Lee Najjar Dead: Real Housewives of Atlanta’s ‘Big Poppa’ Dies at 68 | Kim Zolciak, Lee Najjar, Real Housewives of Atlanta, RIP | Celebrity News and Gossip | Entertainment, Photos and Videos

Lee Najjar has died at the age of 68.

The Atlanta real estate developer, also known as “Big Poppa,” the former partner of Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak, passed away on April 18.

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The news was confirmed by his daughter Katelin via Instagram Story, in which she shared an update from a loved one.

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“If you know me, you know Katelin has been my other half for over 25 years. The Najjars have always been a second family to me, and I’m endlessly grateful for each of them. 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.”

“@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 loved Kimberly and all of his kids so deeply. I’ve heard the story of how he and Kim first met so many times, and it never once got old. 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. 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. ❤️”

“Lee Lee, you will be deeply missed. I know you’re in heaven listening to Amr Diab and eating grape leaves. Please keep the Najjar family in your prayers.”

A cause of death has not been made public.

“I loved when he wrote me cards, he knew it meant everything to me,” Katelin also wrote along with a photo of handwritten card from her father.

Lee was featured off-camera in RHOA as the man who was funding Kim‘s lifestyle while reportedly still married to another woman. She insisted he was separated from his wife.

“We were engaged. And he’s a great person. He’s still a part of my everyday life at this point. I don’t know what the future holds. I’m crazy about him. And he’s great to my girls. He is legally married, but he’s estranged from his wife. It’s kind of like Shereé [Whitfield]. I always give this analogy. Shereé’s been going through a divorce for three years. Sometimes things take a while to move forward,” she told People in 2008.

She said they broke up in 2009, then said they were back together in 2010. She later met Kroy Biermann, and then they got married in 2011 before he filed for divorce in 2023.

He was reportedly married to Kimberly Najjar, and they share two kids: Katelin and Jeremy.

Our thoughts are with Lee Najjar‘s loved ones at this difficult time. RIP. We have sadly lost many stars in 2026.