Shaq gets candid about destroying relationships with ‘two perfect women’ — including his wife

Shaquille O’Neal has regrets about letting two perfect women slip away.

During a conversation with Monica on her Apple Music Hits “Mo Talk Radio,” Shaq revealed how he messed up two relationships, and explained how he’s teaching his sons to treat women.

“I had two perfect women and I messed it up,” Shaq said. “My first one was my baby mother, Arnetta [Yardbourgh], and then I met Shaunie [Nelson]. Shaunie was also a perfect woman and I messed it up.

“Yeah, you know, we were young and always just doing dumb stuff. But, the good thing about our relationship is that they forgave me and we have a good relationship now. But when you ask me about the perfect woman — I had two perfect women and I messed it up, just by, you know, being dumb.

“…First thing you have to be is honest, honest with yourself and honest with your partner… I tell my sons all the time, a man has three jobs when it comes to a woman. Protect, provide and love.

“Some men can only offer two, for whatever reason, but I’ma teach you how to offer all three. And that’s what I try to do — and even though I don’t have a relationship with the women that I let get away, I will always PPL: protect, provide, and love, whatever they need they get it from me.”

Shaq went on to say that he’s happy for Shaunie, who married pastor Keion Henderson in May 2022.

“I hope this gentleman treats her the way she’s supposed to be treated, and I’m going to still love her,” he said.

“She’s still my wife. I will always protect, provide and love for her — married or not.”

Shaquille O’Neal on with Monica’s “Mo Talk Radio” with Apple Music Hits on June 25, 2023. YouTube

O’Neal and Yardbourgh, who he called his “first love,” welcomed their daughter Taahirah in 1996.

The “NBA on TNT” host was married to Shaunie, a former “Basketball Wives” star, for nine years, and they share four children: Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir and Me’arah.

Shaunie also had a son from a previous relationship named Myles, who later took on O’Neal’s surname. 

The now ex-couple tied the knot in 2002 and finalized their divorce in 2011.

“I’ll always be there for them,” Shaq said. “If they want to get married and find people better than me, I understand that, I accept that.”

Shaquille O’Neal on with Monica’s “Mo Talk Radio” with Apple Music Hits on June 25, 2023. YouTube Shaquille O’Neal and wife Shaunie O’Neal at Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night XIV at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on April 5, 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona. WireImage

During an April appearance on “The Pivot Podcast,” Shaq said, “I was bad… It was all me.”

While the four-time NBA champion did not disclose details about what went wrong in the relationship, he did say that he “wasn’t protecting [Henderson] and protecting those vows.”

Shareef O’Neal (C) poses with his parents Shaquille O’Neal (L) and Shaunie Henderson (R) at the Jordan Brand Future of Flight Showcase on January 25, 2018 in Studio City, California. Getty Images Shareef O’Neal (L) with Shaquille O’Neal (C) and Shaunie Henderson (R) as he celebrates 18th birthday party at West Coast Customs on January 13, 2018 in Burbank, California. Getty Images

In November, Henderson discussed her past with Shaq and told Page Six that she’s feeling her best right now in life.

When asked if she felt good about her ex-husband owning up to his part in their split, Henderson said: “I don’t need that validation. I’m pretty confident in who I am and what I’ve done.

“And what I’ve accomplished and what I’ve worked on to better myself. I don’t need somebody else’s validation to put my chest out. I feel my best right now in life.”