A name that the average RHOA (The Real Housewives of Atlanta) fan—or even anyone who has a pop culture obsession—knows: Nene Leakes. With a captivating personality, signature phrases, and magnetic charm, she has made her mark in show business. But her success doesn’t just stop on the screen, have you ever wondered how well off she’s got? How did Nene Leakes become a millionaire and what is her net worth?
| Category | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated net worth as of 2022 | $14 million | |
| Estimated net worth (alternative source) | $12 million | |
| Salary for The Real Housewives of Atlanta | $1 million | |
| Salary per season (earlier contract) | $750,000 | |
| Bonus for reunion show (circa 2012) | $250,000 | |
| Accumulated earnings from Seasons 1 to 5 | $4 million | |
| Role in Glee and other TV shows | Not disclosed | |
| Appearance on Celebrity Apprentice | Not disclosed |
Who is Nene Leakes?
Early Life and Background
Nene Leakes (birth name: Linnethia Monique Johnson) was born December 13, 1967 in Queens, New York and raised in a middle class family. She spent part of her childhood in Athens, Ga., where she was raised by her aunt. Nene had a gift for entertaining others from an early age, something that would follow her throughout her career.
Nene was an actress and model before finding fame on reality TV. She appeared in small roles in a number of TV shows and films, but her break was approaching.
Rise to Fame on RHOA
Nene Leakes shot to fame in 2008 when she joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The Bravo reality show rapidly emerged as a pop culture phenom, and Nene became one of the series’ most memorable stars. Her wit, good humor and no-nonsense attitude earned her a legion of fans
Nene was credited as the face of RHOA, being a full-time cast member for many seasons. After a brief hiatus, though, she came back to regain her crown. She played a major role in the show’s success and became one of the highest-paid housewives in the franchise.
Nene Leakes: Career Highlights
Reality TV Success
Nene’s career is inextricable from reality television, but her gifts stretch far beyond RHOA. The projects she has worked on over the years all helped her build her fame and her wealth.
RHOA Salary: Nene was said to be making an as of $1 million an episode at the height of her fame, becoming one of the highest paid reality stars.
Other Reality: Nene appeared on the likes of The Celebrity Apprentice 4 and Dancing with the Stars. Her Kirsty competitive and larger-than-life spirit made her an unforgettable contestant.
Acting Roles
Nene did not confine herself to reality television. She also dabbled in scripted television, starring in popular shows such as:
- Glee: Nene played the character Coach Roz Washington on the hit musical show, a no-nonsense cheerleading coach
- The New Normal: She had a recurring role as Rocky Rhoades, demonstrating her comic chops.
- These roles showed off her range as an entertainer and introduced her to new audiences.
Hosting and Guest Appearances
Nene has made guest appearances on multiple talk shows and entertainment shows. She was a co-host of Fashion Police and also appeared on The View and The Wendy Williams Show. Her capacity for identification made her a popular guest in the entertainment world.
Nene Leakes’ Net Worth
So, what is Nene Leakes’ net worth? Her estimated net worth is $14 million, according to various sources. Let’s go through how she created her wealth.
Reality TV Earnings
Nene’s wealth mostly comes from her tenure on RHOA. Her huge salary, plus bonuses and sponsorship, made her one of the richest housewives in the franchise.
Acting and Hosting
Her work on series like Glee and The New Normal, plus guest-hosting gigs, was another lucrative revenue stream. These opportunities allowed her to expand her income streams, and also to develop her status as a multi-talented performer.
Business Ventures
Nene is more than a TV star, though — she’s an entrepreneur. We will see in the next section, some of her business activities have also helped her contribute to her financial success.
Business Ventures And Entrepreneurial Pursuits
Nene Leakes is exhibiting her businesswoman prowess. She has parlayed her celebrity into businesses across several different industries.
Fashion Line
Perhaps one of the most well-known of Nene’s ventures is the Nene Leakes Collection, the clothing line she created in partnership with HSN (Home Shopping Network). Already known for its stylish, affordable pieces, the collection proved to be a hit with fans and fashion lovers alike.
Memoir
A memoir titled “Never Make the Same Mistake Twice” released by Nene in 2009 offers fans of the star insight on her life, struggles and successes. She published a book that took off and gave her a chance to reach her audience in a more intimate way.
Other Ventures
In addition, Nene has pursued other business endeavors and opened a lounge in Atlanta called The Linnethia Lounge, which has become a favorite nightlife destination.
Personal Life and Challenges
Marriage and Family
Nene’s personal life has been a major component of her public persona. She married Gregg Leakes in 1997, and they had two sons together. Their relationship had ups and downs — they divorced in 2011 but married again in 2013.
Nene faced a tragedy when her husband, Gregg Leakes, died in 2021 after a battle with cancer, a loss that touched Nene and her family deeply.
Palestinians and followers of the Palestinian cause.
As a public figure, Nene has had her fair share of controversies. Perhaps the biggest of those was her lawsuit against Bravo, in which she accused the network of discrimination while filming RHOA. The legal struggle had its difficulties, but it also underscored problems of representation and equity in the entertainment industry.
Conclusion
Nene Leakes from the Real Housewives of Atlanta is one of those personalities who have beautiful careers. Having an estimated net worth of $14 million. She’s one of reality TV’s most successful stars.
Her story is one of hard work, resilience, and reinvention. Nene Leakes is a force to be reckoned with, whether she’s making us laugh on screen or building her brand behind the scenes.
You may also read (sister jean net worth)
