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    Home»Celebrity»What Happened to Arnetta Yardbourgh, Shaquille O’Neal’s Ex-Girlfriend?
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    What Happened to Arnetta Yardbourgh, Shaquille O’Neal’s Ex-Girlfriend?

    AdminBy AdminJanuary 21, 2026No Comments10 Mins Read
    What Happened to Arnetta Yardbourgh, Shaquille O’Neal’s Ex-Girlfriend?
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    Before Shaquille O’Neal became a global superstar, there was someone important standing quietly beside him. Her name is Arnetta Yardbourgh, and she was by Shaq’s side before the fame, the championship rings, and the TV spotlight.

    Many people know Shaquille O’Neal, but very few know the full story of Arnetta Yardbourgh, Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-girlfriend. She’s not a celebrity, but she played a big role in his early life. She’s also the mother of his first child. And even after their breakup, Arnetta built her own peaceful and powerful life — far from the spotlight.

    In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about her. From her childhood and education, to her relationship with Shaq, her coaching career, and what her life looks like today in 2026.

    Arnetta Yardbourgh Quick Bio

    Full Name Arnetta Marie Yardbourgh
    Date of Birth December 10, 1971
    Age (2026) 54 years old
    Birthplace Houston, Texas, USA
    Nationality American
    Ethnicity African-American
    Religion Christianity
    Height 5 ft 8 in (180 cm)
    Weight 121 lbs (55 kg)
    Marital Status Single
    Ex-Partner Shaquille O’Neal
    Children 1 – Taahirah O’Neal
    Education BA, MA, Doctorate
    Profession Life Coach, Businesswoman
    Company AY & Associates, LLC
    Net Worth (2026) $0.3 million (est.)
    Current Residence Houston, Texas
    Instagram (Inactive) @ayacoach

    Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Early Life and Family

    Arnetta Yardbourgh was born on December 10, 1971, in Houston, Texas. She grew up in a close and loving family. Her mother, Cheryl Richardson, worked as both a health educator and a master hairstylist. Arnetta also has a sister, Kinika Richardson, who spent 20 years working in the airline business before becoming an entrepreneur.

    As a child, Arnetta was kind, focused, and full of energy. She wasn’t just a quiet girl — she was athletic too. During her college years, she played volleyball as a middle blocker, showing her team spirit and strong leadership.

    Those early years shaped who she would become. Arnetta learned the importance of staying strong, calm, and helpful — things that still show in her work today.

    Her Education and Degrees

    Arnetta is not just kind and strong — she’s also highly educated. She truly believes in learning and growing. And she didn’t stop at just one degree. She has many!

    Here’s a simple look at her education path:

    • She finished high school at Judson High School in 1990.

    • Then she got a Master of Liberal Arts from Schreiner University in 1992.

    • She went on to study Speech Communications at the University of Houston, finishing in 1995.

    • From 1997 to 1999, she did graduate studies in humanities at Houston Christian University.

    • She later earned a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) certificate from the Coaches Training Institute.

    • In 2014, she earned a Doctorate in Psychology from Walden University.

    That’s a long list! It shows how serious she is about learning, helping others, and being the best at what she does. She didn’t let being known as Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-girlfriend define her — she built her own identity through education.

    How Arnetta Yardbourgh Met Shaquille O’Neal

    So how did Arnetta meet Shaquille O’Neal?

    The exact story is not fully public, but many believe they met as teenagers in Texas. Some even say they went to the same high school or knew each other through mutual friends. What’s special is that their relationship started before Shaq became famous.

    By the time Shaq was drafted into the NBA in 1992, he and Arnetta were already dating. Their relationship wasn’t about fame or money — it was about two young people figuring out life together.

    It’s rare to see a relationship that starts before the spotlight, especially in the world of sports. And that’s what makes this story so special.

    Inside Arnetta Yardbourgh and Shaquille O’Neal’s Relationship

    Arnetta and Shaq dated from 1992 to early 1996. During this time, Shaq was starting his NBA career with the Orlando Magic, and Arnetta was there with him during his early rise.

    They were never married, but they had a strong bond. Arnetta supported him quietly, and stayed out of the media. That’s something many people admire about her — she didn’t chase attention.

    In January 1996, they broke up quietly. Just six months later, their daughter was born. Even after their split, both Arnetta and Shaq kept things peaceful and private. There was no drama in public. They simply focused on what mattered — their child.

    Meet Taahirah O’Neal, Their Daughter

    Taahirah O’Neal was born on July 18, 1996, in Orlando, Florida. After her birth, Arnetta moved back to Houston to raise her daughter in a calmer, more private place — away from all the noise and fame.

    Taahirah grew up smart, grounded, and strong — just like her mom. She later went on to graduate from Oglethorpe University with a degree in Sociology. Now, she works at PepsiCo as a Brand Communications and Community Engagement Analyst. She also helps with social media at her father’s company, Mine O’ Mine.

    Arnetta raised her daughter with love, wisdom, and care. Shaq has spoken highly of both Arnetta and their daughter. In a 2022 interview, he said:

    “I have two wonderful women that have given me beautiful, gorgeous children. I have to protect and love them forever.”

