Shaunie Henderson reflects on her nine-year marriage Shaquille O'Neal and share a shocking feeling.
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Shaunie Henderson opens up about her previous marriage to Shaquille O'Neal
According to Essence, Henderson released her latest novel, Undefeated: Changing the Rules and Winning On My Own Terms, on Tuesday, May 7. In the book, Henderson reportedly talks about her past relationship with Neal.
“Looking back, I don't know if I was ever truly in love with the man, but I was in love with the idea of being married to the man I had a family with,” she wrote.
Henderson explained that she was “in love with the idea” of her and O'Neal “building a life together.”
“I really enjoyed spending time with him,” she added. ”
[NBA] Road trips allowed me to be with my husband and experience NBA life for a while.”
However, considering “NBA life,” Henderson admitted that things were a little complicated for O'Neal.
“He was trying to be a world-famous multi-millionaire in his thirties while thousands of women threw themselves at him and people in general begged to be in his presence while he was also a husband and father,” she allegedly wrote. “How could anyone know how to do that?”
Social media reactions
Social media users expressed mixed reactions to Henderson's revelation in the comments section of The Shade Room.
Instagram user @bfg_funny wrote: “So just a bunch of kids with a man you don’t love…that’s crazy.”
While Instagram user @1chefnina added: “So maybe she's saying this because she's finally experiencing how to be truly loved!! 🤷🏽♀️”
Instagram user @connie.monster wrote: “She says that now that she is remarried, she has found a different version of herself and a different perspective on love. What she thought was love for Shaq is not the same as what she is experiencing now…”
While Instagram user @yvettecrocker_artist added, “That says more about her than it does about him.”
Instagram user @yourstruly_rozzaay wrote: “The lack of understanding is astounding… She wonders if what she had was what one would interpret as “in love.” She never said she didn't love the man…”
While Instagram user @s.estrada21 added, “Sounds like she liked the idea of being an NBA player’s wife, the lifestyle and the money.”
Instagram user @riasu.rn wrote: “…but you had 5-6 children with him?!?!”
While Instagram user @tasiamone_ added, “Loving someone and being IN LOVE with someone are two different things.”
Instagram user @amiar_mon_amour wrote: “I don't understand all the malice towards her? …If you are not married, you should not judge…”
While Instagram user @comedybyturae added, “I get this part. Had the relationship. Had the children. I did the divorce thing. Onward to a fruitful life. Children good. Money good. Why turn the block…NOW? 🤔”
Blueface's mother, Karlissa Saffold Harvey, wrote: “Girl, you left your first husband because of an idea 💡 stop it. I'm glad Shaq enjoyed his life and didn't take you seriously either. To come out and say this now with all these damn kids, we Ludacris.”
O'Neal has not responded to his ex-wife's comments at this time.
The businesswoman previously seemed tight-lipped about talking about Shaquille O'Neal
According to Essence, Henderson and O'Neal tied the knot in 2002. Henderson filed for divorce from O'Neal in 2007. However, the source reports that the couple briefly tried to resolve their issues.
Despite their efforts, the couple's divorce was finalized in 2011. At the time, Page Six reported that Henderson and O'Neal had four sons together, in addition to the children O'Neal had fathered from previous relationships.
Essence adds that O'Neal's ex-wife would tie the knot with Pastor Keion Henderson in May 2022. As The Shade Room previously reported, Shaunie Henderson revealed in November of that year how O'Neal received a “courtesy” invitation to her wedding.
“My daughter turned 16 years old. She turned 16 in May just before the wedding, so we were at the birthday party together and he asks, 'So, am I invited to the wedding?' And I thought, 'Of course you are.' And I roll my eyes and I'm like, 'I mean, you are, but do you really have to come?'”
However, around the same time, Henderson also spoke about why she was “tired” of talking about him.
