It’s been three years since the Former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes lost her beloved husband Gregg to cancer.
Recently, close to the anniversary of his death, Nene Leakes talked to fans on Instagram Live about how much she still misses him. While on Live, the reality television star, 56, answered a fan who asked whether she misses Gregg. Leakes began by saying she misses Gregg ‘so much.’
“There’s this old saying that you never miss a good thing until it’s gone like that sh** is for real,” she began. “I didn’t even realize how valuable Gregg was to my life or to us until he was gone. Because it’s so many times when I want to be like, ‘oh Gregg would like that’, you know? And then I have to remind myself that Gregg is not here.”
Leakes continued during her Instagram Live, “I miss Gregg a lot like so much, it makes no sense, like I really miss him, he was great. He did so much to propel my career and support me,” she said. “It’s hard for anybody to walk in his shoes, Gregg is that guy. Like I was lucky and blessed by God to have such a great husband for so many years.”
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What Nene Felt the Day He Died…
In a nearly 15-minute-long video titled “I’m Lost Without You” posted to YouTube in 2023, the RHOA alum shared how “her life changed” in September 2021, the day her husband died. For context, Gregg had been battling colon cancer since 2018. Though he was in remission for two years, the cancer aggressively returned in 2021.
She went on to share how her husband was “very confused, he wasn’t aware anymore” and was struggling to breathe. After being assessed by his nurse, Nene gave the OK to administer a small amount of morphine to him to help him relax—though Gregg previously stated he preferred not to receive it as he wanted to “go naturally.” It wasn’t long after that he fell asleep and never woke up again.
Prior to his passing, their family and close friends had been on a rotating visiting schedule with him to talk and keep him company. In the moments leading up to his passing, Nene said that they all gathered in the foyer of their home to pray. Afterward, when she was informed that he had transitioned, Nene called for the arrangements she set up prior to come get his body and hold him in a private location before the blogs and news sites could find out.
“Gregg, we miss you so much. I love you so much,” she tearfully said later in the video. “You said to me before we passed, ‘it’s gonna be hard. It’s gonna be hard baby, but you can do this.’ And I want you to know that it is hard, but I am doing it. I am doing it, but it is hard. You told me ‘you’ll find another love one day.’ But I don’t want to find another love, oh my God. It’s not that way, I love you Gregg. I love you, I miss you.”
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Gregg died “peacefully” in his home while surrounded by his family.
Gregg, who was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer in 2018, had been in remission for two years. NeNe revealed he was hospitalized and recovering from surgery following the return of his cancer.
How Cancer Changed Nene and Gregg’s Relationship
“It’s difficult,” she said during an Instagram Live at the time. “He’s super small. If you’ve ever been around somebody who’s had cancer before, he’s different. He’s different.”
The couple, who got married initially in 1997, divorced in 2011 before remarrying in June 2013. They share one son together, Brentt Leakes, whos is now 22.
Following Gregg’s colon cancer diagnosis, fans witnessed the toll the illness took on their marriage during the 11th season of Real Housewives of Atlanta. At one point, NeNe even admitted she was considering a second divorce because of his attitude toward her while going through chemotherapy.
“It’s been a big transition for Gregg and I and our entire family,” she told PEOPLE in November 2018. “To learn that Gregg has cancer? Our lives just changed that day. Our whole routine changed. Just … everything changed. I don’t have cancer. Gregg has cancer. But I feel like our whole house has cancer.”
“He’s a changed person, his attitude changed,” she continued. “I feel like that day I lost my husband. Our whole dynamic changed. Sometimes I forget that he’s sick and I need to remind myself because he’s so on edge. He’s not nice, but he can’t help it.”
Cancer Affects the Whole Family; No Matter Who It Is!
According to the American Cancer Society, it is often the spouse or partner of a patient with cancer that is affected most significantly of all the family members. Both the patient and their spouse may experience strong emotions about the condition, such as sadness, anxiety, or anger, which can affect the relationship.
Cancer treatment may also shift the roles that each partner plays in the relationship if there is a need for adjustments to be made to accommodate the health of the cancer patient. This change in expectations and responsibilities can be difficult for both the patient and the partner, who may report feeling, guilty, or overwhelmed.
Cancer can also have an impact on sexuality and the intimacy of couples. Many treatments for cancer may cause side effects such as low libido, vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction, or depression, which may interfere with intercourse and sexuality. This can contribute to anxiety and tension between the couple, which may be difficult to discuss and work through.
Since hearing of Gregg’s passing, celebrities have been posting and tweetin their condolences.
“Heartbroken,” tweeted fellow reality star Cynthia Bailey.
“So many good times & so many amazing memories. Gregg was always so loving, funny & kind. So blessed to have had him in my life. Sending my heartfelt condolences to @NeNeLeakes and her family. Thinking of you & my heart and prayers are with you.”
