Julie Chen Moonves is mourning the loss of Big Brother alum Mickey Lee and sharing new details about the health struggles the late reality star carried throug her life.
The longtime Big Brother host paid tribute to Lee on Instagram on Friday (Dec. 26), a day after news broke that Lee had died at age 35. Alongside a photo of the two together, Chen Moonves reflected on a recent conversation that felt especially poignant.
Chen Moonves said that two months ago, she interviewed Lee on her podcast God 101, where Lee opened up about being born with a hole in her heart. In the same conversation, Lee also spoke about surviving a devastating ATV accident as an adult that she was told should have been fatal.
According to Chen Moonves, Lee viewed her survival as a sign of faith and purpose.
“God kept her alive,” the host wrote, adding that Lee’s death felt like a return home. She closed her message by expressing prayers for Lee’s family and loved ones as they grieve the loss.
The official Big Brother social media account echoed the sentiment, calling the news “truly heartbreaking” and extending condolences to Lee’s family, friends, fellow houseguests, and fans.
Lee’s family first announced her death on Christmas Day through a statement shared on her Instagram account. They described her as a beloved figure whose authenticity and warmth resonated with audiences during her time on the show. The family asked for privacy as they navigate the loss and noted that memorial details would be shared at a later time.
In the days before her passing, a GoFundMe campaign revealed that Lee had been hospitalized after suffering a series of cardiac arrests, leaving her in intensive care. The fundraiser described the medical emergency as sudden and overwhelming, both emotionally and financially, and by the time of this writing had raised more than $35,000 toward its goal.
Fellow Big Brother alumni also shared messages of remembrance, praising Lee’s spirit and lasting impact.