Bling Empire star Anna Shay has died at the age of 62 after unexpectedly suffering a stroke. Shay’s family confirmed her passing in a statement to PEOPLE Monday, praising her as the “brightest ray of sunshine” before her death. Shay was a fan favorite on the Netflix reality show, which premiered in 2021.
“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 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.”
Videos by PopCulture.com
Shay last posted on Instagram in December, wishing her fans happy holidays and giving a “very special” thanks to Netflix. Shay is survived by son Kenny Kemp and her grandchildren. In April, Netflix revealed it would not be moving forward with a fourth season of Bling Empire, which followed the luxurious lives of wealthy Asian Americans in Los Angeles, nor a second season of its New York-based spinoff.
Shay’s eccentricities and wealth made her an instant favorite on Bling Empire, which she addressed in good humor during a February 2021 interview with Paper Magazine. Asked about the overwhelmingly positive reaction to her debut, Shay answered with a laugh, “Well, perhaps because I’m the oldest one. No I am though, for real. I don’t know. If somebody asks me about something I’m going to say it straight up, nothing to hide. I don’t really like gossiping. If you’re gonna offend somebody, yes I will counter back. I’m not sure why the fans singled me out, but I want thank everybody that has been there for me on Instagram and social media, and even on my emails. It’s just all very new to me.”
Shay’s fashion sense is another part of her legacy, but the reality personality always kept a grounded look at the designer brands she so loved. “My mother would always tell me, ‘You can love as many designers as you want, but be yourself, don’t let the clothes wear you,’” she said. “So I would, for example, wear a Chanel suit with t-shirts from Target. Target makes great t-shirts.”
Most Viewed
-
TV talk show with female celebrity flat vector illustration. Woman sitting on sofa and talking with host, discussing news in studio. Videographers filming broadcasting. Television, interview concept -
THESE FRIENDS OF MINE (A.K.A. ELLEN) – "The Boyfriend Stealer" – Airdate: August 30, 1994. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) JOHN MULROONEY;ELLEN DEGENERES -
(Credit: Rafa Jodar / Getty Images) -
A ring of vibrant marigold flowers with glowing candles at the center, set against a dark background. (Credit: Eduardo Monroy Husillos / Getty Images) -
NEW YORK CITY – DECEMBER 19: "Toil and Trouble" – Elsbeth is thrown into the world of television after the showrunner of a long-running police procedural is brutally murdered in his office, and although it appears to be the act of a disgruntled fan, she begins to suspect the show's longtime star Regina Coburn (Laurie Metcalf) who yearns for artistic fulfillment. Meanwhile, Judge Crawford (Michael Emerson) continues to be a thorn in Elsbeth's side, on the CBS original series ELSBETH, Thursday, Dec. 19 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs). Pictured (L-R): Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni and Carra Patterson as Kaya Blanke. (Photo by Michael Parmelee/CBS via Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 13: (L-R) Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom attend the 10th Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on April 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Breakthrough Prize)
