Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-wife, Shaunie Henderson, says she never loved him despite giving birth to his four children.
Henderson, 49, is best known as the creator of reality TV series franchise “Basketball Wives.”
O’Neal, 52, is considered one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history.
She made the revelation in her new book, “Undefeated: Changing the Rules and Winning on My Own Terms.”
Henderson said she never loved O’Neal, but she was in love with the idea of being married and raising a family.
Henderson also has a son from a previous relationship.
“Looking back, I don’t know that I was ever really in love with the man, but I was in love with the idea of being married to the man I had a family with,” Henderson wrote. “I was in love with the idea of building a life together. I truly did enjoy spending time with him. [NBA] road trips gave me a chance to be with my husband and experience the NBA life for a little while.”
Henderson explained that O’Neal tried to be the best husband and father to her and their children, but he was constantly distracted by other women.
“He was trying to be a world-famous, thirty-something multimillionaire with thousands of women throwing themselves at him, and people in general begging just to be in his presence, while being a husband and a father at the same time,” she wrote. “How could anyone possibly know how to do that?”
Henderson said O’Neal’s infidelity ruined their happy home.
O’Neal filed for divorce from Henderson in 2007. However, the divorce filing was withdrawn when Henderson said that they got back together.
But on November 10, 2009, Henderson filed an intent to divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
The divorce was finalized in 2011 and O’Neal blamed himself for their failed marriage.
“The best feeling was coming home and hearing five or six different voices,” he said during an appearance on the PIVOT podcast.
“I was just being greedy. I had the perfect situation. Wife was finer than a mug. I had it all. I don’t make excuses. I know I messed up. I was lost. In a 76,000 square foot house by myself. Lost… I said to myself, ‘you’re not married, but you still need to provide for this family. Get your ass up and man up. What are you going to do next?'”
He went on to date a plethora of young starlets including Moniece Slaughter, Rocsi Diaz, Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander, Laticia Rolle, and more.
