Lee Najjar, born in the 1950s in Puerto Rico, was an American real estate developer and reality television personality. He was widely known as “Big Poppa” on the early seasons of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, where he served as the off-camera benefactor of cast member Kim Zolciak.
Lee Najjar passed away on April 18, 2026, at the age of 68.
Who is Lee Najjar?
Lee Najjar was a Puerto Rican-born real estate developer based in Atlanta, Georgia. At the peak of his career in the mid-2000s, he controlled a real estate portfolio valued at over $200 million, which included shopping centers, luxury residential properties, and commercial developments across the Southeast.
He became a pop culture figure in 2008 when his identity as “Big Poppa” on The Real Housewives of Atlanta became publicly known. For two seasons, his face did not appear on camera, creating one of early reality television’s most talked-about mysteries.
His Buckhead mansion at 490 West Paces Ferry Road, a 25,000-square-foot estate across from the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, became a symbol of his wealth. The property featured on MTV’s Teen Cribs, HGTV’s Million Dollar Rooms, and appeared in the films Zombieland and The Three Stooges.
Lee Najjar died on April 18, 2026, at the age of 68. His death was confirmed by Celebrity Net Worth and multiple entertainment outlets.
Early Life of Lee Najjar
Lee Najjar was born in Puerto Rico in the late 1950s. He later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he pursued a career in real estate development.
Details about his parents and siblings remain private. Najjar rarely discussed his early life publicly, and little was confirmed beyond his Puerto Rican origins and his move to Atlanta.
He began investing in Atlanta-area real estate in the 1990s, focusing on older shopping centers, undeveloped land in Florida, and high-end residential properties in Georgia and California. By the mid-2000s, his portfolio had grown to include dozens of assets across multiple states.
His move to Atlanta proved a turning point. The city’s growing real estate market in the late 1990s and early 2000s gave him room to build a business empire that would eventually attract national media attention.
Lee Najjar Age
Lee Najjar was 68 years old at the time of his death on April 18, 2026. His zodiac sign was Scorpio, based on his estimated birth period in the late 1950s. His death marked the end of a career that had spanned four decades in commercial and residential real estate.
Lee Najjar Ethnicity and Nationality
Lee Najjar held American nationality and was of Puerto Rican descent. He was born in Puerto Rico and later established himself in the United States, primarily in Atlanta, Georgia.
His Puerto Rican heritage remained part of his public identity, though he kept most family details private throughout his life.
Lee Najjar Height and Weight
Lee Najjar’s exact height and weight are not publicly confirmed. He maintained a notable physical presence in his appearances on Real Housewives of Atlanta and Teen Cribs. His build reflected a lifestyle of considerable wealth and leisure during the peak years of his career.
Lee Najjar Career
Lee Najjar built his business from the ground up after arriving in Atlanta in the 1990s. His early focus included older commercial properties, undeveloped parcels, and suburban retail centers that others had overlooked.
Early Career and Real Estate Empire
By the mid-2000s, Najjar had assembled a portfolio that included Union Station Mall, Loehmann’s Plaza, Andrews Square, and Bella Palazzo. He also acquired high-end residential properties in Georgia and California, along with a private jet share and a membership at St. Marlo Country Club.
His most recognizable property was the Buckhead mansion at 490 West Paces Ferry Road, originally built in 1910 and expanded over decades. Najjar transformed it into one of Atlanta’s most discussed private residences, installing over $2 million in gold gilding, 19 fireplaces, nine bedrooms, 12 full bathrooms, three wine cellars, a hair salon, a recording studio, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
The mansion drew national television coverage. It appeared on MTV’s Teen Cribs in 2009 alongside his family, on HGTV’s Million Dollar Rooms, and as a filming location for the movies Zombieland and The Three Stooges.
Reality TV and Big Poppa
In 2008, Najjar became a central figure in The Real Housewives of Atlanta without ever appearing fully on camera. During Seasons 1 and 2, cast member Kim Zolciak referred to him only as “Big Poppa,” keeping his identity shielded from viewers.
Najjar funded Kim’s lifestyle throughout that period, covering a Range Rover, a townhouse, designer gifts, and a portion of her music career, including her 2008 single “Tardy for the Party.” His identity was eventually confirmed by tabloid journalists and court filings in 2009.
He also hosted lavish events attended by prominent Atlanta figures, including music producer Dallas Austin. His party lifestyle and real estate power made him a recurring subject of gossip coverage during the late 2000s.
