Lee Najjar, famously known as ‘Big Poppa’ from Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” and the former boyfriend of Kim Zolciak, has passed away at the age of 68.
The news of the real estate developer’s death was confirmed by his daughter, Katelin Najjar, in an Instagram post on Tuesday. According to a report by TMZ, Najjar died on Saturday, April 18.
While the cause of his death remains undisclosed, the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner has verified his passing.
Though Najjar never appeared on the show, he was a significant figure in Zolciak’s early storylines on “RHOA,” often referred to as her alleged ‘sugar daddy.’
Despite their relationship ending in 2009, Zolciak had once described Najjar as the ‘love of [her] life.’
In tribute to her father, Katelin shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram Story, posting black and white footage of their time together with the words, “I love you.”
Kim Zolciak’s ex-boyfriend Lee Najjar – who was referred to as ‘Big Poppa’ on Bravo’s The Real Housewives Of Atlanta – has died at the age of 68; Najjar seen in 2009
In a follow-up post, she shared a birthday card her father had penned for her that read: ‘You will always have my whole heart. I am so proud of you and your accomplishments and always love you.’
Katelin captioned the photo, ‘I loved when he wrote me cards, he knew it meant everything to me,’
A close friend of Katelin’s, who referred to the Najjars as their ‘second family,’ spoke of Katelin’s ‘incredibly close’ bond with her father in a separate Instagram Story post, which Katelin re-posted for her followers to see.
They also provided a rare glimpse into Najjar’s life, which he mostly lived outside of the spotlight unlike his reality TV star ex-girlfriend Zolciak.
‘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. 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,’ the tribute began.
The friend described Najjar as ‘a smart businessman’ who was also ‘incredibly witty’ and ‘genuinely funny.’
‘I’m going to miss his one-liners and his sense of humor so much.’
![Zolciak previously called Najjar the 'love of [her] life' despite their romance coming to an end in 2009; Zolciak seen in 2020](https://i.dailymail.com/1s/2026/04/22/23/108086269-15757085-image-a-1_1776896352511.jpg)
Zolciak previously called Najjar the ‘love of [her] life’ despite their romance coming to an end in 2009; Zolciak seen in 2020
Najjar’s cause of death is currently unknown, but his passing has been confirmed by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner; seen with wife Kimberly Najjar in 2010
Of his relationship with Katelin, the friend wrote, ‘@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.’
He is survived by his wife Kimberly Najjar and their two adult children: daughter Katelin and son Jeremy.
Najjar built his reported $50 million fortune as a successful real estate investor in Atlanta, Georgia.
He famously lived in a massive $25 million mega-mansion in Northern Atlanta’s affluent Buckhead neighborhood, which was previously featured on MTV Teen Cribs.
The 25,000 square-foot home was sold in 2023 for a reported $8.5 million, according to Buckhead.com.
Najjar became famous among Bravo viewers as ‘Big Poppa’ back in 2008 as his romance with Zolciak served as a major storyline in seasons one and two.
Najjar appeared to be bankrolling Zolciak’s costly Atlanta lifestyle, which included providing for her two daughters, as well as her budding music career.
The real estate mogul’s daughter Katelin Najjar shared the news in an Instagram post on Tuesday
In a follow-up IG Story post, Katelin shared a birthday card her father had penned for her
Najjar built his reported $50 million fortune as a successful real estate investor in Atlanta, Georgia; seen with Dallas Austin in 2009
Adding to the drama, Najjar was also reportedly still married but separated while dating Zolciak.
Zolciak ultimately split from Najjar in late 2009 after he gave her a large engagement ring, when she reportedly discovered he was not divorced.
‘I’m not engaged anymore,’ she confirmed to Us Weekly that October.
‘Big Papa and I ended it. At the end of the day, he will always be the love of my life, but it’s time for me to move on.’
The following year, Zolciak took to social media to shutdown rumors that her relationship with Najjar was considered ‘cheating.’
‘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,’ she wrote in a blog post for Bravo titled Poppa Problems back in November 2010.
She added, ‘Also Poppa and I lived together for quite some time so … THANK YOU!’
After ending her romance with Najjar, Zolciak began dating then-Atlanta Falcons football player Kroy Biermann.
The couple married in a $1 million ceremony in 2011.
Najjar became famous among Bravo viewers as ‘Big Poppa’ back in 2008 as his romance with Zolciak served as a major storyline in seasons one and two; Zolciak seen in 2025
Following her split from Najjar, Zolciak went on to meet and marry football player Kroy Biermann. The pair split in 2023 and are currently in the midst of a bitter divorce battle; seen in 2022
Biermann legally adopted Zolciak’s two daughters from a previous relationship.
The couple also welcomed four children together – KJ, 14, Kash, 13, and twins Kaia and Kane, 12 – during their over decade-long marriage.
However, their family life, which was documented on the Bravo spin-off Don’t Be Tardy, took a sad turn when Zolciak and Biermann entered into a nasty split in 2023.
The exes are still in the midst of their divorce battle, which has included fights over custody of their four kids.
