Shaquille O'Neal is arguably one of the biggest figures in sports and entertainment today. Not enough can be said about the man's years dominating on the court, but his life off the court is lesser known.
We do know that Shaq is a father of six. Taahirah O'Neal is his eldest child, shared with ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh. He also shares sons Shareef and Shaqir and daughters Amirah and Me'arah with ex-wife Shaunie O'Neal, whose son from a previous relationship, Myles O'Neal, he also has a close relationship with.
More from LittleThings: Tori Spelling Says She Doesn't Sleep Alone — Or Poop Alone — Even After Her Divorce
Shaq's been known to have some strong opinions and philosophies when it comes to money. They stem from his past and have bled into his parenting, as he shared during a 2022 appearance on The Pivot Podcast.
Shaq was surprisingly candid on the podcast, where he spoke about personal and professional regrets. In his personal life, he spoke about the breakdown in his relationship with Shaunie and their divorce.
"I was bad. She was awesome. It was all me," he said of the problems that led to the end of their marriage.
"We don't need to talk about what I was doing, but I wasn't protecting her and protecting those vows," Shaq continued.
"Sometimes you live that double life and get caught up. I'm not going to say it was her. It was all me. She did exactly what she was supposed to do. Take care of the kids. Take care of the house. Take care of corporate stuff. It was just all me."
Shaq says he was consumed with greed at that time in his life.
"I had the perfect situation," he said.
"Wife was finer than a mug. Kept giving me babies. Still finer than a mug. I had it all. I don't make excuses. I know I messed up. When I didn't have that — I don't like to use the D-word because I don't really know what it is — I was lost. 76,000-square-foot house by yourself. Lost. No kids. Go to the gym, nobody's playing. You go to their room, nobody's there. You start to feel it."
Shaq said that he learned from the situation that he wanted to be the kind of man who not only took care of himself and his kids but their mothers as well.
"I may not be a husband, but I'll always be a father … I have two — I don't like to use the term 'baby mamas' — I have two wonderful women that have given me beautiful, gorgeous children," he shared.
"I have to protect and I have to provide and I have to love for them forever. That's why I have to work so hard. I don't work for me. I got it all. I got to work for them. I got to work for my six babies."
That said, Shaq's babies aren't so little anymore. His kids are now between the ages of 17 and 26, and Shaq wants them to grow into responsible adults.
"My kids are older now and they're kind of upset with me," he said in 2021 on the Earn Your Leisure podcast.
"Well, not really upset, but they don't understand. 'Cause I tell them all the time, 'We ain't rich; I'm rich.'"
Shaq went on to explain that he had certain expectations of his kids. He wanted them to get an education, ideally a bachelor's or master's degree. If they ever have a business or project they want him to invest in, he wants them to present it to him as anyone else would.
Back on The Pivot Podcast, Shaq was asked if he had favorites when it comes to his kids.
"I like my girls a little bit better," he admitted.
"As a man you have to protect, provide and love for your women. I trust them more because they're more sensitive, they're more caring. They're thinkers."
"I tell my boys, 'When y'all get 18 y'all got to go.' Girls can stay as long as they want," Shaq said, then confirming that he was serious.
"Take your time, go to college, get your master's, get your doctorate. I'll pay for it."
Shaq also hopes to influence his daughters when it comes to the men they choose to date.
"I'm trying to teach them about all the types of men. What to avoid," he said.
"I tell them all the time, 'Don't mess with somebody that everybody want. He got too many options. Get somebody that you like, that you respect, that you can control. Don't mess with nobody like your daddy. Your daddy used to be an animal.'"
There were some mixed reactions to Shaq's comments. Some people felt like they understood where he was coming from. Others, however, felt that any kind of favoritism among kids would come back to bite the star. So far, it seems to be working for Shaq's family.
