NeNe Leakes Salary: 'RHOA' Star Is Highest Paid 'Real Housewife,' Paid $1.5 Million

NeNe Leakes is the highest paid Real Housewives star.

Did NeNe Leakes Just Confirm Her Exit From 'RHOA?'

Although rumor has it Leakes won't be returning to The Real Housewives of Atlanta after its upcoming seventh season, she is currently ruling all when it comes to the popular reality franchise. In a new report, a source claims Leakes was paid a whopping $1.5 million for her work on season seven.

Leakes was able to “broker the huge pay increase because she is the most popular housewife of any of the Bravo franchises,” a source told Radar Online on Oct. 7. “Without NeNe, RHOA wouldn’t be the ratings blockbuster that it continues to be."

NeNe Leakes "Can't Wait" To Be Off 'RHOA?'

Leakes has been with The Real Housewives of Atlanta since the show's debut episode on Oct. 7, 2008, and is the only remaining original cast member on the series. However, when it comes to a season eight return, Leakes is doubtful.

In August, Leakes tweeted, "Imagine workin wit somebody who is evil inside & out but yet they want an apology 4 what now? I can't wait 2 be outta this circle!" Right away, fans feared she could be leaving the series. Then, in September, the speculation continued, when Leakes tweeted, "Sometimes n life u have 2 just move on! 4 growth, 4 sanity, 4 healing! It's a sacrifice!"

While Leakes may or may not return for another year with Bravo, she continues to be a main attraction for the network.

"While some of the other shows including RHONJ and RHONY have endured ratings slumps, Atlanta has never had to endure that," the source explained. "NeNe made it known she would need a significant raise to do the upcoming season, and Bravo had no choice but to agree to it.”

NeNe Leakes returns to Bravo on Nov. 9 for the seventh season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.