Nene Leakes: A Glittering Life In The Spotlight

What is Nene Leakes' Net Worth?

Let’s get straight to the point—Nene Leakes is not just another reality TV star. This powerhouse of a woman has built a net worth of $14 million, and she earned every penny of it. Before she exited “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” in 2015, NeNe was raking in $1 million per season. That’s right, folks—she was the highest-paid housewife on Bravo, and she did it with style and sass. But her success isn’t limited to reality TV. Nene has carved out a career that spans acting, authorship, fashion design, and entrepreneurship, proving that she’s much more than just a face on the screen.

Her career extends far beyond the world of reality television. Nene competed on “The Celebrity Apprentice 4” back in 2011, showing off her business acumen. She also dazzled audiences on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2014, where she paired up with the charming Tony Dovolani. Her acting credits include recurring roles on hit shows like “Glee” and “The New Normal,” showcasing her versatility and talent. And let’s not forget her entrepreneurial ventures, including the Nene Leakes Collection for HSN, a line that reflects her bold and vibrant personality. Oh, and she even penned a memoir, “Never Make the Same Mistake Twice,” offering a candid look into her life and lessons learned.

Early Life

NeNe Leakes, born Linnethia Monique Johnson, grew up in Queens, New York, on December 13, 1967. She’s one of five siblings, but her childhood wasn’t without its challenges. At a young age, Nene and one of her brothers were sent to live with an aunt in Athens, Georgia, because her mother couldn’t care for all five children at once. Her three other siblings stayed behind in Queens. Despite these early difficulties, NeNe found her passion early on. At just 16 years old, she started modeling, a career she pursued throughout high school and college. She graduated from Clarke Central High School in Athens and even attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta for two years, laying the groundwork for the incredible journey ahead of her.

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Career

Breaking into Reality TV

Nene Leakes first stepped into the limelight in 2008 when she joined “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Her sharp wit and unfiltered personality quickly made her a fan favorite. Over seven seasons, she became a household name, and her time on the show inspired her to write an autobiography, “Never Make the Same Mistake Twice,” co-authored with Denene Millner. This book wasn’t just a memoir—it was a deep dive into her life, from her childhood struggles to her rise in the entertainment world. But NeNe wasn’t done making waves. In 2015, she announced she wouldn’t be returning for the eighth season, though she did make a cameo appearance. She eventually returned for the show’s 10th season, proving that her connection to the franchise was far from over.

Expanding Her Horizons

NeNe’s talents extend far beyond reality TV. She competed on “The Celebrity Apprentice,” where she famously walked off the show during a particularly dramatic episode, fed up with the tension between her and fellow contestant Star Jones. Her charisma landed her appearances on a variety of popular shows, including “Ellen,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “VH1 Divas Live 2009,” and “The Bonnie Hunt Show.” She also lent her talents to scripted television, appearing on “The New Normal” and “Glee,” where she brought her unique flair to the screen. In 2014, she launched the Nene Leakes Collection for HSN, a clothing line that speaks to her bold and dynamic personality.

NeNe didn’t stop there. She guest-hosted shows like “Anderson Live” and “The Talk,” further cementing her place in the entertainment world. She even competed on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2014, where she dazzled audiences with her partner, Tony Dovolani, before being eliminated in the seventh week. But her entrepreneurial spirit didn’t end with fashion. From April to December 2016, she embarked on a one-woman comedy tour called “So Nasty, So Rude,” inspired by one of her famous catchphrases. She also opened SWAGG Boutique locations in Duluth, Georgia, Maryland, and Miami Beach, before opening the Linnethia Lounge in Duluth in 2021, a space that featured performances by singers like KeKe Wyatt and Tamar Braxton.

Personal Life

NeNe’s personal life has been as dramatic and fulfilling as her career. She married Gregg Leakes in 1997, and together they had two sons, Brentt and Brice. But life took a tragic turn in September 2021 when Gregg passed away at the age of 66 after battling colon cancer. Gregg, a real estate investor, had five children from a previous relationship: twins Damien and Daryl, Katrina, Dexter, and Denton. Their marriage wasn’t without its ups and downs. In season three of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” NeNe made the difficult decision to file for divorce, and their split was finalized in 2011. However, love found them again, and they rekindled their romance, eventually re-engaging in January 2013. They remarried on June 22, 2013, in a lavish ceremony at the InterContinental Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta. Bravo even documented their wedding planning and ceremony in a spin-off titled “I Dream of Nene: The Wedding.” More recently, NeNe’s relationship with Nyonisela Sioh came to an end after over a year together.

Salary Highlights

At the height of her reality TV career, NeNe Leakes commanded a salary of $1 million per season of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” That’s right—she was the highest-paid housewife on Bravo, and she earned it with her larger-than-life personality and unmatched charisma. Her financial success is a testament to her hard work and dedication to her craft.

Real Estate

NeNe’s real estate portfolio is as impressive as her career. In 2015, she dropped $2.075 million on a 10,000-square-foot mansion outside Atlanta, Georgia. This luxurious home, located on a golf course with a country club, restaurant, tennis courts, and a swimming pool, was a dream come true. She put the property on the market in October 2021 for $4 million and eventually accepted an offer of $2.6 million in January 2022. In January 2020, she added a second home in Duluth, Georgia, to her collection, purchasing a 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home for $260,000. Just a short drive from her $2 million mansion, this home offered a more intimate retreat. And in late 2021, NeNe splurged on a 4,000-square-foot condo in Atlanta’s Waldorf Astoria Buckhead building for $1.75 million, listing it for sale in July 2022 at $2.5 million.

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Here’s a video tour of her stunning mansion: