shaq has maintained a unique and respectful relationship with his ex-wife, Shaunie, even after her remarriage to Pastor Keion Henderson. He has publicly stated that he still protects, provides for, and shows love to her, a testament to their commitment to co-parenting their family.

Shaq’s Only Marriage: The Relationship with Shaunie Henderson

Shaquille O'Neal has been married only once in his life, to television personality and producer Shaunie O'Neal, now Shaunie Henderson. Their relationship timeline is a crucial part of understanding his marital history:

  • Marriage Date: December 26, 2002
  • Location: Beverly Hills, California
  • Children Together: The couple shares four biological children: Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me'arah. Shaq also has a daughter, Taahirah, from a previous relationship with Arnetta Yardbourgh, and Shaunie has a son, Myles, from a previous relationship. Shaq and Shaunie co-parented all six children.
  • Divorce: Shaq initially filed for divorce in 2007, but the couple reconciled. Shaunie filed for divorce in 2009, citing irreconcilable differences, and the divorce was finalized in 2011.

The marriage lasted nine years, and its aftermath has been a major focus of media attention, especially with Shaunie's involvement in the reality TV series Basketball Wives. Shaq has since admitted that he was at fault for the end of their marriage, expressing regret over his actions during their time together. This public acknowledgment of responsibility has further endeared him to fans and positioned him as a reflective and mature figure.

Post-Divorce Dating Life and Recent 2025 Rumors

Since his divorce from Shaunie, Shaquille O'Neal has been linked to several high-profile women, maintaining a very active social and romantic life. These relationships, though never leading to a second marriage, have kept the "Big Diesel" in the celebrity gossip cycle.

The Engagement That Wasn't: Nicole Alexander

Following his divorce, Shaq was in a serious relationship with reality star Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander. The couple were together from approximately 2010 to 2013, and their relationship was widely reported to have been an engagement, although it did not result in marriage. This relationship demonstrated Shaq's willingness to commit again, even after a high-profile divorce.

The Current Partner: Annie Ilonzeh

As of late 2025, the woman most consistently linked to Shaquille O'Neal is Nigerian-American actress Annie Ilonzeh. The pair have been publicly sighted together since early 2019, sparking continuous speculation about their long-term commitment. While neither Shaq nor Ilonzeh has officially confirmed the status of their relationship, their frequent appearances together suggest a serious, ongoing connection. Annie Ilonzeh is known for her roles in TV shows like Chicago Fire and Charlie's Angels.

The 2025 OnlyFans Model Rumor

The year 2025 brought its own share of dating drama for the NBA legend. Rumors began circulating after a photo surfaced showing Shaq alongside 21-year-old OnlyFans model Sophie Rain. However, the retired basketball star was quick to shut down the speculation, denying any romantic involvement with the model. This incident highlights the constant, often baseless, rumors that follow a celebrity of Shaq's magnitude.

Other Notable Relationships and Entities

Shaq's dating history also includes other public figures and models, further building his topical authority in the celebrity relationship space:

  • Arnetta Yardbourgh: The mother of his first child, daughter Taahirah O'Neal.
  • Laura Govan: Linked to Shaq from 2008 to 2009.
  • Dominica Westling: A model linked to him in 2007.
  • Laticia Rolle: An earlier rumored girlfriend, though their status was never fully confirmed.

Shaq’s Family: The Six Children He Co-Parents

Shaquille O'Neal is a proud father to six children, a role he takes very seriously. His dedication to his family is a consistent theme in his public commentary. The children are often seen supporting his career and pursuing their own paths, particularly in basketball. The six children who form the core of his family are:

  1. Taahirah O'Neal: Daughter from his relationship with Arnetta Yardbourgh.
  2. Myles O'Neal: Shaunie's son from a previous relationship, whom Shaq considers his own.
  3. Shareef O'Neal: Son with Shaunie, a professional basketball player.
  4. Amirah O'Neal: Daughter with Shaunie, a talented basketball player.
  5. Shaqir O'Neal: Son with Shaunie, also pursuing a basketball career.
  6. Me'arah O'Neal: Daughter with Shaunie, the youngest of the four biological children with Shaunie.

Shaq's focus on being a good father and co-parenting with Shaunie, even after her second marriage, is a major part of his current life narrative, often overshadowing any rumors about a new marriage. His priority is clearly on his children's success and well-being, a commitment he frequently discusses on Inside the NBA and in interviews.

shaq is married
shaq is married

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