NeNe Leakes Shares Heartbreaking Update About Husband Gregg
Few things test a marriage like the sickness of a loved one, which is unfortunately something to which "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star NeNe Leakes can relate. The reality TV personality first revealed her husband Gregg Leakes' cancer diagnosis in an Instagram post in 2018, and her spouse's treatment was further documented throughout Season 11 of "Real Housewives of Atlanta." In January 2019, NeNe opened up about how difficult the care-taking experience had been, telling People how "it's very, very hard to be a caretaker." She continued, "I'm going crazy over here, Gregg is wearing me out! I am not good at this ... I would rather hire somebody."
NeNe's obvious pain even prompted Gregg to issue an apology to his wife, after the star said she "had been mistreated while caring for him during his cancer battle" on an episode of the show (via People). "We always hurt the ones we love ... because they allow us to hurt them rather than snap back," Gregg captioned an Instagram post of his wife. "I'm tired of hurting my wife, who is only trying to take good care of me and wants only the best for me too. She deserves much more for her hard efforts and tireless hours spent on me." Understandably, it's been a rocky time for the pair — and things may be getting even worse after NeNe took to Instagram to share a devastating development in Gregg's cancer status on June 28.
Gregg Leakes' cancer has returned
In an Instagram Live with The Jasmine Brand, NeNe Leakes didn't shy away from a painful topic when asked about her husband's stage 3 colon cancer (via People). "He's been in the hospital for a week, tomorrow," NeNe explained, adding that Gregg Leakes' cancer had returned. "I'm sure he'll be home in about a week or so. He had to have surgery." It's never easy to watch a loved one struggle, and this seems especially true for NeNe, who admitted to the outlet that this is the first time she's publicly shared an update on Gregg's condition.
"It's difficult," she continued. "He's super small. If you've ever been around somebody who's had cancer before, he's different." This seems to echo Gregg's Instagram post, in which he wrote that "cancer will change your life." Per Just Jared, Nene left "Real Housewives of Atlanta" in 2020 following some behind-the-scenes struggles over contract negotiations — and perhaps this is a blessing in disguise, as it now gives her more time to spend with her ailing husband. No doubt fans are wishing Gregg a speedy recovery and sending NeNe love during this trying time.
Gregg Leakes was cancer-free in 2019
NeNe and Gregg Leakes received positive news in May 2019 when they found out he was in remission after completing chemotherapy treatment. At the time, the "Real Housewives" star took to Instagram to celebrate the momentous occasion, sharing a photo of her husband holding a sign that read, "No cancer found! Praise God..." She also included a caption: "Look at God! We are over joyed to say, we saw the doctors for the results of Gregg's Pet Scan he took last week! Test show, wait for It.....WE ARE CANCER FREE!!! Yes God!" She also jokingly added, "Now I can go give Gregg a black eye since so many thinks he's abused."
Sadly, the remission wasn't permanent and Gregg's battle isn't over. This also means that NeNe will once again have to put on a brave face as she stands by his side. Let's take a look back at what the reality star previously said about how Gregg's diagnosis affected their relationship.
His cancer diagnosis strained his marriage to Nene
Though NeNe and Gregg Leakes divorced in 2011 after nearly 15 years of marriage, they remarried in 2013. However, the reality star said she considered leaving her husband after his cancer diagnosis. "I can't tell you anything that I'm going to do," she said during "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" reunion in 2019 (via People). I feel like I have been pushed up against a wall and I'm coming out as 'no.'" She added, "Anything is possible, we just have to see."
NeNe went on to reveal that his cancer put a "strain" on them as a couple. "Gregg is not a walk in the park. Not even if he didn't have cancer, he is not a walk in the park," she said. "Our relationship is not great." Gregg's diagnosis might have also been the only thing keeping them together. "It would be easy to make a decision about divorcing Gregg if he didn't have cancer," NeNe said, hinting that she's thought of leaving him. "I don't want to live my life unhappy."
Ultimately, NeNe did not leave Gregg after he went into remission — and it doesn't seem like she plans to do that now that his cancer is back.