5 Shocking Revelations About Shaq's Only Wife And His Viral 2025 Dating Life

Despite his legendary status and constant presence in the media, the question of "Who is Shaq's wife?" remains a top search query for fans around the world. As of December 14, 2025, Shaquille O'Neal is not currently married, but the woman who holds the title of his only wife, Shaunie Henderson (formerly O'Neal), continues to make headlines, especially following the release of her revealing 2025 memoir.

The narrative surrounding the NBA icon's romantic life is a complex web, starting with his high-profile marriage to Shaunie, and extending to a series of high-profile relationships and sensational, viral rumors that have dominated social media in late 2025. From his ex-wife's tell-all book to the recent, explosive claim about his "live-in girlfriends," this is the definitive, updated look at the women who have been, or are rumored to be, in Shaquille O'Neal's life.

The Definitive Biography of Shaq's Only Wife: Shaunie Henderson (née Nelson)

Shaquille O’Neal has been publicly married only once, to the woman now known as Shaunie Henderson. Their relationship timeline and the subsequent success of his ex-wife are a critical part of the "Shaq wife" story.

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Full Profile:

• Full Name: Va'Shaundya Karlette Henderson (née Nelson)
• Born: November 27, 1974
• Age (as of late 2025): 51 years old
• Career: Entrepreneur, Television Producer, Philanthropist, Author, CEO of Amirah, Inc.
• First Marriage: Shaquille O'Neal (2002–2009)
• Second Marriage: Pastor Keion Henderson (2022–Present)
• Children: She co-parents six children: four with Shaquille (Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, Me'arah), one from a previous relationship (Myles), and one from Shaq's previous relationship (Taahirah).

Shaunie’s career trajectory is arguably as successful as her ex-husband’s post-NBA career. She is the founder and CEO of Amirah, Inc., the production company responsible for creating the long-running, highly successful VH1 reality series, Basketball Wives.

The Marriage, Divorce, and Co-Parenting with Shaquille O'Neal

Shaunie and Shaquille O'Neal met in Los Angeles and married in a private ceremony in 2002. Their marriage was one of the NBA's most high-profile unions, but it was also riddled with challenges, leading to a tumultuous divorce process that began in 2007 and was finalized in 2009.

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Despite the end of their marital relationship, the two have maintained a remarkably respectful and successful co-parenting partnership for their six children. Shaq has frequently praised Shaunie publicly, admitting in interviews that he was not the best husband during their marriage. This mature post-divorce relationship is a testament to their dedication to their family.

The most recent and significant update on their shared history came in May 2025 with the release of Shaunie's memoir, UNDEFEATED: Changing the Rules and Winning on My Own Terms.

Key Revelations from Shaunie's Memoir (2025):

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• The Regret: Shaunie stated in the book that, looking back, she doesn't know if she was ever truly "in love" with the man she married, a quote that garnered significant media attention upon release.
• The Journey: The book details the personal struggles, heartbreaks, and triumphs of her life, including her time as an NBA wife, her role as a producer, and her journey to finding happiness again.
• The Misinterpretation: Shaunie later addressed the intense reaction to the "not in love" quote, clarifying that she was referring to the person she became during the marriage, not her initial feelings for Shaquille O'Neal.

The memoir’s release in 2025 has provided the freshest, most in-depth perspective on the dynamics of the O'Neal marriage, re-establishing Shaunie as the central figure in the "Shaq wife" narrative, even years after their divorce.

Shaunie's New Life: Marriage to Pastor Keion Henderson

A major focus of the current "Shaq wife" discussion is Shaunie's successful new chapter. In 2022, she married Pastor Keion Henderson, the Senior Pastor of The Lighthouse Church in Houston.

This new union marks a profound shift for the former reality television star, moving her into the world of ministry and church leadership. The couple's relationship has been a hot topic, showcasing Shaunie's resilience and determination to find happiness after her high-profile divorce.

In a move that many fans viewed as symbolic of her new life, Shaunie recently covered up a family-themed tattoo that featured her children's names, a decision she made as she continues to evolve personally and professionally.

Who is Shaq Dating Now? Breaking Down the 2025 Viral Rumors

Since his divorce from Shaunie and the end of his engagement to reality star Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander in 2013, Shaquille O'Neal has been linked to several women. However, his current relationship status remains officially single, though he is actively dating.

The Long-Term Rumored Girlfriend: Annie Ilonzeh

The woman most consistently linked to Shaq in recent years is Nigerian-American actress Annie Ilonzeh. Their relationship rumors began circulating as far back as 2019, with public sightings of the couple suggesting a serious, though unconfirmed, connection.

Ilonzeh, known for roles in shows like *Chicago Fire* and *General Hospital*, is approximately 11 years younger than the NBA legend. While neither has officially confirmed the relationship, Shaq referred to her as his "rumored girlfriend" in a January 2023 interview, suggesting an ongoing, low-key partnership.

The Sensational 2025 Viral Claims

The latter half of 2025 saw a flurry of sensational, unconfirmed rumors about Shaq's dating life, fueling the public's curiosity:

1. The Maria Ozuna Teachey Denial: In a viral incident, social media influencer Maria Ozuna Teachey posted a picture with a man she was embracing, which many fans immediately assumed was Shaquille O'Neal. The rumor quickly became a major talking point until Shaq publicly and definitively denied that he was the man in the photo, shutting down the dating gossip.

2. The "Four Live-In Girlfriends" Claim: The most explosive and clickbait-worthy rumor of 2025 came from comedian and radio host Jess Hilarious, who claimed on air that Shaquille O'Neal had "four white girlfriends" living in his Atlanta estate. The claim, which quickly went viral, forced Shaq to address the situation publicly.

Shaq's explanation clarified that the four women were not his girlfriends but were, in fact, the wives of his security team and staff who reside on his property for their employment. This explanation, though logical, did little to quell the initial sensationalism of the "four live-in girlfriends" headline.

Ultimately, while Shaquille O'Neal is not currently married, his former wife, Shaunie Henderson, remains a powerful figure in pop culture with her new book and marriage, while Shaq's own dating life continues to generate viral, albeit often false, headlines in late 2025.