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Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant forces in NBA history, has not only made headlines for his basketball achievements but also for his complex and widely followed personal life. While he boasts four NBA championships and a Hall of Fame career, his relationships over the years have captured almost as much public attention. As of now, Shaq is reportedly dating actress Annie Ilonzeh, best known for her roles in television hits such as Charlie’s Angels, S.W.A.T., and Till Death Do Us Part. Their relationship follows his high-profile breakup with reality star Nicole Alexander, also known as “Hoopz,” in 2013.
Before Ilonzeh and Alexander, Shaquille O’Neal was married to Shaunie Henderson, with whom he shared a long and eventful relationship. Their journey began in 1997, just a year after Shaq welcomed his first daughter, Taahira, with his then-girlfriend Arnetta Yardborough. That same year, Shaunie gave birth to her son Myles from a previous relationship, who would become a part of their blended family. Shaq and Shaunie officially began building their own family with the birth of their son Shareef in 1998, followed by daughter Amirah in 2001. After the birth of two children and a few years of dating, the couple married in 2002 in a lavish ceremony that drew widespread media coverage.
Together, they went on to have two more children—Shaqir in 2003 and Me’arah in 2006—rounding out their family of six children. Despite appearing to have the perfect family life, internal issues began to emerge, leading to their eventual divorce in 2009. Shaq later opened up about the split in his 2011 memoir, candidly admitting that his infidelity played a significant role in the breakdown of the marriage. He reflected on the mistakes he made during their relationship, acknowledging that his lifestyle and constant temptations led him to make decisions that hurt their bond.
After his divorce, Shaq’s romantic life remained in the spotlight. His engagement to Nicole Alexander seemed promising but was short-lived, ending in 2013. Since then, his relationship with Annie Ilonzeh has been the subject of rumors and speculation, though the couple has kept much of their connection away from public scrutiny. Meanwhile, Shaunie Henderson has also moved forward with her life, remarrying in 2022 and continuing her work in television and business. Despite the ups and downs, Shaquille O’Neal remains closely connected to all of his children, often expressing pride in their academic, athletic, and personal accomplishments.