Editing Shaquille O'Neal (section)

==Personal life==
[[File:Shaq @NBA All star game.jpg|thumb|O'Neal at the [[2009 NBA All-Star Game]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]]]

=== Religion ===
O'Neal was raised by a [[Baptist]] mother and a [[Muslim]] stepfather and said that they taught him both religions.<ref name="BH2018">{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Mark |date=November 18, 2018 |title=Turkish rookie Semih Erden thankful for Shaq |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2010/11/19/turkish-rookie-semih-erden-thankful-for-shaq/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805173358/https://www.bostonherald.com/2010/11/19/turkish-rookie-semih-erden-thankful-for-shaq/ |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Boston Herald}}</ref><ref name="SI2022">{{cite magazine |title=The Shaq Factor |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/06/17/the-shaq-factor-how-have-shaquille-oneal-and-his-size-22s-led-the-lakers-march-to-a-third-straight-title-let-us-count-the-ways |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930161309/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/06/17/the-shaq-factor-how-have-shaquille-oneal-and-his-size-22s-led-the-lakers-march-to-a-third-straight-title-let-us-count-the-ways |archive-date=September 30, 2022 |date=June 17, 2002 |url-status=live}}</ref> Both [[Robin Wright (author)|Robin Wright]] in her book ''Rock the Casbah'' as well as the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' have identified O'Neal as a Muslim.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Robin |title=Rock the Casbah |date=August 1, 2011 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/books/excerpt-rock-the-casbah-by-robin-wright.html?pagew..=&_r=1&pagewanted=all |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411142521/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/books/excerpt-rock-the-casbah-by-robin-wright.html?pagew..=&_r=2&pagewanted=all& |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Tim |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jan-11-sp-shaq11-story.html |title=O'Neal Issues Apology |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=January 11, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107022722/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/jan/11/sports/sp-shaq11 |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Tim |last2=Plaschke |first2=Bill |title=Shaq and Hedo Share a Moment |date=May 29, 2002 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-29-sp-lakerep29-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302032859/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/may/29/sports/sp-lakerep29 |archive-date=March 2, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, O'Neal has said, "I'm Muslim, I'm Jewish, I'm Buddhist, I'm everybody 'cause I'm a people person."<ref>{{cite web|author=Alison Kugel|url=http://www.pr.com/article/1191|title=Shaquille O'Neal Talks Kobe Bryant, Pat Riley & NBA Politics: 'I Did It My Way'|publisher=PR.com|date=November 11, 2011|access-date=February 22, 2013}}</ref>

===Marriage and children===
O'Neal married [[Shaunie O'Neal|Shaunie Nelson]] on December 26, 2002. The couple have four children, including [[Shareef O'Neal|Shareef]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Tim Brown|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-20-sp-lakerep20-story.html|title=Shaq, Wife Have a Baby Boy|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 20, 2003|access-date=October 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs2006/news/story?id=2429195|title=Daughter is sixth child for Shaq, wife|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=May 1, 2006|access-date=October 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2006/05/01/Shaq-and-wife-welcome-new-daughter/93091146521100/|title=Shaq and wife welcome new daughter|publisher=United Press International|date=May 1, 2006|access-date=October 24, 2021}}</ref> Nelson also has a son from a previous relationship who O'Neal adopted. O'Neal also has a daughter from a previous relationship.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sam Smith |date=December 16, 1996 |title=HO, HO, SHAQ'S ON WAY |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-12-16-9612160155-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2021 |publisher=Chicago Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 30, 2005 |title=TRIVIA Q&A |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/03/01/trivia-q-a/ |access-date=October 23, 2021 |publisher=[[Tampa Bay Times]]}}</ref><ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p. 209.</ref>

On September 4, 2007, O'Neal filed for divorce from Nelson in a Miami-Dade Circuit court. Nelson later said that the couple was back together and that the divorce petition had been withdrawn. However, on November 10, 2009, Nelson filed an intent to divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maria |date=2022-12-23 |title=Who is Shaquille O'neal's Ex-Wife & Dating in 2022? |url=https://sportsvirsa.com/shaq-oneal-wife/ |access-date=2022-12-28 |language=en-US}}</ref> The divorce was finalized in 2011. O'Neal blames himself for the failed marriage and says he made mistakes and was "greedy".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-20 |title=Why Shaquille O'Neal Blames Himself for Divorce From Ex-Wife Shaunie |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1327985/why-shaquille-oneal-blames-himself-for-divorce-from-ex-wife-shaunie |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=E! Online}}</ref>

