While guest-hosting The Breakfast Club, Nene Leakes opened up about the passing of her late husband Gregg Leakes, and how she’s been grieving since his passing.
As we previously reported, the beloved reality star, Gregg Leakes died from colon cancer on Sept. 1, 2021. NeNe told her fellow radio co-hosts that “grief is so hard.” She continued, “I say to my friends often when someone passes you say to them ‘my condolences’ but you really don’t know what that means until you experience it yourself.”
DJ Envy then chimed in to talk about colonoscopies and respectfully asked Nene if Gregg “checked his colon?” Before continuing his question, Nene interjected and said “no.” She bravely shared that she’s done it a few times and even had an endoscopy. However, she admitted that she did ask Gregg to do it with her but “he was really the kind of guy who was afraid to go to the doctor, and when he did go… he had stomach issues and was complaining. She went on to say “Gregg may have complained for like 20 years he just never would go to the doctors. He would work on his self.”
She added, “when [doctors] kept saying ‘you got to do this,’ he was like ‘it’s going to be cancer, it’s going to be cancer.’ And they finally told him it was cancer and he was so undone.” Nene Leakes did note that “once he found out, “Gregg would not miss one doctors appointment. He had every doctor’s appointment lined up.”
How Important Are Colonoscopy Screenings?
Beginning at age 45, Colonoscopies are highly recommended. Not only is it an important screening tool, but it can actually be preventive because they can detect precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—which can then be removed before they turn into cancer.
More On Gregg Leakes Cancer Diagnosis
Gregg was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in May 2018. NeNe publicly announced he was battling cancer that same year. Back in August 2021, Nene reportedly told the crowd at The Linnethia Lounge that “my husband is transitioning to the other side” after his cancer returned.
She said at the time, “Sometimes you don’t know what people are dealing with and what people are going through, OK?” she said during the appearance at her club, which she noted she was making because “we had to walk in this lounge because this is our business.” She added, “My husband is not going to be here in the next couple of days, OK?”
Gregg died “peacefully” the next month in his home while surrounded by his family, publicist and longtime family friend Ernest Dukes confirmed at the time.