WASHINGTON — Anna Shay, the matriarch of the Netflix reality show "Bling Empire," has died at the age of 62 after suffering a stroke, according to multiple media reports.
Shay's family confirmed her unexpected death in a statement to People and USA Today.
“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 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 62-year-old heiress quickly gained fame after appearing in season one of Netflix's "Bling Empire," which follows the lives of wealthy Asian American socialites in Los Angeles. The series drew comparisons to the blockbuster film “Crazy Rich Asians.”
In a 2021 interview, Shay told People that she didn't anticipate her success from the reality show.
"I wasn't even expecting to be in front of the camera,” she told People at the time. "I'm very shy and I went along with whatever situation was happening. I was just being me.”
Shay's last appearance on "Bling Empire" was in season three, which debuted in October 2022.
She was the daughter of Edward Shay, the founder of American defense and government services contractor Pacific Architects and Engineers, NBC reports. The Los Angeles socialite amassed a fortune after she and her brother sold their father's company after his death.
The reality star was born and raised in Japan. Her only son, Kenny Kemp, earned himself a bit of the spotlight as well, briefly appearing on the series and amassing a huge collection of pricy bongs, according to BuzzFeed News.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.