    That one quote shows the respect Shaq still has for Arnetta Yardbourgh, Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-girlfriend.

    What Happened to Arnetta Yardbourgh After the Breakup?

    So, what did Arnetta do after breaking up with one of the biggest names in sports?

    She didn’t try to stay in the spotlight. Instead, she chose peace. She focused on raising her daughter, continued her education, and started building her career. She didn’t do interviews or appear in gossip headlines. She quietly worked on her goals.

    While many people would have used the fame to become a celebrity, Arnetta went the opposite way. And that’s what makes her story powerful. She showed that you can be strong, kind, and successful — without being loud about it.

    Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Coaching Career and Business

    After her breakup with Shaquille O’Neal, Arnetta didn’t stop or slow down. She used her knowledge, education, and life experience to build something new. In 2010, she started her own company called AY & Associates, LLC.

    This company helps people through life coaching, business coaching, and wellness programs. Arnetta works with many different people — from young professionals and business owners to women looking for balance and direction in life. She helps them stay focused, feel strong, and move forward.

    Her business is based in Houston, just like her home. And while she doesn’t post much online, her work speaks for itself. She leads with calm energy, kind words, and real support — the kind that truly helps others grow.

    Her Certifications and Coaching Skills

    Arnetta Yardbourgh isn’t just calling herself a coach — she’s fully trained and certified.

    She holds a CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach) certificate. That’s one of the highest coaching certifications in the world. She’s also a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a respected group that supports only serious, trained coaches.

    She has also completed training in:

    • Crisis support

    • Basic mediation

    • Relationship coaching

    • Birkman assessments (used to understand personality and behavior)

    • Organizational coaching

    These skills help her guide people through tough times, family issues, work struggles, and personal change. It shows that Arnetta Yardbourgh, Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-girlfriend, didn’t just move on — she leveled up.

    Other Jobs and Projects Arnetta Has Done

    Before starting her own company, Arnetta tried different things — and learned from each one.

    • In the late 1990s, she worked as a greeting card publisher for On The Real Inc.

    • From 2002 to 2009, she was a life coach at OTR Life Coaching.

    • Then, from 2002 to 2018, she worked with Houston Coaches.

    • She was also a wellness consultant at Tri Fit in 2012–2013.

    One of her most interesting roles? She was President of the Sugar Land Legends, a semi-pro basketball team, from 2013 to 2017. That job showed her love for sports and leadership. Even though she wasn’t in the NBA world anymore, she stayed close to it — in her own way.

    She also served as Chapter President of FemCity Houston, a group that supports businesswomen through networking and wellness.

    What Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Life Looks Like Today

    As of 2026, Arnetta Yardbourgh still lives in Houston, Texas. She enjoys a calm, private life — far from fame and news headlines.

    She hasn’t updated her personal Facebook or Instagram since 2021. Her business page, AY & Associates, has also stayed quiet online. But that doesn’t mean she stopped working. It just means she doesn’t need to post everything for the world to see.

    Arnetta is someone who values peace, family, and real growth — not attention. She may be helping people behind the scenes, working with local groups, or simply enjoying life with her daughter and loved ones.

    Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Net Worth and Income Sources

    Many people wonder: how much is she worth?

    Arnetta Yardbourgh’s net worth is estimated to be around $0.3 million. This money likely comes from her coaching business, wellness consulting, speaking engagements, and her past work in leadership and wellness.

    She never used Shaq’s name for fame or money. She worked hard, earned her degrees, built her brand, and created her own success — one step at a time.

    She’s a great example of quiet power. You won’t find her on TV or social media every day. But she’s still doing meaningful work.

    Final Thoughts

    So, what happened to Arnetta Yardbourgh, Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-girlfriend?

    She moved forward — with strength, peace, and purpose.

    She didn’t stay in the past. She raised a smart, strong daughter. She started her own business. She earned a doctorate. She helped others grow. And she stayed true to herself, even when the world was watching.

    Arnetta’s story is special because it’s real. She didn’t need drama or fame to be important. She showed that you can lead a full life — even quietly.

    If you’ve ever felt like the world expects you to be loud to be seen, remember Arnetta Yardbourgh. She chose calm over chaos. She chose growth over gossip. And she found her own way — with love, grace, and power.

    (FAQs)

    How tall is Arnetta Yardbourgh?

    She is 5 feet 8 inches tall. That’s pretty tall — and she even played volleyball in college!

    How much is Arnetta Yardbourgh worth?

    Her net worth is about $300,000. She made this money from her coaching and business work — not from being famous.

    Who is Arnetta Yardbourgh’s daughter?

    Her daughter is Taahirah O’Neal, the first child of Shaquille O’Neal. Taahirah works at PepsiCo and helps with Shaq’s company too.

    How old is Arnetta Yardbourgh now?

    She was born on December 10, 1971, so in 2026 she is 54 years old. Many people say she still looks very young!

    Is Arnetta Yardbourgh married today?

    She is not married. She lives a quiet, private life in Houston, Texas.


    You may also read: Kirsten Barlow: The Private Life of Joe Lando’s Wife

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