“It is a must”: Shaquille O'Neal’s ex Shaunie Henderson has all the keys to a successful marriage with Pastor Keion Henderson

Shaquille O'Neal’s ex, Shaunie Henderson is happily married to Pastor Keion Henderson. The couple, who lead Houston’s Lighthouse Church and Ministries, have built a strong foundation by prioritizing their relationship amidst their busy lives. In a recent chat with Madame Noire, Shaunie, and Keion shared intricate details of their marriage and how they keep their relationship afloat with certain key pointers.

As Pastor Keion Henderson explains, managing multiple responsibilities is essential. “We all have to manage multiple things,” he told Madame Noire. “You must manage yourself; if you have a significant other, you must manage that... Everybody has to be multi-faceted.”
Outside influences don’t define their marriage. “We recognize that the Internet is not our relationship. The church is not our relationship. People’s opinions, they are not our relationship. We met each other. We chose this journey together and did what we had to stay on the original ship. We don’t let water in the ship,” Keion explains, adding that constant communication and grace are key to their success.

Shaunie Henderson values advice from a trusted mentor who told her, “One of the things that I hold dear is that she says not to meet anyone’s expectations. Because once you meet one, there’ll be another one, and there’ll be another one after that, and you will never meet it and just be disappointing yourself and performing.”
Defining marriage on their terms is crucial to the Hendersons. “Just because I’m a pastor and just because she’s a First Lady, that doesn’t mean that your faith isn’t tested,” Keion shares. “My definition of marriage is the collision of two histories… And sometimes compatibility isn’t the outcome.” They believe that open communication is essential. “We try to have a designated day that we sit down and talk, but with our life, travel, and schedule, that day and time can change,” Shaunie added.
Knowing when to step away is another lesson they’ve learned in their marriage. “Our approach has been twofold. No. 1, communicate. No. 2, step away,” Keion reveals. “We’ll give each other some time to think about it and then come and talk.” Keion, author of Lazy Love: Recognizing and Reversing the 4 Threats to Any Successful Relationship, explains, “As I understand you, you understand me. I trust the outcomes that we both come away with… We always come together stronger than ever.”
Faith remains the core of their union. “It is a must,” Shaunie asserts. “As women, we need to feel safe, and once you feel safe, you’re OK with being vulnerable… Having a spiritual component in your marriage is another layer of safety.” Keion adds that faith offers reassurance, saying, “I want folks to feel like they are overcomers… that they can manage their children and their businesses and their relationships.”
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Shaunie was previously married to NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal. The former couple share four children together— sons Shareef and Shaqir, and daughters Amirah and Me'arah. The NBA Hall of Famer and Shaunie are co-parenting their kids and have been very supportive of them. Additionally, last year Shaunie shared that she and Shaq are currently on good terms. Shaunie ofetn share her moments with her husband on her social media giving fans glimpse of her happy life with Pastor Keion.