Viola Davis and Real Housewives of Atlanta stars lead tributes as NeNe Leakes’ husband Gregg dies from cancer aged 66

Tributes have flooded in for NeNe Leakes’ husband Gregg who has died following a battle with cancer (Picture: WireImage)

Viola Davis and the stars of reality series the Real Housewives of Atlanta have paid tribute to NeNe Leakes’ husband Gregg following news of his death.

Real estate investor Gregg died aged 66 from cancer, with his wife NeNe sharing that the family are in ‘deep pain’ in a statement on Wednesday.

Since then, tributes have flooded in for Gregg, with actress Viola and NeNe’s castmembers honouring her husband on social media.

Reacting to Gregg’s death, How To Get Away With Murder star Viola tweeted: ‘So sorry. RIP….’

NeNe’s close pal and co-star Porsha Williams shared a sweet picture of NeNe with her husband Gregg and wrote: ‘Truly heartbreaking news 💔 Love and prayers for dear Nene & the Leakes family 🙏🏾 #Speechless 💔 🥺We love you Gregg #F**kCancer.’

Model Cynthia Bailey, whose turbulent friendship with NeNe was at the centre of RHOA’s early series, shared that she will ‘miss’ Gregg, as she described him as ‘kind’ and ‘loving’.

Cynthia wrote: ‘Heartbroken.💔💔💔 This is one of my favorite photos of us. It brings back such fond memories. It was @itsmikehill birthday & we invited a few of our friends over for a last minute gathering at Lake Bailey. Out of nowhere, Gregg asked to pray for Mike and I. For our love & our relationship.

‘He was first person to actually pray for us as a couple. It was so heartfelt and so beautiful. We were all so touched and blown away by his words. I think Mike & I both teared up. There was sincerely a ministry inside of him. He truly blessed us that night & we will never forget it. That was one of the many things that Gregg did to bless my life.

‘I am so saddened to hear of his passing. My heart and prayers go out to @neneleakes and her family. Gregg was a good man, so kind & so loving. I will miss him, and will always honor his memory with love.🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽
#RIP#greggleakes#heartbroken.’

Phaedra Parks added: ‘I’m so thankful I had the pleasure of knowing @greggleakes. He was wonderfully wise, hilariously humorous, courageous and compassionate. A great husband, dad and friend.

‘Death always has some measure of sadness but a man who leaves a legacy never truly dies because his spirit, his words, and his deeds are etched in the hearts of everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. Tonight I find solace in the moments I listened, laughed and learned from Gregg.  #RIP #OG #Greggleakes

‘@neneleakes what’s known doesn’t have to be posted-YOU know I love you and am always praying for you #Athensstrong 💪🏾😘.’

RHOA star Kandi wrote on Instagram: ‘My prayers go out to @neneleakes & her family. @greggleakes was an amazing man who always brought love & great energy to any room he walked into. I’m thankful for the great memories I have of him. Rest in peace Gregg.’

Claudia Jordan took to her Instagram story to pay tribute to Gregg, as she penned: ‘Condolences to @neneleakes and the entire Leakes family.’

RHOA star Kandi shared a snap of Gregg and NeNe with her and her husband Todd Tucker (Picture: Instagram)

Claudia Jordan sent her condolences to NeNe and family (Picture: Instagram)

Bravo star Kim Zolciak-Biermann paid tribute as she penned: So heartbreaking 💔 I’m so sorry for this tragic loss @neneleakes. I am sending you and your entire family lots of love and prayers. Gregg was literally one of kind. Never waivered amongst the drama ❤️.

‘Gregg was ALWAYS kind, considerate, and the calm in any storm. He was the peaceful voice of reason and will be greatly missed by so many. His legacy lives on in you and the boys. Until we meet again, may you rest in Paradise, Gregg.’

TV host Andy Cohen was also seen remembering Gregg and told fans he was ‘heartbroken’ to hear of the reality star’s death.

Andy 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

Gregg is survived by wife NeNe and their 22-year-old son Brentt.

He 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 confirmed his death in a statement shared by publicist Ernest Dukes that 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.’

More: UK

Just days before Gregg’s death, NeNe had revealed that Gregg was ‘transitioning to the other side’ amid his health battle. She addressed the crowd during an appearance at her Atlanta club on Sunday night and shared that Gregg was ‘at home dying’.

NeNe is yet to comment publicly on Gregg’s death. Her last Instagram post was shared three days ago and was of the word ‘Broken’ alongside a heart and prayer emoji.

She and Gregg have been together for over two decades, with the pair first tying the knot in 1997.

The pair later divorced in 2011, but got back together nearly two years later and remarried in 2013.

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