Lynn Ban, a jewelry designer and star of the Netflix reality series “Bling Empire: New York,” has passed away following emergency brain surgery due to a skiing accident. The news was announced by her son, Sebastian, on Instagram on Wednesday.
“She always had a smile on her face, even during her recovery,” he wrote. “She was a fighter until the end and is the strongest woman I know.”
Last month, Ban shared that she was on vacation in Aspen with her family when she fell while skiing on Christmas Eve. Initially, she was cleared by ski patrol but later began experiencing a headache. Following a recommendation from a paramedic, she underwent a CAT scan, which revealed a brain bleed.
Although her son did not specify the cause of death, he indicated that she passed away on Monday, asking fans to stay informed. In a heartfelt tribute, he included several family photos, sharing, “As a final message to my mum, I will miss you forever. To end with something she always told me: ‘I love you more than life itself, mum.'”
“Bling Empire: New York” serves as a spinoff of the original “Bling Empire” series, which follows wealthy Asian American socialites in Los Angeles. The New York version maintains the same premise focused on socialites living in the city.
Dorothy Wang, another star of the spinoff, noted that Ban radiated joy whenever she spoke of her son. “While she loved fashion and looks, what truly mattered to her was always you and your father, her tribe,” Wang said. “We are all heartbroken.”
Born in Singapore, Ban founded her own jewelry label, Lynn Ban Jewelry, catering to numerous celebrities, including Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Notably, Beyoncé showcased Ban’s designs during her 2018 Vogue photoshoot for the prestigious September issue.
Rihanna expressed her disbelief over Ban’s passing on Instagram, stating, “This is too much!!! Lynn, you will always be our fairy godmother! Love you forever and always!”
Drena De Niro, the daughter of actor Robert De Niro, extended her condolences to Ban’s family, calling her “wonderful, wildly talented, generous, warm, and beautiful inside and out.”
Ban shared a deep personal and professional connection with her husband, Jett Kain, who was also her business partner. In an Instagram post celebrating their 30 years together in August, she affectionately referred to him as her “favorite photographer.”
Credit: NBC News