In 2015, Shareef was seen in high school basketball highlights as a {{convert|6|ft|7|in|adj=on}} freshman power forward, and had been described as having a "polar opposite playing style to his father" due to his more athletic build and better shooting range.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2462728-shaquille-oneals-son-shareef-oneal-does-not-play-like-his-dad|title=Shaquille O'Neal's Son Shareef O'Neal Does Not Play Like His Dad|first=Tyler|last=Brooke|website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Watch: Shaq's son dominates as a high school freshman|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/05/13/shaquille-oneal-son-shareef-high-school|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=May 13, 2015}}</ref> Shareef played in college for the [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA Bruins]] before transferring to LSU.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Lundberg |first1=Robin |title=Shareef O'Neal Transferring to LSU, Talks Final Text From Kobe |url=https://www.si.com/college/2020/02/15/shareef-oneal-transfer-lsu-talks-kobe-text |access-date=February 15, 2020 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=January 22, 2021}}</ref>

In November 2023, O'Neal's daughter, Me'Arah, signed her national letter of intent to the [[Florida Gators women's basketball|Florida Gators]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Gibson|first=Charlotte|url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/38881118/mearah-oneal-shaq-youngest-child-play-gators|title=Me'Arah O'Neal, Shaq's youngest child, to play for Gators|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=November 12, 2023|accessdate=January 12, 2025}}</ref> The 2024–25 season marked her freshman year at Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/me-arah-o-neal/16879|title=Me'Arah O'Neal|publisher=[[Florida Gators]]|accessdate=January 12, 2025}}</ref>

===Post-marriage relationships===

In summer 2010, O'Neal began dating reality TV star [[Nicole Alexander|Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander]].<ref name=Globe>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2011/02/03/hoopz_is_right_at_home_with_shaq/?page=full |title=Hoopz is right at home with Shaq |author=Goldstein, Meredith |date=February 3, 2011 |work=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=August 9, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Shaquille-O-8217-Neal-8217-s-girlfriend-school?urn=nba-wp3654 |title=Shaquille O'Neal's girlfriend schools him on sleep apnea |author=Dwyer, Kelly |date=May 21, 2011 |work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|access-date=August 9, 2011}}</ref> The couple resided at O'Neal's home in [[Sudbury, Massachusetts]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Meredith |date=2011-02-03 |title=Keeping up with Shaq |url=http://archive.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2011/02/03/hoopz_is_right_at_home_with_shaq/?page=full |access-date=2021-07-15 |website=Boston.com}}</ref> and later split in August 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2012/08/shaq-and-hoopz-breakup |title=Shaquille O'Neal and Nicole "Hoopz" Break Up Following Outburst|work=Vibe|first=Sharifa|last=Daniels|date=August 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Shanahan|first1=Mark|last2=Goldstein|first2=Meredith|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2012/08/24/former-sudbury-couple-hoopz-and-shaq-call-quits/iITCZf8aGwsS0YiftRl97I/story.html|title=Former Sudbury couple 'Hoopz' and Shaq call it quits|publisher=The Boston Globe|date=August 25, 2012|access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref>

