The RHOA alum has a great relationship with her ex and the father of her daughter.
Cynthia Bailey Noelle Robinson and Leon Robinson pose for a photo together. Photo: Leon Robinson/Instagram
Cynthia Bailey is very close to her daughter Noelle Robinson — and to Noelle’s father, Leon Robinson. Though The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum and Leon split when Noelle was very young, the pair have maintained a close friendship as they co-parent their daughter.
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“The 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 comes first. We have a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 together and that is something that will never change, and no matter how many women I may have had in my life, only one of them has given me a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥. So, for me, she has the highest respect of anyone,” Leon has said of his relationship with Cynthia, whom he dated in the late 1990s and early 2000s when he was working as an actor and she as a model.
“We are a family through this 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥. We are always supposed to do what is best for one another and respect one another, but most of all, do what is best for the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, and the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 needs to see two loving parents. Even if we are not together as a couple, we can still love and respect one another,” he said. “That is what our daughter [Noelle] needs to see in order to grow up.”
In fact, Cynthia and Leon have such a good relationship, that fans have wondered whether the two will ever get back together — a scenario Cynthia firmly shut down in 2017.
Take a trip down memory lane with photos from the last 20+ years of the family’s life.
Cynthia Bailey with Noelle Robinson as a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥
In a May 2021 Instagram post, Cynthia looked back on her time with “𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 Noelle” with the cutest throwback photo. In the pic, the youngster — who was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 in 1999 — wore a 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day hat with her doting mother smiling behind her.
Cynthia Bailey and Leon Robinson in April 2000
Actor Leon and girlfriend, Cynthia Bailey attend the the NBA.com Celebrity Fashion Show -to Celebrate the Launch of The NBA Store on NBA.com on April 27, 2000 at The NBA Store, Fifth Avenue in New York City. Photo: Getty Images
Cynthia and Leon had a stylish night out in New York City in April 2000 while attending the NBA.com Celebrity Fashion Show. Cynthia made a statement in a coat with a furry trim, while Leon picked a dark leather jacket.
Cynthia Bailey and Leon Robinson in May 2000
Actor Leon and girlfriend Cynthia Bailey attend the Ghost Flagship Store Grand Opening Celebration on May 4, 2000 at Ghost Flagship Store, Bond Street in New York City. Photo: Getty Images
Posing for a photo in May 2000, Cynthia and Leon attended the Ghost Flagship Store Grand Opening Celebration in New York City. Cynthia sported a short haircut and a curve-clinging red dress, while Leon was dapper in a white coat and blue shirt.
Cynthia Bailey and Leon Robinson in June 2000
Actor Leon and girlfriend Cynthia Bailey attend the “Shaft” New York City Premiere on June 12, 2000 at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City. Photo: Getty Images
In June 2000, Cynthia and Leon attended the premiere for the John Singleton-helmed reboot of Shaft (starring Samuel L. Jackson as the iconic character) in New York City. Cynthia wore a black hat and dark denim jacket, while Leon wore a dark leather jacket over a half-unbuttoned shirt.
Cynthia Bailey and Leon Robinson in April 2001
Actor Leon Robinson and girlfriend, Cynthia Bailey attend the 2001 Essence Awards on April 27, 2001 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Photo: Getty Images
The pair also attended the 2001 Essence Awards together in New York City on April 27, 2001. For the Madison Square Garden event, Cynthia wore a black-and-white hat and black coat with fake fur trim. Leon let a sharp yellow collared shirt peek out from under a black blazer.
Cynthia Bailey and Leon Robinson in June 2001
Cynthia Bailey with Leon Robinson at the New York premiere of ‘A.I. Artificial Intelligence’ at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City. Photo: Getty Images
Attending the New York City premiere of A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Cynthia wore a brown hat, beige strapless top, and white pants, while Leon picked a gray tee and striped pants.
Cynthia Bailey, Leon Robinson, and Noelle Robinson in March 2002
Leon, Cynthia Bailey, Noel during Opening of New Equinox Fitness Club at Equinox Fitness Club in New York, New York, United States. Photo: Getty Images
Cynthia, Leon, and a 2-year-old Noelle attended an opening for a new Equinox Fitness Club in New York City in March 2002.
Cynthia Bailey and Leon Robinson in June 2002
Actor Leon (Leon Preston Robinson) and his girlfriend Cynthia Bailey poses for photos on the red carpet outside the Kodak Theater during the 2nd Annual BET Awards in Hollywood, California on June 26, 2002. ( Photo: Getty Images
For the June 2002 BET Awards in Hollywood, California, Cynthia and Leon stunned on the red carpet. The model donned a crisp white suit with a dazzling choker necklace, while Leon rocked a black and red dashiki-inspired top and sunglasses.
Cynthia Bailey, Leon Robinson, and Noelle Robinson in August 2002Cynthia Bailey, Leon Robinson and their daughter Noelle, at an event together. Photo: Getty Images
The trio got in the team spirit for the NBA Store’s 2nd Annual Back-to-School Style Preview event in August 2002.
Cynthia Bailey and Leon Robinson in October 2002
Leon and Cynthia Bailey during “Brown Sugar” – New York Premiere at The Ziegfeld Theater in New York City, New York, United States. Photo: Getty Images
In October 2002, Cynthia and Leon walked the red carpet for the New York City premiere of Brown Sugar at the Ziegfeld Theater. Cynthia wore a black hat and printed halter dress, while Leon wore a tan hat and long black coat.
Leon Bailey and Noelle Robinson in November 2019
In November 2019, Leon shared a sweet photo of himself and his daughter, and let the world know that the two had had lunch “three days in a row!” He added: “I must have done something right or just know the right spots to hang.”
Cynthia Bailey, Leon Robinson, Noelle Robinson, and Mike Hill in November 2019
In November 2019, Cynthia and Leon reunited to celebrate Noelle’s 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day, and they were joined by Mike Hill, who was Cynthia’s fiancé at the time (the pair have since split). “Family is family,” Mike captioned the photo, which was re-posted by Leon. “Love should be extended to whoever you love loves! Happy Birthday, Noelle. Honored to be able to share it with you & your wonderful parents.”
Noelle Robinson and Leon Robinson in January 2020
A January 2020 trip to Jamaica was a perfect opportunity for Leon and Noelle to make lasting memories. Leon shared a photo of himself and his daughter enjoying a pool and added the caption: “Same place with the same gorgeous daughter, Noelle.”
Leon Robinson and Noelle Robinson in July 2021
As Noelle prepared to move into her new Los Angeles apartment in July 2021, her father was there to help. Leon documented the event with an Instagram post. “On the move ‘literally’ with my daughter Noelle into her new place!” he captioned the snap.
Noelle Robinson and Leon Robinson in June 2023
This Father’s Day, Noelle showered her dad with love while the two enjoyed the fresh air. “Yes, it was a great Daddy’s Day in Santa Monica,” Leon captioned a sweet selfie of the duo.