Arnetta Yardbourgh is an American life coach, wellness consultant and businesswoman from Houston, Texas. She is best known as the former girlfriend of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and the mother of his first child, Taahirah O’Neal. Born on December 10, 1971, she is 54 years old and turns 55 in December 2026.
This guide covers her education, career, relationship with Shaq, daughter, net worth and life today.
Arnetta Yardbourgh Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Arnetta Marie Yardbourgh |
| Date of birth | December 10, 1971 |
| Age | 54 (turns 55 on December 10, 2026) |
| Birthplace | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Zodiac sign | Sagittarius |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Height | About 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Education | Doctorate in Psychology, Walden University (2014) |
| Profession | Life coach, wellness consultant, businesswoman |
| Company | AY & Associates, LLC |
| Known for | Former girlfriend of Shaquille O’Neal |
| Daughter | Taahirah O’Neal |
| Relationship status | Single (reported) |
| Residence | Houston, Texas |
Who Is Arnetta Yardbourgh?
Arnetta Yardbourgh is a professional coach and entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in coaching, wellness and leadership. Many people search for her because of her relationship with Shaquille O’Neal, but her career has been built independently. She holds advanced degrees, founded her own company and has held leadership roles in business and sports.
Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Early Life and Family
Birth and Hometown
Arnetta was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and she still calls the city home. She grew up in a supportive family that valued education.
Parents and Sister
Her mother, Cheryl Richardson, reportedly worked as a health educator and hairstylist. Information about her father is not public. She has a sister, Kinika Richardson, who spent years in the airline industry before becoming an entrepreneur.
Athletic Background (Volleyball)
Arnetta was athletic from a young age. During her college years she reportedly played volleyball as a middle blocker, which points to the discipline she later brought to her career.
Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Education and Qualifications
Education is one of the defining parts of her story. Her academic path spans nearly three decades.
High School
She graduated from Judson High School in 1990. The school is in the San Antonio area, not Houston.
Schreiner University and University of Houston
After high school she studied at Schreiner University. She later studied Speech Communications at the University of Houston, finishing in the mid-1990s. Some online profiles list a master’s degree from Schreiner in 1992, but that timeline is unverified, so it is safest to say she studied there.
Houston Christian University
From 1997 to 1999 she pursued graduate studies in humanities at Houston Christian University.
Doctorate in Psychology (Walden University)
In 2014 she earned a doctorate in psychology from Walden University. This gives her coaching work a solid grounding in human behavior and emotional growth.
CPCC Certification and ICF Membership
She is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), trained through the Coaches Training Institute. She is also a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a respected professional body for coaches.
How Arnetta Yardbourgh Met Shaquille O’Neal
The exact story of how they met has not been publicly confirmed. Some reports say they met in Texas when they were young. What is widely reported is that they began dating in 1992, around the time Shaq was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic. Their relationship started before his superstar status.
Arnetta Yardbourgh and Shaquille O’Neal: Relationship Timeline
When Did They Start Dating?
They began dating in 1992. Arnetta was about 20, and Shaq was in the first year of his NBA career.
Why Did They Break Up?
They separated in January 1996, after roughly four years together. The couple never married. Neither has publicly explained the split. Some websites claim it was over a prenuptial agreement, but this is unconfirmed, so treat it as rumor.
Co-Parenting After the Split
There was no public drama. They kept a low-key, respectful co-parenting relationship centered on their daughter.
Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Daughter, Taahirah O’Neal
Birth and Childhood
Taahirah was born in Orlando, Florida, in July 1996, about six months after her parents separated. Sources differ on the exact day (July 18 or 19). Arnetta moved back to Houston to raise her, and Taahirah grew up away from the media spotlight. Arnetta was about 24 at the time of the birth.
Education
Taahirah graduated from Oglethorpe University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Career (PepsiCo and Mine O Mine)
Taahirah works at PepsiCo in communications and community engagement roles. She has also done social media work connected to her father’s entertainment company, Mine O Mine. She is Shaq’s eldest child and has five younger half-siblings: Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, Me’arah and stepbrother Myles.
Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Career and Business Ventures
| Years | Role | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 to 2002 | Greeting card publisher | On The Real Inc. |
| 2002 to 2009 | Life coach | OTR Life Coaching Inc. |
| 2002 to 2018 | Coach | Houston Coaches |
| 2010 to present | Founder, coach, wellness consultant | AY & Associates, LLC |
| 2013 | Wellness consultant | Tri Fit |
| 2013 to 2017 | President | Sugar Land Legends |
| 2015 to present | Chapter leader | Femfessionals / FemCity |
Early Career (On The Real Inc. and OTR Life Coaching)
She began as a greeting card publisher, then moved into life coaching in 2002. This was the foundation for her later business.
