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Nene Leakes announced her departure from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The seasoned star will not be returning to the show when it comes back for season 13. News of her exit from the Bravo franchise followed weeks of fiery contract negotiations. After Leakes confirmed she was ending her time with the reality series, other housewives sent her the sweetest messages.

Nene Leakes
Nene Leakes | Isabella Vosmikova/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Nene Leakes makes bombshell announcement

Leakes had already let her fans on her struggles with negotiating her contract. With her departure from the show, she will leave a legacy — a legacy that started back in 2008. The Glee alum made herself a household name by showcasing her bigger-than-life personality and becoming a GIF-able queen. She first left RHOA after seven seasons and returned for seasons 10 through 12.

“I have made the very hard and difficult decision to not be a part of Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 13,” the star said on YouTube. “It wasn’t an easy decision for me. It was hard.”

Leakes leaves a big mark in the Housewives franchise as a whole, and many will miss her presence.

“You could’ve never told me that I would star on this little show and it’d still be going strong 13 years later,” Leakes reflected. “I’m just so happy that I can say that I was a part of a genre that opened up doors for Black ensemble reality shows to step up and be a part of what we all now love so much, reality TV.”

Housewives say goodbye to Nene Leakes

Following the announcement from Leakes, many fellow housewives reached out to her privately. The Fashion Police alum then shared these messages on her Instagram Stories to showcase all the love she received.

Tanya Sam, who has been a “friend of” RHOA and will be returning to season 13, said: “I miss you already my Sagittarius sister. Posting a few pics to honor you and commemorate all that you have done to trail-blaze for me and so many on the show.”

Cynthia Bailey, who was a Leakes’ friend for years on the show also sent a message.

“You were heavy on my spirit today,” the former model said. “I just want you to know that I wish you a lifetime of love, peace, and happiness. You are so deserving of it all. I am excited to see all the amazing things that God has put in place for you as your incredible journey continues.”

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Her “little sis,” Porsha Williams, also reached out to her saying, “On the real, why your video made me tear up? Thank you for everything you have done and the ground you, later that I and many other walk on.”

Housewives from The Real Housewives of Potomac also extended their good wishes to the OG of Atlanta.

“Thank you for setting the tone for women of color to have a strong voice on Bravo,” Ashley Darby wrote. “You really will always be a legend no matter what you choose to do from her on out.”

Bethenny Frankel, who was a The Real Housewives of New York City Housewife, said: “Good luck boo.”

The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 13 is expected to air later this year on Bravo.

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