The Enduring Legacy Of Gregg Leakes: 5 Untold Facts About His Life, Final Days, And $4M Empire
The late Gregg Leakes, a charismatic figure and successful real estate investor who became a household name through his appearances on The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA), continues to be a profound presence in the lives of his family, especially his wife, NeNe Leakes. As of late December 2025, his legacy is one of enduring love, business savvy, and a courageous battle with colon cancer that resonated with millions of fans globally. His journey, marked by a dramatic on-screen romance and a quiet, dignified passing, cemented his status as one of the most beloved and respected figures in reality television.
Gregg's life was a testament to the power of second chances, both in business and in love, highlighted by his remarriage to NeNe after a brief divorce. While many knew him as NeNe’s supportive husband, a closer look at his life reveals a "self-taught" entrepreneur and a devoted patriarch whose final moments were a powerful display of family unity and faith. This article delves into the little-known details of his career, his extensive family, and the comforting final words he shared with his wife.
Gregg Leakes: Complete Biography and Profile
Gregg Leakes was a prominent American real estate investor, consultant, and reality television personality whose life spanned over six decades of entrepreneurial success and family dedication. His public profile was largely defined by his tumultuous yet loving 24-year relationship with *RHOA* star NeNe Leakes and his inspirational fight against a devastating illness.
- Full Name: Gregory Leakes
- Date of Birth: August 18, 1954
- Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, USA
- Date of Death: September 1, 2021
- Age at Death: 66 years old
- Cause of Death: Stage III Colon Cancer
- Occupation: Real Estate Investor, Consultant, Entrepreneur, Reality Television Personality
- Spouse: NeNe Leakes (m. 1997; div. 2011; rem. 2013)
- Children (6 total): Brentt Leakes (with NeNe Leakes), and five children from previous relationships: twin sons Damien Leakes and Daryl Leakes, Dexter Leakes, and two other children.
- Net Worth at Time of Death: Approximately $4 million
- Notable Appearances: *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* (RHOA), *The New Normal*, *Glee*
The Untold Story of Gregg’s $4 Million Real Estate Empire
Before the cameras of *RHOA* turned him into a reality star, Gregg Leakes had already built a significant and quiet fortune as a seasoned real estate investor and consultant. His business acumen was the foundation of his wealth, estimated at approximately $4 million at the time of his passing in 2021.
A Self-Taught Entrepreneur with Decades of Experience
Gregg was often described as a "self-taught" entrepreneur, a term that speaks to his dedication and over 20 years of experience navigating the complexities of the real estate market in the United States. Unlike some of his reality television peers, Gregg's wealth was genuinely rooted in tangible assets and strategic investments. His work involved buying, selling, and consulting on various properties, which provided a stable financial base for his family long before NeNe’s rise to fame.
He was known for being a "smart real estate investor," utilizing his financial savvy to make strategic property acquisitions. While the specifics of his companies were kept private, his success was evident in the affluent lifestyle he and NeNe shared, including their Mediterranean-style Georgia mansion, which NeNe later sold following his death.
Gregg’s business background provided a crucial balance to NeNe's theatrical career. He was the grounding force, the pragmatic partner whose financial stability allowed NeNe to pursue her ambitions in television, acting, and the fashion world. His professional life as an investor was a key entity that gave him a powerful voice and presence on *RHOA*, often serving as the calm, reasoned counterpoint to the show’s high drama.
His Final Days: The Powerful Last Words That Comforted NeNe
Gregg Leakes’s four-year battle with Stage III Colon Cancer was a central, heartbreaking storyline on *RHOA*, turning a reality show into a platform for cancer awareness and a raw look at marriage under immense stress. His final days, however, were characterized not by pain, but by profound peace and an overwhelming sense of family unity.
A Peaceful Transition Surrounded by All Six Children
Gregg passed away peacefully at his Atlanta home on September 1, 2021, at the age of 66. In a deeply moving testament to his role as a patriarch, he was surrounded by his entire family, including his wife NeNe, his son with NeNe, Brentt Leakes, and all five of his children from previous relationships. NeNe described the final five days before his passing as "really beautiful," a time where his best friends and closest loved ones gathered to support him.
This period of gathering was a powerful entity in Gregg’s story, showing that despite the public nature of his life, his private world was firmly centered on his large, blended family. The presence of all his children—including his twin sons Damien and Daryl, and son Dexter—underscored the depth of his commitment to fatherhood across his life.
The Prophetic Final Message to His Wife
Perhaps the most enduring detail of Gregg’s final moments were the last words he shared with NeNe, a message that has since become a source of strength and comfort for her. As she recounted, Gregg’s final words were a blessing and a promise that transcended his physical presence: "I'm not going to leave you. God is going to bless you."
This message was a classic example of Gregg's unwavering faith and his role as a spiritual anchor for NeNe. It provided her with a sense of closure and a belief that she would be taken care of, allowing her to face life as a widow with a sense of purpose. NeNe continues to honor his memory, often sharing tributes and reflections on his birthday and the anniversary of his passing, keeping his legacy of courage and love alive for his fans and family.
The Enduring Legacy in Late 2025: NeNe's Path Forward
More than four years after his death, Gregg Leakes’s influence on the reality TV landscape and on NeNe’s life remains undeniable. The couple’s complex, on-again, off-again, and ultimately enduring love story is considered one of the most compelling narratives in the history of *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* (RHOA).
In December 2025, NeNe Leakes continues to navigate her "new normal" as a single woman, often sharing candidly about the pain of her loss, especially around significant milestones like Father's Day and the anniversary of his passing. Her continued public mourning is a powerful entity that keeps Gregg's name in the cultural conversation, turning his memory into a symbol of a love that was truly "for better or for worse."
The lessons from Gregg’s life—his business success as a real estate investor, his role as a father to six children, and his graceful acceptance of his battle with colon cancer—have cemented his place as more than just a supporting cast member. He was a force of stability, humor, and wisdom, and his legacy continues to inspire those who witnessed his life both on and off the screen.
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