Shaq’s Mother Admits She Didn’t Feel His Marriage to Shaunie Was Right for Him: “I Had to Let It Happen… We Are Not Their Girlfriends”

Throughout this year, Shaunie Henderson and Shaquille O’Neal’s former marriage has been a topic of discussion due to Shaunie’s book and Shaq’s podcast, where they both have respectfully detailed their time together in their 7-year marriage. Now, Shaq’s mom is joining the conversation and giving her thoughts on what her first impression of Shaunie was back in the day.

While doing an interview with Sway In The Morning, Lucille O’Neal talked about how it is to navigate being a mother to a wealthy athlete such as Shaq. Sway asked Lucille what it was like to meet Shaq’s then-wife Shaunie and how she viewed their relationship initially. Lucille didn’t hold back with her answer.

“A mother’s love for a son is something extremely unique, and at some point, those sons find other women,” Sway began. “They find wives. What was it like when you first met Shaunie? What was that like knowing that my son is about to be married and has this new person in their life?”

“Before then, I had already gotten to the place where my place is secure. I don’t care who he marries or who he gets with. I know my place, and I’m secure in it,” said Lucille. “It’s hard to see them go into a relationship and somehow you may feel maybe that might not be the right relationship,” she said. “But, you have to step back, and we have to let it happen. And I tell a lot of the mothers that we are going to remain their mothers as long as they live… we are not their girlfriends. So, I’m safe in my place.”