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Shaunie Henderson is reflecting on her nine-year marriage to Shaquille O’Neal and sharing a shocking sentiment.
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 opens up about her previous relationship with Neal.
“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,” she wrote.
Henderson explained that she was “in love with the idea” of her and O’Neal “building a life together.”
“I truly did enjoy spending time with him,” she added. ”
[NBA] road trips allowed me to be with my husband and experience the NBA life for a little while.”
However, amid experiencing the “NBA life,” Henderson admitted things were a little complicated for O’Neal.
“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 simultaneously,” she reportedly wrote. “How could anyone possibly know how to do that?”
Social media users shared mixed reactions to Henderson’s revelation in The Shade Room’s comment section.
While Instagram user @yvettecrocker_artist added, “That says more about her than him.”
While Instagram user @comedybyturae added, “Ion get this part. Had the relationship. Had the kids. Did the divorce thing. Moved on to a fruitful life. Kids good. Money good. Why spin the block… NOW.? 🤔”
Blueface’s mother, Karlissa Saffold Harvey, wrote, “Girl you left your first husband for an idea 💡 stop this. I’m glad Shaq enjoyed his life and didn’t take you seriously either. To come out and say this now with all them d**n kids us Ludacris.”
O’Neal has yet to react to his ex-wife’s comments at this time.
According to Essence, Henderson and O’Neal tied the knot in 2002. Henderson filed for divorce from O’Neal in 2007. However, the outlet reports that the pair briefly attempted to resolve their issues.
Despite their efforts, the pair’s divorce was finalized in 2011. By that time, Page Six reports that Henderson and O’Neal shared four sons, in addition to children O’Neal fathered from previous relationships.
Essence adds that O’Neal’s ex-wife would go on to tie the knot with Pastor Keion Henderson in May 2022. As The Shade Room previously reported, in November of that year, Shaunie Henderson revealed how O’Neal scored a “courtesy” invite to their wedding.
“My daughter had her sweet 16. She turned 16 in May right before the wedding so we were at the birthday party together and he’s like, ‘Well, am I invited to the wedding?’ And I was like, ‘Of course you are.’ And I’m rolling my eyes like, ‘I mean you are, but do you really have to come?'”
However, around the same time, Henderson also opened up about why she was “tired” of speaking about him.
