Entertainment

How Much Is 'RHOA's NeNe Leakes Worth?

When I'm watching any of the franchises in the Real Housewives series, one thing I always end up wondering is how much money all these ladies have. Like, how much is NeNe Leakes worth, for instance? In theory, having more money than you know what to do with is one of the requirements for being on the show, but it doesn't always play out that way. NeNe has long been one of the shiniest jewels in Bravo's crown, as one the network's only stars who actually works in a recognizable way outside the show, but how does that translate into cash money? (And no, Ramona Singer and Sonja Morgan, I'm not talking about recognizable in a "didn't she slap her name on a Pinot Grigio or a toaster?" kind of way. You can both sit down.)

So, just right up front, the big number that's getting tossed around as NeNe Leakes' net worth is $12 million, which sounds pretty reasonable to me. For one thing, Leakes was the highest paid member of the franchise, receiving $1 million for every season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta — $750,000 for the regular season, and $250,000 for a reunion. And bear in mind, that was before Leakes left the show and was lured back in, so I suspect she got a raise in order to convince her to return.

She's also had stints on Glee, The Celebrity Apprentice, and The New Normal, and is currently a special cohost of Fashion Police , and a main judge on To Tell The Truth, so her name is known outside of RHOA, and she can command higher fees for future appearances or speaking engagements. You know, if she's into that sort of thing.

Leakes also owns her own production company, NeNe Leakes Entertainment, a fashion line on the Home Shopping Network, and a book out, called Never Make the Same Mistake Twice: Lessons on Love and Life Learned the Hard Way, all of which undoubtedly bring in additional revenue, although I can't speak with authority as to how much. All I know is that at the end of the day, $12 million sounds about right for all the ventures NeNe Leakes has going on, and I hope she stays on The Real Housewives of Atlanta for a good long time to keep pushing that number up.

Image: Giphy