Shaquille O’Neal has a magnetic audience whenever he discusses his wealth. Not Jeff Bezos’s or a Silicon Valley CEO’s guidance, but the NBA legend’s secret to a successful life—his lavish vehicle collection—was recently revealed. It was *annuities* that O’Neal said were the secret to his wealth.

“Annuities were completely new to me,” Shaq confessed. My elderly, rich friend advised me, ‘Shaq, you need to invest in annuities.’ “I had no idea what to do with all this money that was coming in from endorsements and commercials at the time.”Insatiably curious, Shaq researched annuity funds and uncovered a long-term investing strategy that would enable him to receive a steady payout beginning at age 50 and continuing into the future. Annuities were investments that O’Neal made “every year” while playing in the NBA, he said. My family and I am already financially secure, so I won’t be worried if tomorrow I lose all my money. Even without paying employment, I do not labor. I find joy in my work.

Annuities: what all the fuss is about?An annuity is a type of long-term investment plan in which the firm promises to pay you back a set amount at regular intervals from the future. For the former center of the Los Angeles Lakers, this was a turning point. “I am capable of stepping down from any position at any moment,” he declared boastfully.

Annuities are Shaq’s most dependable investment, even if he also made some major bets by putting money into firms like Google. “It wasn’t about fast profits,” he added. “It was about ensuring stability for me and my family.”Shaq values impact more than mere financial gain.The Big Fella’s recent endeavors demonstrate his dedication to making a positive impact, in addition to his successful financial techniques that have grown his bank account. Shaq took a page out of Bezos’s playbook and started investing in causes that had a positive impact on people’s lives. As Shaq put it, “the return will follow if you invest in things that improve people’s lives,” quoting the Amazon founder.

Campus, a business with the mission of expanding access to higher education, is one of O’Neal’s most recent investments. “This isn’t about profit,” he stressed. “Everyone should have access to world-class education.”

What makes Shaq so special as an icon in both sports and business is the way he combines astute financial planning with significant investments. Shaq demonstrates that success goes beyond financial gain; it is about creating a positive impact, whether via education or annuities.