Bling Empire fans were met with shocking news today, as the death of cast member Anna Shay was officially confirmed by her family. Recognized for her razor-ship wit and the distinctive energy she brought to the show, the billionaire heiress cemented her status as the reality show’s ultimate fan favorite.
To honor her life, here are 10 things to know about the beloved star.
1. Anna Shay was 62 years old.
A family statement provided to the Associated Press confirmed the socialite’s death due to a stroke.
“It saddens our hearts to announce that Anna Shay, a loving mother, grandmother, charismatic star, and our own brightest ray of sunshine, has passed away,” the statement read. “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.”
2. Anna Shay was of Japanese and Russian descent.
The socialite was born to Edward Shay, an American businessman born and raised in Japan. Meanwhile, her mother was Ai Oizumi Shay, who was of half-Japanese and half-Russian heritage. Aside from Anna, the couple had their son Allen, who took over their business upon the death of their father in 1995. The family matriarch passed away 20 years later in 2015.
3. Anna Shay was a billionaire heiress.
Considered the richest cast member in Bling Empire, Anna’s father Edward founded Pacific Architects and Engineers in 1955, which catered to arms and defense technology trade. It was also reported that Anna and her brother inherited their father’s shares, eventually selling them for $1.2 billion in cash. This increased Anna’s net worth to approximately $600 million.
4. Anna Shay was married four times.
The Netflix celebrity was married and divorced four times, however, not much is known about her former spouses. One of her marriages gave her a son, the now-27-year-old Kenny Kemp who had a brief appearance in Bling Empire.
5. Anna Shay thought she was staying behind the scenes for Bling Empire.
Being a reality show star wasn’t in her plans, as Bling Empire was more of a product of fate. In an interview with OprahMag.com, the series’ executive producer Jeff Jenkins–who notably produced Keeping Up With the Kardashians–approached her with the opportunity, which Anna believed to be an off-camera role.
“The next thing I knew, I was sitting in front of the camera. I'm really quite shy, so it was hard. I never thought about doing this, especially at my age,” she said.
6. Anna Shay had an impressive diamond jewelry collection.
Her life-long love affair with jewelry started at a ripe age, with one of her favorite pieces bequeathed by her parents. Anna’s collection of exquisite baubles includes a necklace from Vartan’s Fine Jewelry, which she built together with her jeweler in one-and-a-half years. The piece in question started out as a diamond necklace, and later included an emerald, a yellow diamond, and a white diamond.
But among her lavish collection of shimmering Boucheron pieces and more, Anna’s favorite remained to be her mother’s first engagement ring.
7. Anna Shay was once robbed at gunpoint and then “ignored” by the robber.
Anna lived a colorful life, as proven by her unique anecdotes. Talking to Town and Country, the socialite recalled a moment when she was held at gunpoint at a fast food drive-through. The perpetrator had taken her friends’ wallets except hers. Affronted, she jumped out of the car and handed her wallet.
“They came back and I said, ‘Here. Next time, three girls equals three wallets,’” Anna narrated.
8. Anna Shay’s pet peeve was bragging about wealth.
Despite her opulent background, Anna considered boasting about one's own wealth as a major no-no.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, the heiress said: “I think the ones who talk about it don’t really have it. Why would you wear something to show it off? My mother came from aristocracy, and my dad came from the South Side of Chicago. They told me that if they ever saw the clothes wearing me or the cars driving me, they would take it all away and never buy anything for me ever again. I’m glad they did that.”
9. Anna Shay was known for her generosity.
The billionaire daughter knew when to shower others with her own blessings, as Anna also had a philanthropic streak. In a previous interview, she recalled a time when she found a homeless man at a flower market at four in the morning, who introduced himself as Elvis. Later on, she put him up in an apartment and supplied him with groceries for a month.
According to the LA Times, Anna was also noted to gift a salesperson the same luxury item she brought from a store. During trips to the retail store Target, the socialite would often splurge on groceries, only to give them away to those who need them.
10. Anna Shay was a Bling Empire fan favorite.
For Bling Empire fans, Anna is a recognizable name among their fold due to her ready quips. With several compilations of her “Best Burns” and her dazzling moments throughout her run, the billionaire’s unique energy will always remain immortalized.
Rest in peace, Anna!
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