O'Neal began dating Laticia Rolle, a model, originally from [[Gardner, Massachusetts]], in early 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegram.com/sports/20170715/shaq-keeps-her-on-go-but-still-no-place-like-home-for-laticia-rolle|title=Shaq keeps her on go, but still no place like home for Laticia Rolle|first=Jennifer|last=Toland|date=July 15, 2017}}</ref> They later split in March 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theybf.com/2018/07/01/exclusive-have-shaq-girlfriend-laticia-rolle-called-it-quits|title=EXCLUSIVE: Have Shaq & Girlfriend Laticia Rolle Called It QUITS?!|publisher=TheYBF|date=July 1, 2018|access-date=October 24, 2021|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024083716/https://theybf.com/2018/07/01/exclusive-have-shaq-girlfriend-laticia-rolle-called-it-quits|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Outside of family===
[[File:Shaquille O'Neal in 2011.jpg|thumb|O'Neal in May 2011]]
O'Neal was initiated into the Theta Kappa chapter of [[Omega Psi Phi|Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.]] at LSU.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Donald |date=2014-07-12 |title=Shaq talks Omega Psi Phi membership |url=https://www.phillytrib.com/sports/baseball/shaq-talks-omega-psi-phi-membership/article_7a4f4ba0-acac-52cd-836e-068a6783aea1.html |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=The Philadelphia Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Omega Psi Phi Scorecard |url=https://www.lsu.edu/greeks/scorecard/omega-psi-phi.php#:~:text=The%20Theta%20Kappa%20chapter%20of,150%20sons%20of%20Theta%20Kappa. |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=www.lsu.edu}}</ref> In June 2005, when Hall of Fame center [[George Mikan]] died, O'Neal, who considered Mikan to be a major influence, extended an offer to his family to pay all of the funeral expenses, which they accepted.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-06-03 |title=Shaq covers Mikan's funeral expenses |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs2005/news/story?id=2075294 |access-date=2021-07-12 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> O'Neal's stepfather, Philip Arthur Harrison, died of a heart attack on September 10, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|author=John S.|url=https://www.vladtv.com/article/231781/shaq-mourns-the-loss-of-his-stepfather-i-wouldnt-be-here-without-you|title=Shaq Mourns the Loss of His Stepfather: I Wouldn't Be Here Without You|publisher=[[VladTV]]|date=August 15, 2017|access-date=March 10, 2022}}</ref>

O'Neal is a 2009 inductee of the [[New Jersey Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102897307/stars-headline-in-the-second-class-of/ |title=Stars headline in the second class of N.J. Hall of Fame |first=Angela |last=Delli Santi |work=[[Daily Record (Morris County, New Jersey)|Daily Record]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |page=A6 |date=February 3, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> O'Neal became a [[Freemason]] in 2011, becoming a member of Widow's Son Lodge No. 28 in Boston.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Hodapp |url=http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2011/06/brother-shaquille-oneal.html |title=Freemasons For Dummies: Brother Shaquille O'Neal |publisher=Freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com |date=June 12, 2011 |access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> O'Neal is a [[Prince Hall Freemasonry|Prince Hall]] [[Freemason]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYL11q4hb3Y | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401074412/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYL11q4hb3Y&list=PL9AC00B23FAA93EB0| archive-date=2014-04-01 |title=Shaquille O'Neal: Freemason |publisher=YouTube |date=February 27, 2011 |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://beginningandend.com/shaquille-oneal-show-masonic-ring-nbatv/ |title=Shaquille O'Neal Show off His Freemason Ring on NBATV |publisher=Beginning And End |date=January 14, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atoast2wealth.com/2012/01/13/shaquille-oneal-proudly-shows-off-illuminati-ring-and-being-a-freemason-video/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120011748/http://www.atoast2wealth.com/2012/01/13/shaquille-oneal-proudly-shows-off-illuminati-ring-and-being-a-freemason-video/ |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |title=Shaquille O'Neal Proudly Shows Off Illuminati Ring and Being a Freemason [VIDEO] {{pipe}} AT2W |website=Atoast2wealth.com |date=January 14, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2016 }}</ref> On January 31, 2012, O'Neal was honored as one of the [[McDonald's All-American Game#Greatest Boys McDonald's All-Americans|35 Greatest McDonald's All-American]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/wilkins-honored-one-35-greatest-mcdonalds-all-americans |title=Wilkins Honored as One of 35 Greatest McDonald's All Americans |publisher=NBA|date=January 31, 2012 |access-date=February 9, 2012}}</ref>

O'Neal is a fan of the [[National Hockey League]]'s [[New Jersey Devils]], who play in his hometown of Newark, and has been seen at several games over the years.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wyshynski |first=Greg |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Shaquille-O-Neal-New-Jersey-Devils-fan?urn=nhl,119458 |title=Video: Shaquille O'Neal, New Jersey Devils fan – Puck Daddy – NHL Blog – Yahoo! Sports |website=Sports.yahoo.com |date=November 3, 2008 |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref> On January 11, 2014, O'Neal performed the [[ceremonial puck drop|ceremonial first puck]] and drove a [[ice resurfacer|Zamboni]] for a game between the Devils and the [[Florida Panthers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXC5QKLHVUo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/SXC5QKLHVUo| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Shaq drives the Zamboni in Newark |publisher=YouTube |date=January 11, 2014 |access-date=February 23, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> O'Neal is also a fan of English [[association football|football]] club [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]], and has posted videos of support to their official [[YouTube]] page.<ref name="k593">{{cite web | last=Wright | first=Chris | title=Shaq celebrates Northampton promotion | website=ESPN.com | date=2016-05-05 | url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37447069/nba-legend-shaquille-oneal-celebrates-northampton-promotion | access-date=2024-10-16}}</ref> O'Neal is a fan of [[National Football League]]'s [[Dallas Cowboys]]. According to him, football was actually his first sport and he wants to be like his idol, [[Ed "Too Tall" Jones]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chakraborty |first=Sagarneel  |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Is Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal a Dallas Cowboys fan? |url=https://www.mediareferee.com/nba-is-shaq-shaquille-oneal-a-dallas-cowboys-fan/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Media Referee}}</ref>

