Anna Shay: See Photos Of The ‘Bling Empire’ Star Who Died At 62

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June 5, 2023 4:00PM EDT

Anna Shay of ‘Bling Empire’ has passed away. As her friends, family, and fans mourn the loss of a powerful personality, a look back at some of her adventures on the Netflix show.

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Anna Shay

Anna Shay
Netflix

‘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,’ the family of the ‘Bling Empire’ star said in a statement on June 5. The matriarch of the Netflix reality television show was 62 when she had her fatal stroke. ‘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.’

 

Anna, the Russian-Japanese daughter of late billionaire Edward Shay, was the wealthiest member of ‘Bling Empire.’ Her family sold their share of the Pacific Architects & Engineers in 2006 to Lockheed Martin. The deal was an all-cash sale worth $1.2 billion. Anna’s mother passed away in 2015, leaving her the sole heiress…until her passing in 2023. Now, her son stands to inherit her fortune.

June 5, 2023, 2:51PM
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Anna Shay on ‘Bling Empire’

Anna Shay on ‘Bling Empire’
COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Anna Shay poses for a photoshoot in ‘Bling Empire.’ The show ran for three seasons. 

June 5, 2023, 2:51PM
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Anna Shay

Anna Shay
SER BAFFO/NETFLIX

Anna Shay, Kane Lim, Kelly Mi Li, Jamie Xie in season 2 of Bling Empire. There is a lot of money pictured here. 

June 5, 2023, 2:54PM
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Anna Shay & Jamie Xie

Anna Shay & Jamie Xie
Courtesy of Netflix

Anna Shay and Jaimie Xie in ‘Bling Empire.’ The show was known for it being the first reality show featuring a cast predominantly of Asian-Americans stars. 

June 5, 2023, 2:54PM
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Anna Shay & Chistine Chiu

Anna Shay & Chistine Chiu
Netflix

A blonde Anna Shay speaks with Christine Chiu in episode 1 “Necklacegate 90210” of ‘Bling Empire.’

June 5, 2023, 2:54PM
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Anna Gives Advice

Anna Gives Advice
COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Anna Shay speaks with Christine Chiu in ‘Bling Empire.’ She was always giving advice and listening to her friends’ problems. 

June 5, 2023, 2:54PM
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Anna Shay & Her Girls

Anna Shay & Her Girls
Netflix

Christine Chiu, Anna Shay, Cherie and Kelly Mi Li in episode 7 “Kevin and Kane Take Charleston” of Bling Empire. Anna took a motherly role in the series. She was also the wealthiest of them all. 

June 5, 2023, 2:54PM
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Anna Gets Shady

Anna Gets Shady
COURTESY OF NETFLIX

‘It was held as high value in the family to be private,’ Jeff Jenkins, producer of ‘Bling Empire,’ told Town and Country of the way Shay was raised, adding, “She’ll tell you the three most important people in her life are her mom and dad and her son. Well, her mom and dad are passed now, so maybe that gives her just a little bit of a feeling of their blessing to share her life.”

June 5, 2023, 2:54PM
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Anna Shay Goes Shopping

Anna Shay Goes Shopping
COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Jamie Xie and Anna Shay in episode 102 of Bling Empire. 

“I think [Jeff Jenkins is] an amazing producer, and an incredible friend. And when he said, ‘Anna, let’s work together. I would love to work with you,’ I was so thrilled. I was like, ‘I would love to work with you too.’ And that was it. The next thing I know, I’m in front of a camera,” she told Town & Country in a 2021 profile.

June 5, 2023, 2:54PM