Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq’s on his 5th college degree—and tells Gen Z that AI can’t replace sitting across people smarter than you

Shaq O'Neal, the former NBA star and current billionaire, has completed his fifth college degree at the age of 54. Despite his $500 million net worth, O'Neal remains a lifelong learner, emphasizing the importance of education. He holds a bachelor's, MBA, Ed.D., and master's degree in liberal arts from LSU, and he is currently pursuing a master's in criminology at Sacramento State University.

O'Neal's mother instilled in him the value of education, and he continues to challenge himself with new knowledge. O'Neal encourages Gen Z to "show up" and embrace real-world experiences, as AI cannot replace the value of face-to-face interactions with more knowledgeable individuals. He has also worked with various police departments and became an honorary FBI special agent.

O'Neal sees college as a valuable opportunity to learn broader lessons beyond textbooks, such as discipline and working with diverse groups. Shaq's story is not unique; other successful individuals like Stephen Curry and Oprah Winfrey have returned to college to achieve their goals.