In 2016, O'Neal purchased a 14.3-acre, two-house compound in [[McDonough, Georgia]] for $1.15 million. It is around 30 miles southeast of [[Atlanta]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Neal J. Leitereg|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-shaq-house-atlanta-20160520-snap-story.html|title=Shaquille O'Neal scores a two-house compound outside of Atlanta|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 20, 2016|access-date=April 22, 2022}}</ref>

O'Neal endorsed [[Republican Party of the United States|Republican]] [[New Jersey]] governor [[Chris Christie]] in his 2013 [[2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election|reelection bid]], appearing in a television advertisement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/shaq-backs-chris-christie-i-believe-him-102004 |title=Shaq backs Christie: 'I believe him' |website=[[Politico]] |first=Lucy|last=McCalmont|date=January 10, 2014 |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref> He participated in a virtual rally for then-presidential candidate [[Joe Biden]] and voted for the first time during the [[2020 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Medina |first=Mark |date=October 27, 2020 |title=Shaquille O'Neal explains why he had resisted voting before this year's election |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2020/10/27/shaquille-oneal-why-he-didnt-vote-before-2020-election/6037008002/ |access-date=28 July 2021 |website=USA Today}}</ref>

O'Neal turned down a $40 million deal with Reebok after hearing a mother complain about how expensive his shoes were.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/shaq-says-upset-mom-who-slapped-money-out-his-hand-made-him-ultimately-turn-down-40m-shoe-deal/ |title=Shaq Says Upset Mom Who Slapped Money Out Of His Hand, Made Him Ultimately Turn Down $40M Shoe Deal|first=Ashantai |last=Hathaway|date=August 30, 2021 |website=[[Black Enterprise]]|access-date=October 24, 2022 }}</ref> In July 2023, O'Neal purchased his first private jet; a $27 million [[Bombardier Challenger 600 series|Bombardier Challenger 650]], complete with the iconic "Dunkman" logo on the tail.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaquille O'Neal Buys Insane $27,000,000 Private Jet With 'Dunkman Logo' Taking Inspiration From Michael Jordan's $61M Purchase |last=Singh |first=Raahib |work=The SportsRush |date=28 June 2023 |access-date=19 March 2025 |url= https://thesportsrush.com/nba-news-shaquille-oneal-buys-insane-27000000-private-jet-with-dunkman-logo-taking-inspiration-from-michael-jordans-61m-purchase/}}</ref>

O'Neal mentored [[Chicago Sky]] player and former [[LSU Tigers women's basketball]] player [[Angel Reese]]; Reese has identified O'Neal as a father figure.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schnell |first1=Lindsay |title=Mentorship between LSU star Angel Reese and LSU legend Shaq one of 'incredible trust' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaw/sec/2024/01/25/angel-reese-shaquille-oneal-lsu-womens-basketball/72338323007/ |website=[[USA Today]] |access-date=January 27, 2024 |date=January 25, 2024}}</ref> Reese is a subject of ''[[The Money Game: LSU]]'' on [[Amazon Prime Video|Prime Video]] produced by O'Neal's Jersey Legends Productions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Prime Video Slates LSU-Set Docuseries 'The Money Game' About NIL Impact On College Sports; Shaquille O'Neal's Jersey Legends, Campfire Studios & Axios Media Producing|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/prime-video-lsu-docuseries-the-money-game-nil-college-sports-shaquille-oneal-1235804111/|last=Hayes|first=Dade|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 25, 2024|access-date=January 25, 2024}}</ref>