When people talk about Nene Leakes and husband Gregg Leakes, they usually start with the drama. The shouting matches on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The $1.8 million televised wedding. The "I'm a very rich b—" lines that became internet gold. But if you strip away the Bravo cameras and the designer labels, you're left with one of the most chaotic, resilient, and deeply human love stories in reality TV history.
It wasn't a fairytale. Honestly, it was a rollercoaster that went off the tracks more than once. They married, they divorced, they remarried, and they fought through a terminal illness that eventually took Gregg’s life in 2021.
Fast forward to 2026, and the conversation around Nene's love life hasn't slowed down. Between her headline-grabbing return to the screen in Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip and her on-again, off-again romance with Nyonisela Sioh, fans are still trying to figure out how she’s navigating life without the man who was her "ultimate" love for 25 years.
The First Chapter: Before the Cameras
Nene met Gregg long before she was a household name. Back in 1997, she was a single mother working as a dancer to make ends meet. Gregg, a real estate investor at the time, saw something in her. He provided a level of stability she hadn't known, and they tied the knot that same year.
They had their son, Brentt, in 1999. For a decade, they lived a relatively private life in Atlanta. Then came the phone call from Bravo.
When RHOA premiered in 2008, the world saw a powerhouse couple. But the fame changed the chemistry. By 2010, the cracks were wide enough for everyone to see. Nene filed for divorce in April 2010, and it was finalized by September 2011. Most people thought that was it. Usually, in the world of reality TV, a divorce is a permanent exit. Not for these two.
The Remarriage and the "I Do" Redo
Separation apparently made the heart grow fonder, or maybe they just realized they didn't like dating other people. Nene famously said that after testing the waters, she realized nobody quite got her like Gregg did.
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They announced their re-engagement in early 2013. Bravo, never one to miss a branding opportunity, gave them a spinoff: I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding.
It was over-the-top.
It was expensive.
It was peak Nene.
They remarried on June 22, 2013, at the InterContinental Buckhead Hotel. It looked like a happy ending, but the second marriage brought a whole new set of challenges that had nothing to do with wedding planners or bridesmaids.
The Battle That Changed Everything
In June 2018, the "fairytale" hit a wall. Gregg was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. This is where the narrative around Nene Leakes and husband gets heavy and, frankly, a bit controversial.
Nene didn't sugarcoat the experience. She was criticized heavily by fans for being "selfish" during Gregg’s illness. She openly admitted she wasn't a good caretaker. She talked about the "caregiver fatigue" and how Gregg’s personality changed—how he became "not nice" because of the pain and the medication.
"I'm not good at fluffing the pillow; I'm good at buying the pillow," she once quipped. It sounded harsh to some, but to anyone who has actually lived through a family member's terminal illness, it felt like a raw, uncomfortable truth.
Gregg was declared cancer-free in 2019 after six months of chemo. He even rang the bell at the hospital. But the victory was short-lived. The cancer returned in 2021, and this time, it was aggressive.
September 1, 2021: The End of an Era
Gregg Leakes passed away at 66 years old. He died at home, surrounded by his kids and Nene.
In the days following his death, Nene shared that they had made peace. They spent his final five days talking through everything. He gave her his blessing to move on. He told her, "Be happy, keep smiling."
His death left a massive hole in the RHOA community. Andy Cohen called him the "voice of reason" among the cast. For Nene, it was the loss of her anchor. Even when they were fighting, Gregg was the one person who could truly handle her.
Life After Gregg: The Nyonisela Sioh Years
Nene didn't wait long to start dating again, which sparked a lot of debate. Just three months after Gregg’s passing, she was spotted with Nyonisela Sioh, a fashion designer from Liberia.
The relationship has been... messy.
- The Lawsuit: Sioh’s estranged wife, Malomine Tehmeh-Sioh, actually sued Nene for "alienation of affection," claiming Nene stole her husband.
- The Breaks: Since 2021, Nene and Nyoni have broken up and reconciled more times than fans can count.
- The Privacy: By 2023, Nene told producer Carlos King that her next relationship would be "absolutely private" because the public scrutiny was too much.
As of early 2026, things are still cryptic. They were spotted together in Atlanta in mid-2025 after Nene declared herself single. It seems she’s caught in a cycle of trying to find that "Gregg-level" connection while realizing it might be impossible to replicate.
Why We Are Still Talking About This in 2026
Nene is officially back in the Bravo fold. Her appearance on Ultimate Girls Trip has reminded everyone why she was the queen of Atlanta. But there's a different energy to her now.
She recently admitted that while she wants to find a guy who "makes more money" than her and treats her like a queen, Gregg remains the gold standard.
Most people get it wrong when they think Nene moved on too fast. In her mind, she isn't replacing Gregg; she’s just trying to survive the silence he left behind. Grieving in the spotlight is a nightmare. Doing it while trying to maintain a "Rich B—" persona is even harder.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you've been following the saga of Nene and her various partners, there are a few real-world takeaways from her journey:
- Understand Caregiver Fatigue: If you are caring for a sick loved one, Nene’s "harsh" honesty is a reminder that you are allowed to be frustrated. It doesn't make you a bad person; it makes you human.
- Grief Has No Timeline: Don't judge someone for how fast or slow they "move on." Everyone processes loss differently, and sometimes jumping into a new relationship is a coping mechanism rather than a lack of respect for the deceased.
- The Importance of Medical Screenings: Gregg’s battle with colon cancer is a stark reminder. Early detection is everything. If you are over 45, or younger with symptoms, get the screening.
Nene Leakes is moving into a new era of her career. She’s filming again, she’s laughing again, and she’s still keeping everyone guessing about who is sitting in the passenger seat of her car. Whether it's Nyoni or someone new, the shadow of Gregg Leakes will always be there—not as a burden, but as the blueprint for the kind of love she knows she deserves.