NeNe Leakes: American television
personality Biography
Full Name: NeNe Leakes
Date of Birth: December 13, 1967
Place of Birth: Queens, New York, USA
Occupation: Television Personality, Actress, Producer, Author
Nationality: American
Religion: Christianity
Height and Physical Stats
Height: 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
Weight: Approx. 67 kg (147 lbs)
Education
High School: Clarke Central High School, Athens, Georgia
College: Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia
Family
Spouse: Gregg Leakes (m. 1997–div. 2011; remarried 2013–until his death in 2021)
Children:
Brentt Leakes (son with Gregg)
Bryson Rashard Bryant (son from a previous relationship)
Career
NeNe Leakes is a television personality, actress, and entrepreneur. She rose to fame as an original cast member of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" (RHOA) in 2008. Her bold personality and catchphrases helped make the show a massive success.
Beyond reality TV, NeNe pursued acting, landing roles in hit shows like:
Glee (as Coach Roz Washington)
The New Normal
(as Rocky Rhoades)
She has appeared in other shows and competitions, including:
The Celebrity Apprentice
Dancing with the Stars
Fashion Police
Lip Sync Battle
Guest host on The Real and The Talk
She also made her Broadway debut in Cinderella and later performed in Chicago as Matron “Mama” Morton.
In addition to her entertainment career, NeNe is a successful entrepreneur, owning:
Swagg Boutique (a fashion retail store)
The Linnethia Lounge
(an upscale lounge in Atlanta)
She also authored a memoir:
Never Make the Same Mistake Twice (2009)
Net Worth
Estimated Net Worth (2025): Around $ 14 million
Her wealth comes from TV salaries, endorsements, acting, hosting, book sales, and her fashion businesses. She was reportedly one of the highest-paid Housewives, earning nearly $2.85 million per season at her peak on RHOA.
Awards & Recognition
While NeNe Leakes has not won major acting awards, she has earned:
Praise for her comedic timing and TV presence
Recognition as a reality TV icon
High rankings in pop culture and reality TV influence lists
Broadway stage acclaim for Cinderella and Chicago
Summary
NeNe Leakes is a multi-talented television personality and businesswoman who helped redefine the reality TV landscape. From her breakthrough on The Real Housewives of Atlanta to her ventures in acting, fashion, and hospitality, she remains a prominent and influential figure in entertainment and pop culture.
