ATLANTA — Big Brother contestant Mickey Lee has died at the age of 35, her family announced this week, following a sudden health crisis that included multiple cardiac arrests.
A Sudden and Shocking Loss
Lee passed away on Christmas Day in the early evening hours, according to a statement her family shared on her verified Instagram account. The family described her death as a “transition,” and said Lee had captured the hearts of audiences nationwide through her appearance on the CBS reality competition series.
According to relatives, her cardiac arrests came as a complication following a bout with the flu, which led to her hospitalization in the days before her death.
A GoFundMe page set up to help with medical costs described the ordeal as a crisis that placed heavy emotional and financial strain on Lee and her loved ones, and the campaign had raised close to 33,000 dollars toward its 40,000 dollar goal at the time of her passing.
Lee was originally from Jacksonville, Florida, but had made her home in Atlanta, where she worked as an event curator and creative professional outside of her time on television. She was known for bringing energy and authenticity to every room she entered, traits that made her stand out during her season on Big Brother.
Remembered for Her Spirit on Season 27
Lee competed on season 27 of Big Brother, which aired during the summer of 2025 and marked the most recent installment of the long-running competition series. She quickly became one of the most talked-about houseguests of the season, generating strong reactions from viewers who either loved her boldness or found her polarizing.
She was evicted from the house in week eight by a lopsided vote, finishing in tenth place overall. In an exit interview after leaving the show, Lee said she was actually glad to go when she did, since it gave her a chance to enjoy life before returning for the finale.
Her family’s statement emphasized that she would be remembered for the joy she brought into so many lives and for the real connections she built both on camera and off. Several of her former castmates paid tribute to her online in the days following the announcement, describing her as a true friend and a genuine presence in the house.
Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves also shared memories of a recent conversation with Lee, in which Lee opened up about long-standing health struggles, including being born with a heart condition and surviving a serious ATV accident years earlier.
Fans of the show flooded social media with condolences, many saying they were shocked by how quickly her condition had turned fatal after what began as a common flu. Tributes continue to pour in from both fellow contestants and viewers who followed her journey through the Big Brother house this past summer.
Information regarding funeral arrangements and survivors has not yet been made public. Lee’s family has asked for privacy as they grieve, while thanking supporters for their prayers and continued outpouring of love during this difficult time.
