Nene Leakes Highest Paid Housewife With New $1 Million Deal?

By Christine Thomasos, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, April 11, 2013

Nene Leakes, the 45-year-old actress and cast member of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," has reportedly just become the highest paid member on the Bravo network's franchise.

Leakes reportedly just signed on to appear in season six of the show for $1 million, according to Radar Online reports. A source close to the production of the show reportedly spoke up for the reason for Leakes' salary increase.

"NeNe is the one viewers watch," the source reportedly told RadarOnline.com. "She knows that, Bravo knows that and that's why they gave her a raise."

At the close of the reality television series' fifth season, Leakes and her fellow cast members reportedly signed on for an additional season of the show. Although Leakes is an actress on "Glee" and "The New Normal," the source spoke about her reason for returning to the reality television series.

"She likes being on the show," the source told RadarOnline.com "NeNe is really happy with the New Normal and Glee, where she can be a real actress, but she knows her bread and butter comes from Bravo and that's why she's coming back, 'cause she can't turn the money down!"

In previous seasons of her reality television series, Leakes coined the phrase "I'm very rich!" However, she has also spoken about having a specific definition for the term rich.

"I think that everyone is saying all kinds of things about 'rich.' Not only am I rich from doing some of things I've been able to do, but I'm rich in spirit," Leakes told Essence.com in 2011. "I'm rich in health. I'm rich in every way possible."

Last September, Leakes elaborated further on her financial status and the term "very rich."

"I want to say that being 'very rich' is what is rich to you. If $50 makes you feel rich, then that's fine," Leakes told HelloBeautiful.com last year. "I am so rich in so many ways– in life, spirit, health and because I can work honey! I am super rich right now. I feel great about that. I work all the time, so I don't get a chance to spend my money."