Star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, NeNe Leakes said that her husband Greg Leakes’s cancer changed her. The reality couple has been married for a total of twenty years, minus a two-year separation from 2011-2013.
The highest-paid star of the housewives franchise made her much-anticipated return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta in late November. The outspoken star discussed the trials of being her husband Gregg’s caretaker during his battle with stage 3 colon cancer. She noted that her husband wasn’t always in great spirits during his treatment and that sometimes the tension proved difficult for their marriage. Through it all, she admits that the experience was a growth opportunity.
NeNe said in the episode (via People), “I am definitely not the same NeNe as I was last year.” She revealed, “Before Gregg got diagnosed with cancer, we were already in a tough place. It was probably the worst thing we’ve been through.” The mother of two and self-professed “Glam-ma” to Bri’Asia isn’t exactly known for her Florence Nightingale ways. NeNe admitted on the show that she’s the type that buys pillows, not fluffs them. Throughout the seasons on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, NeNe has had her ups and downs with friends and family members alike. Her previous marital problems with Gregg led to the two divorcing in 2011, only to reunite and marry on-camera in their Real Housewives spinoff, I Dream of NeNe. Even though the end of season 11 left many fans to speculate if these two would make it another year with each other, they bounced back.
NeNe even told Bravo that she and her husband have been communicating more deeply. As for NeNe and Cynthia Bailey, they, too, have struggled. The women were thick as thieves early on in their friendship. Over the years, they’ve had arguments, especially after Bailey invited show villain Kenya Moore to her season 11 finale party. To deal with her myriad frustrations, NeNe has been working with a spiritual advisor to find peace and understanding in the midst of all these changes life has brought her way.
NeNe Leakes has always been a compelling figure on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Despite the fights, name-calling, and wig snatching, NeNe is a woman who is fiercely loyal and all about her family. An ailing loved one is never an easy topic of discussion, but she put her fears and discomfort aside to shed light on her family’s plight. Marriages can be difficult, but kudos to this couple for sticking with each other in sickness and in health. Colon cancer claims the lives of too many people and is particularly prevalent in the African American community. NeNe’s confession about her time helping Gregg is also positive because it will hopefully inspire other people to not only get themselves checked for the disease but will hopefully erase the stigma of cancer and encourage survivors and caretakers to discuss their mental and physical health more often.
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Source: People
