Kim Zolciak’s Ex ‘Big Poppa’ Dead at 68

Kim Zolciak’s ex, Lee Naijar, who she famously only referred to as “Big Poppa” during her time on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, has died.

According to a report from TMZ published on Wednesday, April 22, Naijar died at the age of 68 on Saturday, April 18. His cause of death is unknown at this time, but his daughter, Kateline, seemingly confirmed the news when she posted several clips and photos to her Instagram Stories over the last 24 hours.

When fans first met Zolciak, 47, on the first season of RHOA in 2007, she remained tight-lipped about Naijar, who was married to another woman (also named Kim) at the same time he was funding the Don’t Be Tardy alum’s luxury lifestyle. The two were seemingly still married at his time of death.

However, viewers may have already seen Naijar on their TV screens and didn’t know it.

In 2009, Naijar and his wife, along with their two children – Katelin and Jeremy – appeared on an episode of MTV’s Teen Cribs. The episode showed off the family’s lavish lifestyle in a mansion that boasted an in-house salon, Naijar’s “gentlemen’s pub,” home theater and more.

“We didn’t mean to make it this luxurious house or be better than anybody else. We’re humble people,” Naijar said in the episode. “Just because we’ve accomplished this doesn’t put us above anybody. And all the children know that.”