NeNe Leakes Opens Up About Late Husband Gregg Leakes' Last Words To Her

NeNe Leakes Opens Up About Late Husband Gregg Leakes' Last Words

Home / Stars / NeNe Leakes Opens Up About Late Husband Gregg Leakes' Last Words

By Fiyin Olowokandi on September 30, 2021 at 4:45 AM EDT

NeNe Leakes got candid about her final moments with her late husband Gregg Leakes, who had been battling cancer.

The TV personality opened up to PEOPLE about finding solace in the conversations she shared with the late businessman, days before his passing on September 1.

The pair were married for 25 years. They were wed in 1997, divorced in 2011, and remarried in 2013.

Article continues below advertisement

His Final words

The "Glee" star spoke about the special moments before the death of the late businessman:

"The last five days before his passing was really beautiful. All of his children were there. His best friends were there. Our closest friends were there. We all sat with him around the clock."

The actress said they "talked a lot" and "made peace with what was happening."

The businessman passed away in their Atlanta home at the age of 66, after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

Despite the crushing loss, NeNe found comfort in a few of her partner's last words to her:

"I'm not going to leave you. God is going to bless you."

The "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star added that Gregg "wanted me to move on with my life." Though doing so was not easy.

Article continues below advertisement

His Four-Year Battle

The "To Tell The Truth" star took on the role of caretaker following her partner's cancer diagnosis in 2018 and when it resurfaced in June, after two years in remission.

NeNe also spoke about the "difficult" time, explaining that Gregg handled many things in their life. 

The 53-year-old said there were a lot of "simple things" she did not know, such as "who the lawn guy was."

The businessman told her to go into his office where she would find "an envelope taped to the wall." The envelope read, "Open this if anything ever happens to me."

Upon doing so, the reality star discovered a letter to their 23-year-old son Brentt, account information, and other details "that took a lot of strength" to provide.

Article continues below advertisement
NeNe Leakes Opens Up About Late Husband Gregg Leakes' Last Words To Her
MEGA
Article continues below advertisement
NeNe Leakes Opens Up About Late Husband Gregg Leakes' Last Words To Her
MEGA
Article continues below advertisement

As Gregg took his final breaths, his loving wife was by his side, holding his hand. The unafraid presenter "just held him and kissed him."

Pushing Through The Pain

Earlier this month, The Blast reported that the former "Fashion Police" critic kept her head up high as she came to terms with her beloved husband's passing. 

On Thursday, September 16, NeNe updated fans on her Instagram story about how she has been struggling with her loss. The TV personality also showed off her new blonde look.

The reality star turned things up a notch with an almost unrecognizable wavy blonde weave with perfectly laid edges which she debuted in a series of Instagram story videos.

The Bravo icon explained that she switched from her trademark black hair to cope with her loss.

NeNe told PEOPLE she is trying to adjust to her "new normal" without Gregg, though a part of her is "still waiting for him to come home."

Article continues below advertisement