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Home · Black Celeb Couples

NeNe Leakes' Husband Gregg Leakes Passes Away From Colon Cancer At Age 66

"Today the Leakes family is in deep pain with a broken heart."
NeNe Leakes’ Husband Gregg Leakes Passes Away From Colon Cancer At Age 66
Prince Williams/Wireimage
By Victoria Uwumarogie · Updated September 1, 2021

Gregg Leakes has passed away. His publicist, Ernest Dukes, shared the news on Wednesday (September 1).

“Gregg Leakes, most notably known for appearing alongside his wife, actress & TV personality NeNe Leakes on 12 seasons of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta, has passed away at the age of 66,” he said. Dukes also spoke on behalf of the Leakes family in a statement to MTONews.

“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.”

Gregg’s passing comes just days after NeNe spoke publicly about his health, telling patrons at The Linnethia Lounge in Duluth, Georgia that her husband was in the process of transitioning and was dying at home.

“You don’t know what we’re dealing with,” she said. “We walked up in the lounge because we have to because this is our business. So when people approach us saying ‘You’re rude’ because you don’t want to say happy birthday, my husband is at home dying. And I don’t want to say happy birthday, ok? So please, give us some respect. Give us some love. That’s what we ask of you. You see my son, he’s hurting, I’m hurting…my husband is losing his life at this very moment.”

Brentt shared his own message on Instagram (his page has since been deleted) soon after the appearance at the lounge.

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A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

Gregg’s Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis was made public in 2018 and while he and NeNe were still cast members of Real Housewives of Atlanta. His health crisis was a major test for the family and on the couple’s marriage. But in 2019, things seemed to be in a much better place, not only as Gregg was then free of cancer but also because their relationship was solid. But earlier this summer, NeNe stated that Gregg was back in the hospital after having surgery because his cancer returned.

In 2018, during an episode of RHOA, Gregg opened up about his take on life and death after he had to have emergency surgery to treat the cancer.

“I went over and I prayed to God. I told him, if it’s time, let’s go,” he said. I don’t fear death. I don’t want to go, but if my work is finished take care of them. Let’s go.”

Article continues after video.

Gregg leaves behind NeNe and their son, Brentt, as well as NeNe’s son Bryson from a previous relationship. Gregg also has five other children from before his relationship with NeNe in sons Daryl, Damian, Dexter, Denton, and daughter Katrina. He married NeNe in 1997. They divorced in 2011 but reunited, remarrying in 2013.

Below, ESSENCE looks back at the couple’s love through the years.

01
NeNe and Gregg Leakes Through The Years
WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE — Pictured (l-r): NeNe Leakes and Gregg Leakes
NeNe Leakes’ Husband Gregg Leakes Passes Away From Colon Cancer At Age 66
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
02
NBCUniversal’s 73rd Annual Golden Globes After Party – Arrivals
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 10: Television personality NeNe Leakes (L) and Gregg Leakes arrive at NBCUniversal’s 73rd Annual Golden Globes After Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
NeNe Leakes’ Husband Gregg Leakes Passes Away From Colon Cancer At Age 66
Photo by Amanda Edwards/WireImage
03
NeNe and Gregg Leakes Through The Years
I DREAM OF NENE: THE WEDDING — Pictured: (l-r) NeNe Leakes, Gregg Leakes
NeNe Leakes’ Husband Gregg Leakes Passes Away From Colon Cancer At Age 66
(Photo by: Wilford Harewood/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
04
NeNe and Gregg Leakes Through The Years
I DREAM OF NENE — “Wedding” — Pictured: (l-r) NeNe Leakes, Gregg Leakes
NeNe Leakes’ Husband Gregg Leakes Passes Away From Colon Cancer At Age 66
(Photo by: Wilford Harewood/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
05
NeNe and Gregg Leakes Through The Years
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 21: NeNe Leakes with her husband Gregg Leakes filming an episode of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ as she meets with designer William Ivey Long for her final ‘Cinderella’ Costume fitting at Euroco Costumes on November 21, 2014 in New York City.
NeNe Leakes’ Husband Gregg Leakes Passes Away From Colon Cancer At Age 66
Photo by Walter McBride/Getty Images
06
NeNe and Gregg Leakes Through The Years
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 05: NeNe Leakes and Gregg Leakes attend the Shop Your Way #RealPersonal event at Ink48 on February 5, 2014 in New York City.
NeNe Leakes’ Husband Gregg Leakes Passes Away From Colon Cancer At Age 66
Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Shop Your Way
TOPICS:  colon cancer gregg leakes NeNe Leakes

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