Where the Socialite's Fortune Came From

Speaking of born with a silver spoon in their mouth, here's Anna Shay. The daughter of a late billionaire had it all when growing up but continues to take the humble words of wisdom her parents passed down to her. When it came to Bling Empire, she had no idea what she was getting into when she accepted a proposal from her friend, Jeff Jenkins, the series' executive producer.

Anna Shay is quite popular within the Los Angeles area, even before she came to the spotlight in front of the camera but stayed virtually hidden from the discussions of wealth. Her father, Edward A. Shay, was a top-secret defense services US and UN contractor who founded the billionaire worth Pacific Architects and Engineers (PAE) in 1955. Her mother, Ai-San, was Japanese-American.

The 60-year-old and her brother Allen simply inherited her father's fortune after he passed away in 1995. The company was later sold for $1.2 billion to Lockheed Martin in 2006, according to TVGuide. She knows the power of that kind of money, having closed down entire jewelry stores in Paris.

What Is Anna Shay's Net Worth?

Even going into 2021, Anna Shay is estimated to be worth at least or around $600 million by many sources. And that's assuming she and her brother split the sale of their father's company, PAE, halfway or 50-50. But whether she has been able to maintain that value still is another question.

Some question if she's a billionaire as well.
Photo Credit: Joseph Chen, Genlux Magazine

Over the years of the acquisition of the money from the sale, which was made by cash, she did spend quite a lot on luxury. For her status, it's probably all necessary spending. She's bought houses, and aside from her own necessities, she's letting her only son enjoy the riches as well.

Shay Reportedly Bought a $5.75 Million Mansion from Dr. Phil's Son As a Gift for Her Own Son

A testament to how Shay is still keeping a net worth of over half a billion is also her son's designer bongs and one-of-a-kind glass pipe collections. Back in 2015, her 27-year-old son, Kenny Kemp, was featured in a BuzzFeed article, calling him a "passionate stoner" & the sole heir of "hundreds of millions of dollars" and introducing his half a million dollar worth collection. And it was all hidden from even his mother in her own mansion.

Meanwhile, Variety describes him as "a hardcore cannabis aficionado".
Photo Source: Anna Shay, Instagram

It probably amazes some people to know that these one-of-a-kind glass pipes are each worth tens of thousands of dollars, mainly due to inflation over time. He was a marijuana entrepreneur, so to speak. Who is his father by the way? According to an obituary for Shay's mother, it's Ken Kemp, one of her four marriages.

Shay recently told The Oprah Magazine that an unbreakable wall comes up if someone hurts her son or her loved ones. Meanwhile, she's also given her only son the walls to enclose himself in, a mansion to live in, to be exact.

Related: How 'Bling Empire's Kelly Mi Li Built Her Self-Made Net Worth Empire

In March 2020, Variety reported that Anna Shay had purchased a 6,170-square-foot Beverly Hills villa seemingly as a gift to her son. The seller was none other than Dr. Phil's younger rockstar son, Jordan McGraw, pricing the mansion at $5.75 million. It makes sense that it could be a gift for Kenny, considering she had her own lavish mansion on the world-famous Sunset Boulevard.

Her Own House, Which Has Famous Mob Ties, Is Now on the Market

Back in December 2020, the socialite listed her Sunset Boulevard estate with an almost 9000-square-foot house for sale for $16 million. She lived in the lavish estate for nine years which she bought for $9.4 million in 2011, having renovated it to her liking. It was the same house that Bling Empire took the viewers to, and her wealth was clear from the overpriced accessories.

It's iconic in every way.
Photo Source: Redfin

The 1930s Old Hollywood-style villa reportedly was once owned by mobster Tony Milano, and legend has it that Shirly Temple lived there when she was eight years old in 1936. It also features a paddle tennis court, a four-car garage, a swimming pool, and separate guest quarters. And among her luxury cars is a white Lamborghini. She also owns a private jet, a given for her stature.