'Bling Empire' Star Anna Shay Dead from a Stroke at 62 (Exclusive)

PEOPLE can confirm that the 'Bling Empire' matriarch has died, with her family sharing Shay will be "forever missed"

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,” her family said in a statement. “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.” Shay appeared on Bling Empire starting in its inaugural season on Netflix in 2021, quickly becoming a fan favorite. "Anna Shay is half-Japanese and half-Russian and super, super wealthy," Kane Lim said during a confessional in season 1. Though Lim said Shay's money was accrued from "weapons,” Shay disputed the claim. “I asked him, 'Why did you say my dad was in arms?'" she told PEOPLE. "He goes, 'I don't know.' He thought he knew, but maybe he didn't know and was just guessing."