The Untold Truth Of Gregg Leakes

Fans of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" were devastated when it was announced that Gregg Leakes, the husband of reality star NeNe Leakes, had died at age 66 on September 1, 2021. His colon cancer had returned that June, as NeNe revealed in an interview with The Jasmine Brand, which meant that Gregg had to be hospitalized following a "difficult" surgery. By late August, a video of the Bravo star addressing a crowd about Gregg's health was shared online, showing NeNe admitting that her husband was "transitioning to the other side." Around this time, she simply posted the word "Broken" on her Instagram account, accompanied by prayer hands and heartbroken emojis.

As the Bravo website notes, Gregg was an Atlanta native, who was "born and raised" in Georgia. Once the businessman appeared on screen in "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," he quickly won over viewers with his level-headed personality and charmed his fellow co-stars, who reunited to honor Gregg's memory following his death, per ET. 

Keep reading to find out more about Gregg Leakes and his remarkable life.

Gregg Leakes will be remembered by his legions of fans as a staple of "The Real Housewives" franchise — but more importantly, he was also a husband and a family man.

When he first encountered NeNe Leakes, Gregg already had five children from a previous marriage, according to Us Weekly: four sons called Daryl, Damian, Dexter, and Denton, as well as one daughter named Katrina. Although they have sometimes clashed with their stepmother on camera, Gregg insisted in a blog post for Bravo that at the end of the day, they were a family. "NeNe loves my children, and truth be known, my children, all 5 of them, have nothing but love for her," he claimed. While blending their separate families could be complicated at times, since NeNe also already had a son called Bryson, Gregg wrote that it was his responsibility to "get all this love floating around in the air to descend on each of us." 

For her part, NeNe acknowledged that "divorce is hard on everyone in the situation" in her own blog post. "The way Gregg and his ex-wife chose to divorce and be bitter with each other produced hurt children," she noted.

Speaking about his first wife on "Bethenny," Gregg admitted that the divorce was his fault, declaring, "If I would have listened, I would have never had to go through it."

Years before they became a power couple on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," NeNe Leakes was being won over by Gregg Leakes. "I could just really roll with Gregg on a conversation with him and everything," she observed to Essence, adding that Gregg was "really into" her, "because we were talking on the same level, really, at the end of the day." That connection led to the couple growing closer and eventually tying the knot in 1997.

Footage of their first wedding, which showed NeNe happily kissing her new husband, emerged in 2013. "I am the most happy man in the world — happiest, rather — to have a beautiful wife like NeNe," Gregg insisted in the video, which was published by The Daily Dish. "I love her with all my heart. I look forward to making her happy the rest of my life." The couple combined their families, as they both already had kids, and went on to have one son together.

Brentt Leakes was born in 1999, as NeNe noted while celebrating his birthday on Instagram. "A king entered the world on this date after a full day of labor and changed my life forever!" the proud mother wrote in part in February 2020.

After Gregg Leakes was caught on tape discussing his marriage and the $300,000 that he wanted back from NeNe Leakes, the couple were torn apart.

As People reported, NeNe spoke about their impending divorce for the first time in an episode of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." Although she hinted that she wanted it to be "a wake-up call for Gregg" rather than a permanent change, the radio conversation ultimately pushed the reality star too far. "I stood by you when you have done me wrong as your wife but you want to make other people think that I have done you wrong. I have never done you wrong," NeNe insisted, declaring that the couple had "lost loyalty and trust."

She later described that period as "a bumpy road" in an episode of TV One's "Uncensored," reflecting on the reasons for their rift. "I think a lot of people were surprised when I filed for divorce," NeNe commented, revealing that she decided to file in 2010 because in her opinion, Gregg "wasn't treating" her right: "It was me teaching Gregg a lesson, and I think he got it."

Many people paid tribute to Gregg Leakes and reflected on what he brought to reality TV in the wake of his tragic death — including his former co-star on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," Cynthia Bailey, who tweeted that they had shared "so many good times & so many amazing memories," alongside a picture of the two. "Gregg was always so loving, funny & kind. So blessed to have had him in my life," Bailey wrote, sending her "heartfelt condolences" to NeNe Leakes and their family. "Thinking of you & my heart and prayers are with you," she added.

Executive producer Andy Cohen also paid tribute to Gregg, reflecting on his down-to-earth and practical personality. "I jokingly called him 'Pastor Leakes' but in truth he was a strong voice of reason & commanded great respect among the entire #RHOA team," the "Watch What Happens Live" host reflected on Twitter, adding that he was "heartbroken" by the death of a "wonderful" husband and father. "I am sending love and strength to @neneleakes & the entire Leakes family," Cohen continued.

While they kept shooting "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," Gregg Leakes and NeNe Leakes were open about how his cancer had taken a toll on their marriage. In November 2018, she admitted that it had been "a big transition" for the whole family in an interview with People. "Our lives just changed that day. Our whole routine changed. Just ... everything changed. I don't have cancer. Gregg has cancer. But I feel like our whole house has cancer."

NeNe went on to clarify that he was a "changed person," and that Gregg's "attitude" had entirely shifted. "I feel like that day I lost my husband. Our whole dynamic changed," she revealed. "Sometimes I forget that he's sick and I need to remind myself because he's so on edge. He's not nice, but he can't help it." The tension between the couple could be seen on screen and led to some criticism of how NeNe was acting as a caregiver. However, Gregg made it clear that he didn't need anyone coming to his defense against his wife.

"This woman right here has put a mountain on her back and carried it with grace. She's given so much of herself," he told online critics in part in a December 2018 Instagram post, adding, "So what she hit a wall and her cup run over! Pray for her, encourage her, lift her up. What good is tearing down gonna do?"

In his last days, Gregg Leakes was at home in Georgia, as Ernest Dukes — the reality TV star's family friend and publicist — told People in September 2021. "Today the Leakes family is in deep pain with a broken heart. After a long battle with cancer, Gregg Leakes has passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by all of his children, very close loved ones and wife Nene Leakes," Dukes announced, asking the public to "pray for peace and strength over their family" and give them privacy to process their grief "during this very very difficult time."

Gregg and NeNe Leaks' son, Brentt, also urged fans to learn from their family's tragedy. "Spend time with your loved ones every chance you get," he wrote in an emotional Instagram Story, which was reposted by The Shade Room. "Time is so ... valuable dog. I can't express it. I'm learning the hard way watching my dad fight every day." He concluded by telling his followers to "go create memories with ya people."

For her part, NeNe remembered her husband by posting memories of happier days on Instagram, writing, "Today we celebrate you Gregg with love, just the way you wanted it."