LOS ANGELES – Anna Shay, an heiress, philanthropist and breakout star of the Netflix reality series Bling Empire, has died at the age of 62.
Shay died of a stroke, according to a family statement obtained by The Associated Press on Monday. It was not immediately clear when she died.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Anna Shay, a loving mother, grandmother, charismatic star and our brightest sunshine,” the family said. “Anna taught us many life lessons about not taking life too seriously and enjoying the beautiful things. Her impact on our lives will be forever missed but will never be forgotten.”
Shay, a Los Angeles socialite, amassed a fortune after she and her brother sold her father’s company, Pacific Architects and Engineers, after his death.
She told OprahMag.com in a 2021 interview that she had no idea what she was getting into when she joined the cast of “Bling Empire,” which chronicled the life of ultra-wealthy Angelenos of Asian descent.
Originally, Shay thought her boyfriend and series executive producer Jeff Jenkins wanted her to work behind the scenes.
“The next thing I knew I was in front of the camera. I’m really quite shy, so it was difficult. I never thought about doing that, especially at my age,” she said.
The series drew comparisons to the blockbuster film Crazy Rich Asians. The series premiered in 2021 and was recently canceled after three seasons.
A fan favorite of the series, Shay was a fixture in Los Angeles high society. She was the only daughter of Edward Shay, the American billionaire and founder of defense and government contractors, and Ai-San, his half-Japanese, half-Russian wife.
Shay said in the Oprah interview that her mother once told her, “You were born in a crystal ball with a silver spoon.”
The reality star was born and raised in Japan. According to BuzzFeed News, their only son, Kenny Kemp, also garnered some attention by appearing briefly on the show and amassing a massive collection of expensive bongs.
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