Shaq Relationship History: A Look Back at His Romantic Partners

Shaquille O’Neal, famously known as Shaq, is an American former professional basketball player who has had a successful and illustrious career in the NBA.

He became a household name for his strength, agility, and dominance on the court, playing for six teams over almost two decades.

Apart from his achievements on the court, Shaq has also been in the spotlight for his personal life, having dated several women.

Despite his fame and success, Shaq has managed to maintain a humble and down-to-earth persona, making him a beloved figure both on and off the court.

Shaq’s girlfriend’s timeline

Shaquille O’Neal has had a very active dating life throughout his career. He has been linked to numerous women, including reality TV stars, models, and musicians.

Some of the most notable relationships include Vanessa Lopez, Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander, and Shaunie Nelson, whom he was married to for several years.

While the media have heavily covered O’Neal’s dating life, he has also been vocal about finding the right person and maintaining a strong and healthy relationship.

Annie Ngozi Ilonzeh

Shaq and Annie Ngozi Ilonzeh are beautiful but still need to tie the knot. They have been dating since early 2019 and seem to be going strong. Annie is an accomplished actress.

She was born in Grapevine, Texas, to a Nigerian father and an American mother of Polish and English heritage. She is 40 years old.

Shaunie O’Neal

Va’Shaundya Karlette, Shaunie Henderson, and Shaunie O’Neal are Shaquille‘s ex-wives. She is an American-born reality star, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Shaunie was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, on November 27, 1974.

She is best known as the executive producer and star of the reality TV series Basketball Wives. Despite her past marriage to NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, Shaunie has made a name for herself through her successful business ventures and charitable work.

Shaq and Shaunie were a blended family with children from previous relationships. They married at the Beverly Hills Hotel on December 26, 2002.

Throughout their marriage, they welcomed four children together: Shareef Rashaun O’Neal, Amirah Sanaa O’Neal, Shaqir, and Me’arah O’Neal. Their marriage and growing family were a testament to their love and commitment to each other.

Despite their efforts to reconcile, the couple ultimately separated for good in 2009 when Shaunie filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

After a lengthy legal process, the divorce was finalized in 2011, marking the end of their nine-year marriage. During the divorce, Shaunie sought custody of their children, with Shaq being granted visitation rights.

Arnetta Yarborough

Arnetta Yardbourgh was more than just Shaq‘s first known girlfriend. She is a successful life coach, philanthropist, and owner of a coaching, wellness, and consulting firm.

Their relationship began in 1992, and they welcomed their first child, Taahirah O’Neal, on July 18, 1996. Despite their relationship ending in 1996, they remained on good terms and continued co-parenting their child.

Laticia Rolle

Shaq was 41 years old when he met Laticia Rolle, who was 25. Laticia is an American model who was born in Gardner, Massachusetts. She was a basketball fan, and her beauty captured Shaq‘s heart.

Despite the significant age difference, their relationship blossomed, and they have been together for several years now. Age is just a number, and their love proves that it is not a barrier.

Shaquille O’Neal and Laticia Rolle had a whirlwind romance that started in 2014 and ended in 2018. The couple’s engagement in 2016 highlighted their relationship, with Laticia saying “yes” to Shaq‘s proposal on Instagram.

However, their relationship was short-lived, and they called it quits after four years together. Despite their initial chemistry and love for each other, they could not make it work in the long run.

Nicole Deanna Alexander

Shaq and Nicole‘s brief relationship lasted only three years, from 2010 to 2012. This controversial relationship began less than six months after Shaq’s divorce from Shaunie, his wife of 7 years.

During their time together, Shaq and Nicole shared a home in Maryville’s Royal Oaks golf community while he played for the Boston Celtics.

However, their relationship ended, and the reason for their break was finally revealed when Nicole appeared on It Takes a Sister, a reality show. She publicly stated that the reason for their split was due to Shaq’s infidelity.

Katrina Laverne Taylor

Katrina Laverne Taylor, famously known as Trina, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and television personality. She first gained popularity when she appeared on the single Nann n*gga by Trick Daddy in 1998.

This led to the release of her debut album, Da Baddest Bitch, in 2000, which was a commercial success. Her second album, Diamond Princess, was released in 2002 and solidified her place as a successful female rapper in the male-dominated industry.

Laura Govan

Despite the rumors and speculation, Laura Govan and Shaq have denied dating in 2008. Laura, who is best known for her appearances on reality TV shows, was previously in a relationship with Gilbert Arenas and was also close friends with Shaunie, Shaq‘s ex-wife. However, neither of them has confirmed any romantic involvement.

Dominica Westling

Dominica Westling was born in Uppsala, Sweden, and began her career as an adult/glamour model. During her time in the industry, she caught the attention of NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, and the two began a relationship in 2009.

However, their affair was short-lived as it ended in 2010, with the affair being revealed while Shaq was still married to his now ex-wife Shaunie O’Neal. The scandal was brought to light when emails and messages between Dominica and Shaq were made public.

Dominica had moved from Sweden to Miami, where she met Shaq. It was reported that he frequently brought her to his home while Shaunie was away.

Karrine Steffans

Karrine Steffans‘ relationship with Shaquille O’Neal ended in 2005, but she continued to make headlines with her controversial book series, Vixen.

While some praised her for speaking out about her experiences with famous athletes and rappers, others criticized her for exploiting her relationships and contributing to negative stereotypes. Despite the controversy, Steffans has continued to pursue her career as an actress and author.

Vanessa Lopez

Shaq denied all the allegations and claimed he had never dated Vanessa Lopez. He also stated that she had falsified their relationship and pregnancy to extort money from him.

The court ultimately ruled in Shaq’s favor and dismissed the case, finding no evidence to support Lopez‘s claims. Despite the outcome, the controversy surrounding their alleged relationship remains a topic of discussion in the media.