Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has admitted that his kids don’t understand why he won’t share his $400 million fortune with them.
During what was an illustrious career, O’Neal played for the likes of Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
The 51-year-old has won the NBA four times, and won the NBA Finals MVP on three occasions.
O’Neal was also named NBA Most Valuable Player in 2000.
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Back in 2021, O’Neal reportedly had a net worth of $400 milliob but revealed that he will invest in his children instead of just handing them the money.
He told Earn Your Leisure: “My kids are older now. They kinda upset with me - not really upset - but they don't understand. Because I tell them all the time. We ain't rich. I'm rich.
“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 continued: “There's one rule: education. I don't care if you play basketball. I don't care about none of that.
“Listen, I got six kids. 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. But I tell them I'm not going to hand it to you. You gotta earn it.”
Speaking to New York Post, O’Neal said: “These celebrities are going freaking crazy and I don't want to be one. I denounce my celebrity-ness today. I'm done with it.
“I don't want to be in that category. Celebrities are crazy, they really are. Don't call me that anymore. These people are out of their freaking mind with how they treat people, what they do, what they say. That's never been me. I never want to be looked at like that.”
He added: “All my life, everyone probably gets stereotyped, but us celebrities, we get stereotyped because most of these celebrities are out of their mind. I don't do that. I'm a regular person that listened, followed his dreams and made it.
“I came from nothing. But, just because I made it doesn't mean I'm bigger than you, smarter than you - just because I have more money doesn't mean I'm better than you. I've never been that way and I never will be that way. So I don't want to be in that category of people.”
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Topics: Basketball, NBA,
Marcus Chan