AY & Associates, LLC
In 2010 she founded AY & Associates, LLC, a boutique company in Houston offering life coaching, business coaching, wellness and consulting. Her focus areas include confidence, leadership and work-life balance.
Houston Coaches and Tri Fit
She worked with Houston Coaches for about 16 years and took on a wellness consulting role at Tri Fit in 2013.
President of Sugar Land Legends
From 2013 to 2017 she served as president of the Sugar Land Legends, a men’s semi-professional basketball team in Sugar Land, Texas.
FemCity / Femfessionals Leadership
She has been linked with Femfessionals LLC (FemCity) since 2015 and has served as a chapter leader of FemCity Houston, a network for women entrepreneurs.
Philanthropy and Speaking
She is often described as a philanthropist and motivational speaker, with experience in mediation, crisis support and relationship coaching.
Is Arnetta Yardbourgh Married?
No. She has never been publicly reported as married.
Current Relationship Status
She is reported to be single and keeps her love life private.
Who Did Shaquille O’Neal Marry?
After their relationship ended, Shaq married television personality Shaunie Henderson (now Shaunie O’Neal) in 2002. They had four children and divorced in 2011. Shaunie later became an executive producer of the reality series Basketball Wives.
Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Net Worth and Income Sources
There is no verified figure for Arnetta’s net worth. Some websites estimate about $300,000, but these numbers are unconfirmed guesses. Her income likely comes from:
- Life and business coaching
- Wellness and consulting services
- Speaking engagements
- Leadership and board roles
There is no public evidence that she depends on Shaq financially.
Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Height and Appearance
Arnetta is about 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is roughly 173 cm. Some sites list 180 cm, but that is incorrect for 5’8″. She is reported to have dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. She is a private individual, so there is little reliable public information beyond this.
Is Arnetta Yardbourgh on Social Media?
She has had social media accounts in the past but is not very active publicly. Her Instagram appears inactive, and she rarely shares personal updates. Her professional presence is mainly through her business and LinkedIn.
Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Life Away From the Spotlight
She has avoided interviews, gossip and media headlines. Rather than leaning on a famous connection, she built her reputation through education, coaching and community leadership.
Where Is Arnetta Yardbourgh Now in 2026?
In 2026 she lives in Houston, Texas, and continues to run AY & Associates, LLC. She stays close to her daughter and maintains a respectful co-parenting relationship with Shaq.
Conclusion
Arnetta Yardbourgh is far more than “Shaq’s ex.” She is a mother, a doctor of psychology, a certified coach and a business founder. Her story shows that a meaningful life can be built on focus, education and privacy.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arnetta Yardbourgh
Who is Arnetta Yardbourgh?
She is a Houston-based life coach, wellness consultant and businesswoman. She is the mother of Shaquille O’Neal’s first child, Taahirah, and founder of AY & Associates, LLC.
How old is Arnetta Yardbourgh?
She was born on December 10, 1971. She is 54 in October 2026 and turns 55 in December 2026.
Was Arnetta Yardbourgh married to Shaquille O’Neal?
No. They dated from 1992 to January 1996 and never married.
Who is Arnetta Yardbourgh’s daughter?
Her daughter is Taahirah O’Neal, born in July 1996 in Orlando, Florida. She works in communications at PepsiCo.
How many children does Arnetta Yardbourgh have?
She has one child, Taahirah.
What does Arnetta Yardbourgh do for a living?
She is a professional coach and wellness consultant who runs AY & Associates, LLC.
What is Arnetta Yardbourgh’s net worth?
There is no verified figure. Online estimates of around $300,000 are unconfirmed.
Where does Arnetta Yardbourgh live?
She lives in Houston, Texas.
How old was Arnetta Yardbourgh when she had her daughter?
She was 24.
Who was Shaq’s first girlfriend?
Arnetta Yardbourgh is widely reported as one of his earliest serious girlfriends and the mother of his first child.
Is Arnetta Yardbourgh on Instagram?
She has had accounts before, but they appear inactive.
Did Shaq and Arnetta Yardbourgh stay friends?
They have reportedly kept a respectful co-parenting relationship.
