Becoming a billionaire isn’t easy, but listening to one might bring you closer to the goal. That’s exactly what former American basketball star Shaquille O’Neal did, and he couldn’t be happier with his decision. The 7-footer, who won four NBA championships and was a 15-time NBA All-Star, is as accomplished in business as he was on the court. Interestingly, he credits some of his financial success to another world-renowned tech tycoon, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
At 52, O’Neal follows an investment strategy that aligns with his values, a lesson he picked up from Bezos. The father of six shared that his wealth skyrocketed once he adopted the Amazon founder’s approach to investing. In 2019, he told The Wall Street Journal, “I heard Jeff Bezos say one time [that] he makes his investments based on if it’s going to change people’s lives. Once I started doing that strategy, I think I probably quadrupled what I’m worth.”
One of O’Neal’s most lucrative moves was investing early in Google before its IPO, a decision that paid off massively. He also became a major franchise owner of Five Guys, holding 10% of its franchises owning 155 locations at one point. Another connection to the world’s third-richest man, worth $220 billion, is his investment in Ring, the smart home security company known for its video doorbells and security cameras. Founded in 2013, Ring was acquired by Amazon in 2018 for $1 billion, making it one of the biggest home security deals in tech history, according to Yahoo Finance.
Since then, Ring has been integrated into Amazon’s Alexa ecosystem, expanding its product line and becoming a major player in home security. The investment in Ring turned out to be one of O’Neal’s most lucrative deals, solidifying his reputation as a savvy businessman beyond basketball.
His track record as an investor is nearly flawless, with several high-return decisions. He bought Krispy Kreme franchises, including a historic location in Atlanta, Georgia, which has been operating for over 60 years. O’Neal’s love for the brand runs deep, so much so that he became its global brand ambassador and publicly declared his goal of owning 100 Krispy Kreme locations to show his Shaq-sized love for doughnuts.
In addition to Google and Ring, Shaq and Bezos have both invested in Uber, another company that turned into a billion-dollar success. As of February 2025, Celebrity Net Worth estimates his net worth at $500 million. Clearly, O’Neal made a slam dunk by listening to Bezos’ advice, as his wealth and business empire prove!
