“Woman at the Salon Was Crying”: Shaquille O’Neal, Who Paid Only $50,000 Alimony to Shaunie, Once Saved a Stranger From Eviction

Shaquille O’Neal and Shaunie’s relationship was riddled with problems. The two married in 2002. Unfortunately for Shaunie, the 7ft 1″ center was at the peak of his popularity. In his own confession, O’Neal claimed how hard it had been to stay loyal knowing so many women desired you.

The Los Angeles Lakers icon was dominating for a town filled with celebrities while making millions of dollars each season. Of course, he was desired. But he did betray Shaunie by sleeping with other women. The eventual divorce in 2011 ended their marriage.

Surprisingly, Shaquille O’Neal paid his ex-wife just $50,000 in alimony. But he went out of his way to help out a stranger in their time of need.

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Shaquille O’Neal saved a Woman from eviction

In his critically acclaimed book Three-Ring Circus, author Jeff Pearlman wrote of the time Shaq began working with a trainer named Cory Gilday.

Gilday was supposed to work with the Lakers superstar on behalf of an endorsement deal with Anytime Fitness. As per Gilday, the Lakers superstar was generous beyond measure. He revealed how once Shaq helped a Salon worker pay off her rent.

Pearlman wrote of the incident in his book:

“As part of an endorsement deal with 24 Hour Fitness, that off-season he had been assigned a personal trainer named Cory Gilday, a 25-year-old Canadian who relocated from Portland, Oregon, to Orlando to work specifically with the Laker. Gilday loved O’Neal more than anyone he had ever helped—“I mean, the gym we worked at was next to a tanning salon,” he recalled. “One day the woman at the front desk at the salon was crying. He asked her what was wrong. She was three months behind rent, and had her eviction papers with her. Shaq made a phone call right then and there, took care of it. That was him.”

Shaunie and O’Neal’s story ended on a bitter note

Shaq and Shaunie were effectively married for 7 years because Shaunie filed for divorce in 2009. This was after they had already reconciled once before in 2007. The divorce was finalized in 2011.

To be fair to Shaq, he is honest about the whole thing. He has publicly blamed himself for the split and apologized to Shaunie. It’s unlikely Shaunie actually forgave him considering the unhinged infidelity. But at least she knows he owed up to it.

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