Money can’t buy you love, but it sure can buy you a lot of drama. Just ask Lee Najjar, better known as “Big Poppa” from The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
This Puerto Rican-born real estate mogul went from showering Kim Zolciak with Range Rovers to losing his $25 million mansion.
It’s a cautionary tale that reads like a modern-day Gatsby story. Except instead of dying tragically, our protagonist just filed for bankruptcy.
Image source: Google
Early Life and Education
Lee Najjar didn’t start life with a silver spoon. Born in Puerto Rico, he immigrated to the United States with big dreams and an even bigger appetite for risk. His early years remain largely private, but we know he eventually settled in Atlanta during the 1990s.
Unlike many reality TV personalities who stumbled into wealth, Najjar actually built his empire from the ground up. He focused on what he knew best: real estate.
Starting with older shopping centers and undeveloped land in Florida, he gradually expanded into high-end residential properties across Georgia and California.
By the mid-2000s, Najjar wasn’t just another real estate investor. He was the real estate investor in Atlanta. His portfolio included heavy hitters, such as Union Station Mall, Loehmann’s Plaza, Andrews Square, and the crown jewel, Bella Palazzo.
Lee Najjar started from scratch and created his own business empire through real estate
Image source: Google
Career
Najjar built his real estate empire on a simple but dangerous principle: leverage everything.
At the height of his success, his holdings were estimated to be worth over $220 million and generated more than $20 million in net operating income annually.
His secret weapon? Generous bank loans, particularly from Integrity Bank in Alpharetta. These loans fueled his rapid expansion and allowed him to snap up properties faster than his competitors could blink.
But as any financial advisor will tell you, what goes up must come down. And when the 2008 financial crisis hit, Najjar’s highly leveraged empire collapsed like a house of cards.
Love, Family, and Marriage
Lee Najjar and Kimberly Najjar live in a mansion in Buckhead
Image source: Google
While Najjar was busy building his real estate empire, he was also married to Kimberly Najjar. They had two children together: Katelin and Jeremy. By all accounts, they were a happy family living their best life in their opulent Buckhead mansion.
Then came Kim Zolciak.
The relationship that would make Najjar a household name began sometime in the late 2000s. Zolciak, then a cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, started referring to her mysterious benefactor as “Big Poppa.”
Lee Najjar’s $25 million mansion
Image source: Google
He bought her a Range Rover. He allegedly paid for her townhouse. He showered her with expensive gifts. The only problem? He was still married to his wife, Kimberly.
Najjar had insisted that he was divorcing his wife —which was clearly news to Kim Najjar— and Zolciak was flashing a massive sparkler during Season 2 of the reality show. The engagement was real, but so was his existing marriage.
The affair ended in 2009 when Zolciak finally discovered the truth. The married couple remains together today.
Zolciak discovered that Lee Najjar was married and pursuing himself, and lied to himself that he was divorcing his wife
Image source: Google
Net Worth
Lee Najjar’s net worth in 2024, adjusted for inflation, is estimated to be in the range of $50 to $100 million. But that’s likely an optimistic estimate considering his financial troubles.
At his peak, Najjar was worth well over $200 million. His Buckhead mansion alone was valued at $25 million. The mansion was featured on “Teen Cribs,” “Million Dollar Rooms,” and in films like “Zombieland” and “The Three Stooges.”
But the 2008 financial crisis changed everything. The home was auctioned on the courthouse steps for $1.358 million. It changed hands several times before finally selling in 2023 for $8.5 million.
According to reports, Najjar defaulted on more than $45 million in loans. He lost multiple shopping centers, a private jet share, and his beloved mansion.
Final Thoughts
Lee Najjar’s story is an “American Dream” classic. He built an empire, lived like a king, and lost it all when the market turned. His affair with Kim Zolciak made him famous, but his financial ruin made him infamous.
Featured image source: Google
