Anna Shay, star of Netflix reality show “Bling Empire,” has died unexpectedly at 62 years old, according to media reports.
“It saddens our hearts to announce that Anna Shay, a loving mother, grandmother, charismatic star, and our brightest ray of sunshine, has passed away at the early age of 62 from a stroke,” Shay’s family confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE. “Anna taught us many life lessons on how not to take life too seriously and to enjoy the finer things. Her impact on our lives will be forever missed but never forgotten.”
The half-Japanese and half-Russian reality star has been featured on the show since its inception in 2021 and quickly became a fan favorite. As her profile grew, fans became increasingly intrigued by the mystery surrounding her extreme wealth.
But it was later revealed by NBC that the reality star’s father was the founder of Pacific Architects and Engineers, a global contractor for American defense services which dates back to the 1960s.
Shay and her brother sold their father’s company in 2006 for $1.2 billion, according to Tatler, who profiled Shay last year.
The show has had 3 seasons, where it follows a group of extremely wealthy Asian American socialites residing in Los Angeles who introduce viewers to their lifestyle shrouded in luxury, USA Today reported.
But to Shay, she didn’t anticipate the show’s success or the popularity that would come as a result of her time on the platform.
“I wasn’t even expecting to be in front of the camera,” Shay told PEOPLE in 2021. “I’m very shy and I went along with whatever situation was happening. I was just being me.”
In the most recent season of the show, which aired in October, Shay was seen advising her other costars that regardless of finding fame and their lavish lifestyles, “There are more things in life than superficial [expletive].”
The “Bling Empire” star married four times and kept her ex-husbands’ identities out of the spotlight and held a private life. She leaves behind her son Kenny Kemp along with grandchildren, whose identities are unknown, according to reports.
Source link