Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes’ husband Gregg Leakes has passed away at the age 66 following a long battle with colon cancer.
He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family, his publicist Ernest Dukes confirmed in a statement.
It read: “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.
“We ask that you pray for peace and strength over their family and allow them to mourn in private during this very very difficult time.”
Gregg and Nene had been open about his heath condition for several seasons of the reality tv show.
He was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer back in 2018, a tragic diagnosis NeNe had made public on season 11 of RHOA, to the rest of the cast’s shock.
The uphill battle seemingly improved through the following season of the popular reality tv show, airing on Bravo.
Nevertheless, despite entering a remission period following an exhausting chemotherapy treatment of six months, things took a turn for the worse last June when with NeNe confirmed that her husband – to whom she had been married for since 1997, then once again in 2013 – had seen his cancer return for a second time around.
Gregg leaves five children behind including 22-year-old son, Brentt, whom he shares with NeNe.
The heartbroken son shared the following message: “Spend time with your loved ones every chance you get.
“Time is so…valuable dog. I can’t express it. I’m learning the hard way watching my dad fight every day.
“Please go create memories with ya people.”
NeNe reportedly prepared for the passing of her husband, as she confessed while at a club called the Linnethia Lounge in Georgia last week, that Gregg “was transitioning to the other side.”
She said: “You don’t know what we’re dealing with right now.
“We walked in this lounge because we had to walk in this lounge because this is our business.
“So, when people approach and say, ‘You’re rude because you don’t want to say happy birthday,’ my husband is at home dying. I don’t want to say ‘Happy birthday,’ okay?”
The 53-year-old Glee actress has since posted a devastating picture on Instagram, sharing a simple word: “broken”.
Several Real Housewives from various franchises have commented in support, including Garcelle Beauvais, Monique Samuels, Gizelle Bryant and RHOA co star, Porsha Williams.
Other celebrities left their words of encouragement on the television star’s post, with rapper Nicki Minaj commented with a heart emoji.
R&B singer Brandy left several prayer hands emoji in the comment section while rapper Jessica Piece wrote: “You and your family are in our prayers.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
