Shaunie O’Neal is a TV producer, actress and philanthropist. She is best known for being the producer and cast member of VH1’s hit TV series Basketball Wives. O’Neal has also produced Basketball Wives LA and Baller Wives. O’Neal rose to public prominence after marrying her now ex-husband, Shaquille O’Neal. 

Here are 4 things you should know about the TV mogul and celebrity personality.

Her marriage to Shaq ended in 2010

As previously mentioned, Shaunie O’Neal was married to NBA legend, Shaquille O’Neal. The pair met in 1996 and dated for a couple of years before tying the knot in 2002. Five years after their marriage, it was reported that Shaq filed for divorce from his wife in 2007. The reason is unclear but allegedly it had something to do with money and lack of trust. Fortunately, the couple was able to resolve their differences, and talk of divorce died down in the media. However, two years later in 2009, Shaunie filed for divorce claiming irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized, and the couple went their separate ways in 2010 after about seven years of marriage. The pair have four children together, and both Shaq and Shaunie have one child of their own from previous relationships.

She launched a series of women's empowerment events in 2017

O’Neal started a program called Let’s Talk About It in 2017. O’Neal travels to different organizations and hosts events geared towards empowering women of all walks of life. In these events, O’Neal brings along special guest speakers, mostly successful entrepreneurial women. Some notable speakers include Mielle Organics founder and CEO Monique Rodriguez, Single Wives Club founder Koereyelle DuBose, TV producer Stella Bulochnikov, and Basketball WivesEvelyn Lozada and Tami Roman. In an interview with Black Enterprise, O’Neal explains that she hopes this series will inspire women to get along and support one another. 

“I definitely hope they will take away that we actually can work together, we actually can uplift each other, and it’s OK to compliment each other,” O’Neal explained. “It’s OK to share your knowledge with one another.”

Her son had open heart surgery in 2018

In 2018, O’Neal’s son, Shareef O’Neal, had open-heart surgery after being diagnosed with a right anomalous coronary artery, a heart condition caused by an artery growing in the wrong place. Shareef’s condition was discovered at UCLA during a routine physical examination. Right before the surgery, his mother Shaunie shared a picture of her son preparing to head into the operating room.

​​“This morning was by far my toughest moment being a Mom,” she wrote on Instagram. “If only I could take his place today. Could I at least go with him in that operating room and hold his hand. Separating from him as he was wheeled off to surgery was heartbreaking.”

Shareef is now doing well and plays basketball for the LSU Tigers.

Shaunie O'Neal and pastor Keion Henderson got married in 2022

After almost two years of dating, Shaunie O’Neal and Keion Henderson got engaged in Nov. 2021 and just recently tied the knot on May 28, 2022, at the Aurora Anguilla Resort and Golf Club. According to PEOPLE, the wedding was officiated by Bishop T.D. Jakes and Ron Isley from the Isley Brothers performed with the band during the reception.

While the wedding planning was underway O’Neal sadly lost her father, so her three sons walked her down the aisle. “I just lost my dad in February,” O’Neal tells PEOPLE. “So, I really struggled with how I was going to get down the aisle. Losing my dad in the midst of planning this wedding was a lot, so my sons handed me off.”