Lee Najjar, who The Real Housewives of Atlanta fans know as Kim Zolciak’s ex “Big Poppa,” has died. He was 68.
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner confirmed to TMZ that Najjar died on Saturday, April 18. His cause of death was not immediately available.
“I love you,” Lee’s daughter Katelin Najjar wrote via her Instagram Story on Tuesday, April 21, when confirming the news. “I loved when he wrote me cards, he knew it meant everything to me.”
Katelin also shared a post from a close friend who shared a glimpse into Lee’s private life away from the spotlight.
“It’s so hard to imagine life without Lee, but who he was and what he meant to those who knew and loved him will never leave us,” the tribute post read. “He had such a profound impact on my life, and I feel so fortunate to have shared so many unforgettable moments and life experiences with him and because of him.”
Katelin’s friend continued, “@Katelin-Najjar and Lee were incredibly close and shared a special bond. He would do anything to make her happy, including putting up with our shenanigans day in and day out for decades.”
The Atlanta real estate investor never appeared on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Kim, 47, however, spoke often about the mystery man who helped fund her lavish lifestyle in the show’s initial seasons before they split.
“Big Poppa and I ended it,” Kim told Luxury Handbag Shopping back in 2009 at the Fox Reality Channel’s Really Awards. “At the end of the day, he will always be the love of my life, but it’s time for me to move on.”
In a separate blog post for Bravo, Kim responded to critics who questioned just how close she was to Big Poppa.
“The subject of cheating came up, and I immediately knew Big Poppa was going to be discussed,” she wrote in November 2010. “They insisted that I was cheating because Big Poppa was legally married. NO! The way I see it, if you are separated and live on opposite sides of the country, then there is NO relationship. Also Poppa and I lived together for quite some time so … THANK YOU!”
Kim has yet to publicly comment on Big Poppa’s death.
While pop culture fans may remember Lee for being involved in a Real Housewives storyline, friends are remembering the businessman in other ways.
“Not only was Lee a smart businessman, he was genuinely funny. I’m going to miss his one-liners and his sense of humor so much,” Katelin’s friend shared via an Instagram Story. “He was incredibly witty and passed that trait down to Katelin. Over the last few days, Katelin and I have been reminiscing about so many beautiful memories, and I know we’ll continue talking about him and keeping his memory alive forever.”
