Everything to Know About Shaquille O'Neal's Family (He's a Dad of 6)

Get to know the NBA legend's six kids: Taahirah, Myles, Shareef, Shaqir, Amirah, and Me'arah

Photo: Stefanie Keenan/WireImage

NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is a proud father of six kids.

O'Neal and his ex-wife Shaunie O'Neal share four children together: sons Shareef and Shaqir and daughters Amirah and Me'arah. The athlete also has a stepson, Myles, from Shaunie's previous relationship, and a daughter, Taahirah, with his former girlfriend, Arnetta Yardbourgh.

Despite both breakups, O'Neal is still on good terms with his exes as he continues to co-parent his children.

"I have two wonderful women that have given me beautiful, gorgeous children, I have to protect and I have to provide and I have to love for them forever," the athlete said in an episode of The Pivot Podcast.

Speaking of providing, Shaq revealed that he loves to spoil his kids on Christmas, calling himself "Shaq-a-Claus" during an interview with Mila Kunis on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in October 2017. When Kunis asked what he gives his children for the holiday, he responded, "Everything they want.com."

While the athlete is generous with gifts, he wants his kids to prove themselves before he helps them in their careers. In a November 2022 interview with PEOPLE, O'Neal explained that he would help his kids with business ventures but wants them to prove themselves through hard work. He mentioned wanting to see a "resume" and "business plan" along with "numbers" to support their idea. "I don't give a s--- what you are, because if it's done the right way, I believe in nepotism."

The NBA legend added that when he finds himself "checking into the old folks home," he hopes his children will be "running what I started" and continue to contribute to the "generational wealth" he's created in his career.

In October 2022, O'Neal praised the mothers of his children, calling them "the strongest beings on this planet" during an appearance on the podcast 2 Lies and 1 Truth. "Their moms did a great job of planning activities. You know you women need a lot more credit and a lot more respect because you guys do really all the work," he said.

O'Neal also added that he will never use the term "baby mamas" when referring to the women. "That's why I don't want to degrade them by saying baby mamas. They're two beautiful Black women that did a tremendous job," he continued.

In the same interview, the athlete was asked about his best and worst memories with his children. "The best moment is just coming home every day and hearing five, six different voices," O'Neal said. "Worst moment is when the separation happened and they weren't there every day. That was probably my worst moment."

Keep scrolling for a breakdown of O'Neal's family of six.

Taahirah O'Neal, 26

TNT

O'Neal welcomed daughter Taahirah into the world with former girlfriend Yardbourgh in 1996. She graduated magna cum laude from Oglethorpe University in 2019, as shown on TNT's Shaq Life. She is currently a communications associate analyst for PepsiCo and serves as a part-time social media assistant at her dad's entertainment company Mine O Mine, per her LinkedIn.

On Nov. 16, 2022, Taahirah posted a photo of her and her dad smiling at the premiere of his new series Shaq. "Last night, I walked my very first carpet with my bestie at the premiere of his HBO documentary series," she wrote, adding that she was "honored to be a part" of the project.

Myles O'Neal, 25

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Myles was born to Shaunie in 1997 — and later took on O'Neal's surname. Myles is no stranger to the entertainment scene, as the musician and model has graced TV screens and walked runways since he was young.

He first appeared on his mom's reality television series Basketball Wives in 2010. Three years later, he hit the screen again on his family's show Shaunie's Home Court.

At age 21, Myles made his fashion show debut when he walked in Dolce & Gabbana's Spring 2018 runway show during Milan Fashion Week.

On Oct. 25, 2022, Myles shared a fun photo of him and Shaq partying at a Formula 1 race at Circuit of the Americas in Texas. "Another @f1 in the books!" he wrote in the caption.

Shareef O'Neal, 22

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Shareef is a rising basketball star who currently plays as a forward for Louisiana State University. Prior, he played for the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2019-2020 season.

Now, after two years at LSU, Shareef has entered the transfer portal and is on the move yet again.

"Wherever he decides I'm behind him," Shaq told The Big Podcast about his son. "He's a grown man making a decision and has kinda had a lot of basketball bad luck. We go to LSU where I thought they would take care of him but they didn't, they have their own problems down there. I hope wherever he goes he gets a shot."

Amirah O'Neal, 21

amirahoneal_/Instagram

Amirah is also a college athlete, playing basketball for Texas Southern University. Prior, she was a walk-on at her dad's alma mater, LSU.

Shaqir O'Neal, 19

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Shaqir also has a passion for sports. The forward for TSU said in an interview with Overtime that he committed to the school to "change the narrative" on historically Black colleges and universities, per ESPN.

"You can expect a lot of buckets," he said in the interview. "I'm trying to get to the league."

Me'arah O'Neal, 16

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Me'arah is the second of her siblings to receive an offer from UCLA — following older her brother, Shareef, who attended for a brief time before transferring to LSU.

Though she's only in high school, Me'arah holds offers from UCLA, TCU, Virginia, and Howard University, per her Instagram.