At 53, Leah Remini Earns An Associate’s Degree At NYU

Leah Remini, known for her role in King of Queens, wants her followers to know that it’s never too late to chase their dreams. On Thursday, the actress, 53, revealed that she has earned an associate’s degree from New York University (NYU) and is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree.

Remini shared her decision to become a college student at the age of 50, three years ago. Before this endeavor, she had only obtained an eighth-grade education, as she spent the majority of her life within the Church of Scientology. After she departed from the Church in 2013, Remini felt a need for higher education that she had suppressed due to self-doubt.

In a heartfelt post, Remini proudly showcased her NYU associate’s degree and highlighted the immense effort, sleepless nights, moments of doubt and tears that accompanied her educational journey. She expressed her gratitude to her husband, daughter, family, friends, therapist, tutor and NYU professors for their unwavering support throughout her return to school.

She acknowledged the uplifting impact of her social media followers, whose comments and stories provided her with strength while in hard times.

Remini recognized her privileged position and emphasized that her educational pursuit was made possible by her circumstances. However, she acknowledged receiving countless messages from individuals, particularly women, who, inspired by her journey, decided to pursue their own dreams of obtaining a GED or pursuing a college education later in life.

“So many of you have gotten me through the most challenging times,” she wrote. “I have read many of your comments and drawn inspiration from them.”

Remini closed out her post, “Whether a cult used to control your life, you have a full-time job as a stay-at-home parent, or full-time job(s) outside of the home, it’s never too late to continue your education and pursue what you have always wanted to achieve for yourself!”

Last year, Remini sued the Church of Scientology for stalking and harassing her.