Lee Najjar, 'Big Poppa,' Dead at 68: Kim Zolciak's Ex-Husband
Lee Najjar, the real estate investor and former boyfriend of 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Kim Zolciak, has passed away at the age of 68. Najjar's daughter, Katelin, confirmed his death on Instagram Stories.
Lee Najjar's Death and Family
Najjar's cause of death has not been revealed, but his daughter shared a heartwarming video of the two dancing in a car and wrote, "I love you," before posting a second image that showed him in a black suit. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their children: Katelin, Jeremy, Jared, and Jamen.
Lee Najjar and Kim Zolciak's Relationship
- During Season 1 of 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' in 2008, Najjar was introduced as Zolciak's wealthy partner, known as "Big Poppa."
- Zolciak never publicly named Najjar on the show but hinted at their relationship, stating that he was the one behind her luxurious lifestyle.
Kim Zolciak's Past Comments on Lee Najjar
In an interview with People ahead of the Season 1 reunion, Zolciak described Najjar as "a great person" and said, "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."
- When asked about Najjar's marital status, Zolciak said he was still legally married but estranged from his wife.
- She also stated that Najjar was "the love of my life" during their breakup in 2009 and later told People that they got back together the following year.
Kim Zolciak's Past Marriages
Zolciak has been married twice before Najjar's passing. Her first marriage was to Daniel Toce from 2001 to 2003, and she later married Kroy Biermann in 2011. The couple separated in 2023.
Zolciak's on-again, off-again relationship with Najjar has been a major storyline in the past, and his death has once again brought attention to their complicated history.
Trigger Warning: This article mentions death. Reader discretion is advised.