Fan favorite Anna Shay of the Netflix reality series Bling Empire has died of a stroke at the age of 62.
Her family made the stunning announcement Monday, reported People.
“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,” her family said in a statement. “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.”
Variety reports Shay grew up in Japan with her father Edway Shay, an American businessman, and her mother Ai Oizumi Shay. Her mom is described as half-Japanese, half-Russian.
Her father founded defense contractor Pacific Architects and Engineers. Her brother Allen stepped in as CEO after their father died in 1995. Both Anna and her brother Allen became heirs to the company fortune after selling Pacific Architects to Lockheed Martin.
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Stars of Bling Empire reacted to the 62 year old’s death.
“You never know when your last goodbye will be,” Kevin Kreider said on Instagram. So unexpected and wished when I saw you last for lunch I would have taken a moment to smell the roses and had one last adventure with you.”
“You are truly one of a kind and we will miss you forever,” Mi Li also said on Instagram.
“Anna Shay was the real-life “Auntie Mame,” sweeping all of us up into her spontaneous and preposterous adventures, while gently offering us her common sense wisdom during our most challenging times,” Bling Empire Executive Producer Jeff Jenkins wrote on Instagram. “She didn’t care much for her “bling” but deeply loved her son and her parents. I adored her. The show Bling Empire would not have existed without her.”
She is survived by her son Kenny Kemp, according to Wrap.
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