Who Is Arnetta Yardbourgh? Meet Shaq’s First Love and Hidden Success Story

Have you ever heard of Arnetta Yardbourgh? She may not be a big name on TV, but her life is full of interesting things. Many people know her as the first love of NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, but there’s so much more to her story.

In this article, we’ll talk about who Arnetta Yardbourgh really is. You’ll learn about her early life, her time with Shaq, how she raised their daughter, and how she built her own business. She stayed quiet for years, but her journey is powerful and inspiring.

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
Zodiac Sign	Sagittarius
Religion	Christianity
Height	5 ft 8 in (180 cm)
Weight	121 lbs (55 kg)
Relationship Status	Single
Ex-Partner	Shaquille O’Neal
Children	1 (Taahirah O’Neal)
Education	BA, MLA, Doctorate in Psychology
Profession	Life coach, businesswoman
Company	AY & Associates, LLC
Net Worth (2026)	Around $300,000
Social Media	Private / Not active
Lives In	Houston, Texas

Early Life of Arnetta Yardbourgh

Arnetta Yardbourgh was born on December 10, 1971, in Houston, Texas. That’s where she grew up and where she still lives today. She’s a proud American with African-American roots and comes from a strong and smart family.

She has a sister named Kinika Richardson, who worked in the airline industry. Their mother, Cheryl Richardson, is a health educator and hairstylist. So you can see—Arnetta comes from a hardworking home.

Even as a young girl, Arnetta was curious, kind, and full of ideas. She always had a strong mind and a soft heart—something that stayed with her all her life.

Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Education Journey

Arnetta’s path in school was long and full of success. She went to Judson High School in San Antonio, where she finished in 1990. After that, she attended Schreiner University and studied Liberal Arts and General Studies.

Then, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from the University of Houston. She didn’t stop there—Arnetta later studied Humanities at Houston Christian University and finished with a Doctorate in Psychology from Walden University in 2014.

She also became a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC). That’s a special kind of training that helps her guide others through life and business. Arnetta clearly loves learning, and she used her education to help others.

When Arnetta Yardbourgh Met Shaquille O’Neal

Arnetta and Shaquille O’Neal started dating in the early 1990s. Some people say they were high school sweethearts. Their relationship began before Shaq became a big NBA star.

She was right beside him when he was drafted into the NBA in 1992. That was a big moment, and Arnetta supported him all the way. They were a known couple at the time, but they still kept things pretty private.

Even though she was with one of the most famous athletes in the world, Arnetta didn’t chase the spotlight. She focused on being calm, classy, and supportive during that wild time in Shaq’s early career.

The Truth About Arnetta Yardbourgh and Shaq’s Relationship

Arnetta and Shaquille dated for about four years, from 1992 to early 1996. They were never married, but they shared a deep connection. Sadly, they broke up just before their daughter was born.

Even after the split, there was no drama. Arnetta and Shaq stayed on good terms, especially for the sake of their child. Shaq himself said in an interview that he will always love and protect the women who gave him his kids.

Their story may not have ended in marriage, but it’s a real story—full of respect, support, and love for their daughter.

Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Daughter with Shaq

In July 1996, Arnetta gave birth to a baby girl named Taahirah O’Neal. Taahirah is Shaq’s oldest child, and Arnetta raised her mostly on her own in Houston.

Shaq suggested that Arnetta move there so they could avoid unwanted attention in Orlando. He helped support Taahirah financially while Arnetta had full custody.

Arnetta focused on being the best mom she could be. She raised her daughter with love, discipline, and strong values. Even now, Taahirah calls her mom “the life of the party” and says she’s proud to be her daughter.

Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Career and Business Life

After becoming a mom, Arnetta didn’t stop growing. She used her education and skills to build a strong and meaningful career. In 2010, she founded her own business called AY & Associates, LLC.

Her company helps people through life coaching, business coaching, and wellness programs. She works with small business owners, women leaders, and companies that want to build better workplaces.