Legal Issues and Financial Collapse
The 2008 financial crisis caused serious damage to Najjar’s empire. He reportedly defaulted on more than $45 million in loans and lost multiple shopping centers, his private jet share, and the St. Marlo mansion.
The Buckhead mansion was first listed for sale at $25 million in 2009. It failed to find a buyer for years. The property entered foreclosure in 2015 and sold at a courthouse auction for $1.358 million. It eventually changed hands several times before finally selling in 2023 for $8.5 million.
Integrity Bank’s 2008 collapse, attributed in part to over-lending to clients including Najjar, cost the FDIC more than $200 million and resulted in legal action.
In 2009, Najjar faced an arrest in Fulton County after his public identification as Kim Zolciak’s “Big Poppa.” In 2012, he was arrested again after failing to appear in court on allegations related to not maintaining a stormwater system at one of his properties. A $75,000 fine followed that arrest.
Lee Najjar Wife
Lee Najjar was married to Kimberly Najjar for several decades. She largely stayed out of the spotlight during the Big Poppa media coverage and maintained a private presence throughout his time in the public eye.
The two remained together despite the publicity surrounding Lee’s relationship with Kim Zolciak. Kimberly was active on Instagram and posted family-oriented content with Lee over the years.
Their marriage spanned the height of his real estate success, the financial crisis, and the legal challenges that followed. The family remained close-knit throughout those years.
Lee Najjar Children
Lee and Kimberly Najjar have two children together: Jeremy Najjar and Katelin Najjar.
Jeremy Najjar followed his father’s entrepreneurial path. He is the founder and CEO of Smash Entertainment INC., based in West Hollywood, California.
Katelin Najjar became known in the Atlanta social scene and built a following as a blogger and social media personality. During the 2009 Teen Cribs episode, it was revealed that Lee bought Katelin the same white Range Rover he had purchased for Kim Zolciak.
Lee Najjar Net Worth
Lee Najjar’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated at $5 million as of 2026. At his peak in the mid-2000s, his real estate portfolio was valued at over $200 million, with dozens of commercial and residential assets across the Southeast.
The 2008 financial crisis collapsed much of that wealth. Foreclosures, loan defaults exceeding $45 million, and years of legal battles eroded his holdings. The Buckhead mansion sold for $1.358 million at a 2015 courthouse auction after years of attempted private sales at $25 million.
His net worth at death reflected the long-term impact of the financial crisis on a business model that relied heavily on speculative real estate and commercial development.
Lee Najjar Social Media
Lee Najjar maintained a private and limited social media presence throughout his life. His wife Kimberly Najjar was more active publicly on Instagram under @kimberly_najjar, posting family content and social events.
Lee himself did not maintain a widely publicized personal account. His public presence came primarily through television appearances and news coverage rather than social media activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Lee Najjar’s net worth?
Lee Najjar’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated at $5 million. At his career peak in the mid-2000s, his real estate portfolio was valued at over $200 million before the 2008 financial crisis.
How old was Lee Najjar?
Lee Najjar was 68 years old when he died on April 18, 2026. He was born in Puerto Rico in the late 1950s.
Who was Lee Najjar married to?
Lee Najjar was married to Kimberly Najjar. The couple remained together through decades of business success, public controversy, and financial difficulty.
Where was Lee Najjar born?
Lee Najjar was born in Puerto Rico and later moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he built his real estate career.
What is Lee Najjar famous for?
Lee Najjar is famous for being “Big Poppa” on The Real Housewives of Atlanta Seasons 1 and 2, where he secretly funded cast member Kim Zolciak’s lavish lifestyle.
When did Lee Najjar die?
Lee Najjar died on April 18, 2026, at the age of 68. Specific medical details were kept private by his family.
The Bottom Line
Lee Najjar built a real estate portfolio worth over $200 million by the mid-2000s, with holdings that included Union Station Mall, Loehmann’s Plaza, and one of Atlanta’s most extravagant private mansions.
He grew up in Puerto Rico and built his entire business career after relocating to Atlanta in the 1990s. His Buckhead estate, featured on Teen Cribs and Million Dollar Rooms, appeared in two major Hollywood films before selling at foreclosure auction in 2015 for just over $1 million.
Lee Najjar passed away on April 18, 2026, at age 68, survived by his wife Kimberly and their two children, Jeremy and Katelin. We hope you enjoyed reading about Lee Najjar. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!