After Losing Millions at Behest of Mother’s Addiction, Shaquille O’Neal Reveals Sole Goal Behind His $400,000,000 Empire

Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal is one of the many NBA players who have enjoyed the full fruit of their years of efforts and hard work. Through his 19-year career with the NBA, his businesses and investments and his current work as a TNT sportscaster, Shaq has generated a net worth that is just shy of half a billion dollars.

Looking at his humble background, not many people would have expected the legend to rise to such a level. It has also led to people asking Shaq about the motivation behind earning and maintaining his vast empire. The former player provided the answer in this resurfaced clip.

Shaquille O’Neal talks about the meaning of “being rich” for him

The official Twitter handle of ‘Business Insider Africa’ recently uploaded a clip. It features a segment of Shaquille O’Neal’s CNBC interview that took place back in October 2022. Donning a South Park T-Shirt, the former player talked about his definition of being rich. For him, it all comes down to buying his mother whatever she wants.

“That’s it. That’s all I care about,” said Shaq during the interview.

In order to better clarify his point, the Lakers star narrated a story about a moment that took place when Shaq was merely 17 years of age. During a stop that took place when he and his mother were driving through San Antonio, Texas, the young athlete saw his mother looking at a house. Despite the fact that there was nothing special with it, the house still intrigued Lucille O’Neal, given the fact that she never had a house before.

“We went from apartments to army housing houses, but she never had her own house,” added Shaq during the discussion. “And that hurt me”.

While Lucille was looking at the dwelling and “just dreaming,” Shaq was making up his mind that when he got the house, he is going to take care of his mother.

READ MORE: As Skip Bayless Gets Heckled On Live TV, Shaquille O’Neal Joins Snoop Dogg To Egg 71YO’s Comeback

With a net worth that currently exceeds more than $400 million, Shaq says that it is a “good feeling” to be able to buy anything that his mother wants. That, according to him, is the definition of being rich.

Lucille O’Neal didn’t want to tarnish her son’s legacy

Shaquille O’Neal’s mother had her fair share of troubles, which caused a toll on her. In order to ease this, she turned to excessive drinking.

Even when Shaq rose to prominence during the 90s, Lucille’s battle with alcoholism wouldn’t change. During an interview with Memphis Parent, she revealed that she was using her son’s money to “buy the best liquor.”

With the sight of the world on her son and on herself, Shaq’s mother decided to make a change.

“I wasn’t a bad mother, but I had demons. I needed to be delivered from alcohol. Now I’ve been single for 15 years and I’m having a love affair with myself and the Lord,” said Lucille O’Neal during the interview.

WATCH THIS STORY | “He Passed That Sunday”: Shaquille O’Neal’s 66YO Buddy Reminisces the “Surreal” Moment When the World Lost NBA Legend Kobe Bryant

Shaquille O’Neal is a classic example of what a good son can do for his mother. Each and every one of us wishes to stand by our mother’s side the same way that the Lakers legend does.