The heiress and Netflix star leaves behind her son, Kenny Kemp
Billionaire heiress, philanthropist and Bling Empire star Anna Shay died on June 5. She was 62. According to a family statement, Shay died of a 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,” the statement shares.
The Los Angeles socialite was born to an American businessman father, Edward Shay, and a Japanese-Russian mother, Ai Oizumi Shay. Her father was the founder of global defence contractor Pacific Architects and Engineers.
Following her father’s passing, in 1995, Shay’s brother Allen became the CEO of the company. In 2006, Shay and her brother sold the company and amassed a fortune.
Shay appeared on the popular Netflix series Bling Empire in 2021, which placed the spotlight on the luxurious lives of some of the most wealthy Asian Americans in Los Angeles. Alongside Shay, the series also featured Singaporean Kane Lim, Christine Chiu, Kim Lee and Kelly Mi Li. Shay quickly became a fan favourite, stealing the show with her savage comebacks, witty one-liners and life advice.
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Since the news of her passing, her fellow co-stars took to their respective Instagram pages to offer their condolences.
Lim shared: “You had a nonchalance about you that was mesmerising and captivated audiences around the world. I was lucky to get to know the real you… I will always remember you for your tenancy for life and resilience… continue to slay in the heavens.”
Entrepreneur Kelly Mi Li also wrote: “You were truly one of a kind and we will miss you forever.”
It’s clear that Shay has impacted many of the lives around her. Below, we pay tribute to Shay by sharing some of her most iconic quotes from the hit series.
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