Shaquille O'Neal explained why he won't share fortune with his children
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty Images
You'd think having $500 million in fortune would make you want to share it with your nearest and dearest, but that's not exactly Shaquille O'Neal's way of thinking.
The NBA star, who has recently been in the news over claims he sent Sabrina Carpenter 'horny' messages, has made quite the name for himself following his retirement from the sport.
With his massive fortune, Shaq purchased nine Papa John's franchises in Atlanta, while he's also owned 155 Five Guys restaurants in the past.
Just head over to Shaq's Instagram and you'll soon pick up on the lavish lifestyle he lives, including treating himself to things like a $27 million private jet.
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While he splashes the cash on himself, the sporting star previously spoke about his lack of desire to share his massive fortune with his children.
The former LA Lakers player instead insisted his children have to go their own way in life.
"My kids are older now. They kinda upset with me - not really upset –- but they don’t understand," Shaq said in an interview in 2021. "Because I tell them all the time. We ain’t rich. I’m rich."
However, rather than kicking them to the curb entirely, the basketball star said he'd support his kids with their future endeavours and businesses - providing they have a good enough pitch for him to consider investing in.
"You’ve got to have Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees and then if you want me to invest in one of your companies, you’re going to have to present it. Bring it to me, I’ll let you know. I’m not giving you nothing," he added.
Shaq shares four children with ex-wife, Shaunie Nelson - sons Shareef and Shaqir, and daughters Amirah and Me'arah, as well as a stepson, Myles, from Shaunie's previous relationship.
He also has a daughter, Taahirah, from a former girlfriend.
Expanding on what he wants for all six of his youngsters, he said he would like to see them become medics, entrepreneurs or just successful in their own right, revealing he follows the philosophy of 'respectable nepotism'.
"I would like a doctor, somebody to own a hedge fund, a pharmacist, a lawyer, someone that owns multiple businesses, someone to take over my business," Shaq continued.
"But I tell them I’m not going to hand it to you. You gotta earn it."
Shareef and Amirah are heading down the basketball path, so if they were to follow in their dad's footsteps, maybe they'll have a similar net worth in the future.