Anna Shay, who starred in the Netflix reality show "Bling Empire," has passed away at the age of 62 after suffering a stroke, according to a statement shared by her family with CNN through Netflix on Monday. The statement described Anna as a beloved mother, grandmother, charismatic personality, and a source of joy in their lives.
Shay made her debut on "Bling Empire" in 2021 during the show's first season and continued to appear in both the second and third seasons.
"Bling Empire" followed the lives of wealthy Asian and Asian American Los Angeles elites.
Christine Chiu, Kim Lee, Kane Lim, Kevin Kreider and Kelly Mi Li starred alongside Shay in the series.
On Monday, Kreider took to his verified Instagram page to honor Shay after hearing the news. He expressed regret about not taking the time to appreciate their last lunch together and wishing for one more adventure with his friend. Meanwhile, Mi Li shared on her Instagram page that Shay was one of a kind and will be deeply missed.
Before joining the cast of "Bling Empire," Shay kept a relatively private life, despite her wealth and lifestyle being showcased on the reality series. In a recent interview with Town & Country, Shay revealed that her on-screen persona is a true reflection of who she is in real life. After spending several years caring for her son, Kenny Kemp, Shay saw the show as an opportunity to do something for herself.
Shay's early years were spent in Tokyo alongside her family until they relocated to Los Angeles. Her father, Edward Shay, was the brains behind the renowned defense contractor company, Pacific Architects and Engineers. Despite being an American, Shay's mother, Ai Oizumi Shay, had a mixed heritage of Japanese and Russian ancestry.
Shay shared with Tatler in February 2022 that giving back is a way for her to carry on her parents' legacy, who she considers to be her heroes. As reported by the outlet, Shay and her brother Allen achieved a significant milestone by selling Pacific Architects and Engineers for $1.2 billion in 2006.