Real Housewives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes’ husband Greg had died at the age of 66 after battling colon cancer.
The reality star confirmed the news in a statement, days after it was revealed her husband was ‘transitioning to the other side’.
The press release from her publicist Ernest Dukes 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.’
It continued: ‘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.’
Bravo’s Andy Cohen paid tribute on Twitter after the news broke as he tweeted: ‘I am heartbroken over the passing of Gregg Leakes, a wonderful man.
‘I jokingly called him “Pastor Leakes” but in truth he was a strong voice of reason & commanded great respect among the entire #RHOA team. I am sending love and strength to @neneleakes & the entire Leakes family.’
Just days before, Nene had told fans she was devastated by the turn in her husband’s health battle.
The 53-year-old shared an image to Instagram, reading: ‘Broken,’ with a prayer hands emoji and a broken heart.
Gregg was first diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2018, and his illness was documented on season 11 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
He went into remission in 2019, but in June, NeNe revealed that her husband’s cancer had returned.
She told The Jasmine Brand: ‘He’s been in the hospital for a week, tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll be home in about a week or so. He had to have surgery. He’s had this surgery before and he was in the hospital for about 15 days.
‘If you’ve ever been around somebody who’s had cancer before, he’s different. He’s different.
‘I’d love for everybody to pray for Gregg, that would be beautiful. Pray for his strength. And pray for me too.’
NeNe and Gregg first married in 1997, and they had two sons, Brentt and Bryson, together.
They divorced in 2011, but couldn’t stay away from each other and remarried in 2013.
NeNe is best known as one of the original cast members of RHOA and for her role as Roz Washington on Glee.
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