Before that, she worked in many helpful roles—from wellness consultant to greeting card publisher to basketball team president. Yes, she was even the president of a semi-pro men’s basketball team!

What Arnetta Yardbourgh Does for a Living Today

Today, Arnetta Yardbourgh still runs her business, AY & Associates, LLC. She works as a professional coach and wellness consultant, helping people grow in life, work, and health.

She offers personal coaching, business advice, and wellness plans for individuals and small companies. Her work focuses on mindfulness, confidence, and building a strong mindset. Many people go to her when they need guidance and support.

Arnetta is also part of FemCity, a group that helps women connect and grow in business. She became the Houston Chapter President in 2015 and worked to bring women together to share ideas, support, and growth.

Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Quiet and Private Lifestyle

Even with her success, Arnetta Yardbourgh chooses to live a very private life. She’s not active on personal social media, and her business pages haven’t been updated recently.

She likes peace and quiet. She doesn’t chase attention or fame. Arnetta enjoys working behind the scenes and helping others succeed.

Many people respect her for that. She has shown that you don’t have to be in the spotlight to live a good life. You can still make a big difference while keeping things calm and simple.

Where Is Arnetta Yardbourgh Now?

As of 2026, Arnetta Yardbourgh is living in Houston, Texas. She is still working as a coach and consultant and enjoys spending time with her daughter, Taahirah O’Neal.

She sometimes attends family events or special moments with her daughter. In 2014, for example, she joined Shaquille O’Neal and Taahirah at the All-Star Comedy Jam, which brought family and friends together.

Even though she’s not in the public eye, Arnetta continues to grow as a person, as a businesswoman, and as a mother. She has built a peaceful and strong life for herself.

Arnetta Yardbourgh’s Net Worth and Income

Arnetta Yardbourgh’s net worth is estimated to be around $300,000 as of 2026. She makes money from her business, coaching sessions, and past roles in wellness and consulting.

She may not have huge fame or fortune, but Arnetta has financial independence. She built her own path and proved that success can come in quiet ways.

Her business, her experience, and her smart education have helped her live a comfortable and balanced life.

Facts About Arnetta Yardbourgh That May Surprise You

Here are a few fun and surprising facts about Arnetta Yardbourgh:

She played volleyball in college as a middle blocker
She used to run a men’s basketball team as president
Her sister worked in airlines, and her mom is a health educator
She holds many coaching certificates, including crisis support
She loves sports, even though her daughter doesn’t

One of the sweetest facts? Her daughter, Taahirah, often posts warm messages about her. On Mother’s Day, she once wrote: “I love you Mommy 🤎✨ @arnettayardbourgh”

Final Thoughts

Arnetta Yardbourgh may be best known as Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-girlfriend, but she is much more than that. She is a strong mother, a smart businesswoman, and a kind soul who chose peace over fame.

She raised a bright and confident daughter, stayed close to her family, and used her education to help others grow. Even after going through public attention, she stayed calm and focused on her own goals.

In the end, Arnetta Yardbourgh shows us that you don’t need to be loud to be powerful. Her quiet success story is something many people can look up to.

(FAQs)

Does Arnetta Yardbourgh have more kids besides Shaq’s daughter?

No! Arnetta has only one child, Taahirah O’Neal, with Shaquille O’Neal. She never had more kids.

Is Arnetta Yardbourgh active on Instagram?

Surprisingly, no. Arnetta keeps her life private and doesn’t use a personal Instagram account. Her business page hasn’t been updated in years!

Did Arnetta Yardbourgh ever marry Shaquille O’Neal?

No! Even though they dated for four years, they never got married. Their daughter was born six months after they broke up.

Who are Arnetta Yardbourgh’s parents?

Her mother is Cheryl Richardson, a health educator and master stylist. Arnetta also has a sister named Kinika, who worked in airlines. But her father’s identity is not known publicly.