Lee Najjar Net Worth

Madie Homenick 18 Jun 2025

What is Lee Najjar's net worth?

Lee Najjar is a Puerto Rican-born real estate investor and former reality television personality who became widely known for his extravagant lifestyle, celebrity connections, and a turbulent fall from financial grace. He rose to fame in the late 2000s as the off-camera benefactor of Kim Zolciak on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," where he was referred to as "Big Poppa." At the height of his success, Najjar controlled a vast real estate portfolio valued in the hundreds of millions and lived in one of Atlanta's most ostentatious homes. But following the 2008 financial crisis, Najjar's empire reportedly crumbled under debt, foreclosures, and legal scrutiny. His story is a vivid example of the boom-and-bust cycle that defined an era of speculative real estate.

Early Career in Real Estate

Najjar 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, he had accumulated dozens of assets including Union Station Mall, Loehmann's Plaza, Andrews Square, and Bella Palazzo. At one point, his holdings were estimated to be worth over $220 million and generated more than $20 million in net operating income annually. His access to generous bank loans, particularly from Integrity Bank in Alpharetta, fueled rapid expansion. But this highly leveraged strategy would later prove disastrous.

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Fame, Flash, and "Big Poppa"

Najjar became a pop culture figure in 2008 when he was publicly identified as "Big Poppa," the wealthy mystery man romantically linked to "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Zolciak. Though he initially declined to confirm or deny the relationship, photographs and court filings confirmed the connection. Around the same time, Najjar's flamboyant lifestyle was broadcast on MTV's "Teen Cribs" and HGTV's "Million Dollar Rooms." He was known to host lavish parties attended by celebrities like Dallas Austin, and regularly appeared in gossip columns for his opulence and mystery.

Buckhead Mansion

Najjar's most recognizable asset was his Buckhead estate at 490 West Paces Ferry Road, a 25,000-square-foot mansion located across from the Georgia Governor's Mansion. Originally built in 1910 and expanded over several decades, the home featured Mediterranean-inspired architecture and over-the-top decor, including $2 million in gold gilding, 19 fireplaces, 9 bedrooms, 12 full bathrooms, three wine cellars, a hair salon, a recording studio, and a private theater.

The mansion was featured on "Teen Cribs," "Million Dollar Rooms," and in films like "Zombieland" and "The Three Stooges." Najjar purchased the home during the real estate boom and transformed it into one of the most ostentatious properties in the Southeast. It was first listed for $25 million in 2009 but failed to sell for years, eventually going into foreclosure in 2015. 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. Here's a video tour of his former mansion:

Financial Problems

The 2008 financial crash reportedly triggered the unraveling of Najjar's empire. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Lee reportedly defaulted on more than $45 million in loans and lost multiple shopping centers, a private jet share, and his St. Marlo Country Club mansion. Integrity Bank's failure in 2008, attributed in part to over-lending to clients like Najjar, cost the FDIC over $200 million and led to legal action against the bank's directors. Court filings and tenant complaints described deferred maintenance, unpaid bills, and property decline across Najjar's portfolio. Najjar blamed local officials and market conditions for his inability to recover, stating that he had always prided himself on turning bad properties into good ones.

Life After the Spotlight

Najjar retained ownership of several valuable properties and continued to host charity events, including fundraisers for domestic violence survivors. Known for his charisma and celebrity connections, he remained a familiar name in Atlanta social circles for several years. Najjar has been married to his wife Kimberly for decades and is the father of four children. He has kept a low public profile in recent years and no longer actively courts the media. His legacy as a symbol of Atlanta's real estate boom—and bust—continues to resonate, particularly among fans of reality television and luxury real estate.