“The kitchen because I like to eat and the bedroom because I like to sleep”

Shaquille O'Neal will no longer own his massive Orlando mansion as of 2024, but the story behind it reveals a lot about the NBA legend's personal life.

During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2018, Shaquille O'Neal shared a surprising fact about his 76,000-square-foot mansion — he only used two rooms. “The kitchen because I like to eat and the bedroom because I like to sleep,” he joked, giving a glimpse into his surprisingly simple lifestyle despite the enormous size of his house.

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Curious, DeGeneres asked, “What about the living room or a study?” Shaq shook his head. “No, I never go to the theater, never go to the gym,” he admitted, leaving much of the house untouched.

DeGeneres then asked Shaq how many bathrooms there were in his house, to which he casually replied, “I think 15.” DeGeneres joked, “You know you're supposed to flush the toilets and run the water once a week so it doesn't stink.” Shaq laughed and admitted, “I never knew that.” DeGeneres playfully suggested that his housekeeper take care of it, to which Shaq replied with a grin, “I don't have a housekeeper; I'll clean it myself.” The audience cheered before he quickly added, “Just acting,” which drew even more laughter.

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The exchange showcased Shaq's ability to balance humor with insight into his life, showing that despite all the luxuries, he keeps things light-hearted and down-to-earth.

The Windermere, Florida, mansion was full of extravagant features, including a 17-car showroom, cigar room, wine cellar, custom theater and even a Miami Heat-style basketball court. However, Shaq admitted during a podcast interview that the house didn't always bring him happiness. He spoke about feeling lonely in the villa after his divorce from his ex-wife Shaunie Nelson. “I built this house for her,” he shared. “But after the divorce, I came home to a 7,000-square-foot house with no one in it but me. That was the worst.”

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Shaq purchased the property back in 1993 for around $3.95 million. After nearly three decades, it proved difficult to sell. In 2018, the mansion was originally listed for $28 million, but after struggling to find a buyer, he had to lower the price several times. By January 2019, the price dropped to $22 million and later to $16.5 million after making some updates and changing real estate agents.

Despite the updates and price drops, Shaq's mansion remained on the market for a while. In January 2021, he thought he had a buyer, but the deal fell through. Eventually, the villa was sold to a dentist in October 2021 for $11 million – well below the original asking price. Shaq later admitted, “I'm really sorry I sold it,” but didn't elaborate further on the loss.

Although it is no longer his residence, the story of Shaq's mansion shows that even celebrities with great fortunes and huge homes can feel the burden of isolation. Despite the luxury, sometimes you need two rooms to live in – and the people who matter most to you to share them.

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This article: NBA legend Shaq only used 2 rooms in his 76,000 square foot mansion. Mansion: The Kitchen Because I Like to Eat and the Bedroom Because I Like to Sleep originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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