Lynn Ban dead at 52: Bling Empire: New York star passes after accident

Lynn Ban - a celebrity jewellery designer and star of the Netflix show Bling Empire: New York - has passed away, aged 52, weeks after a ski accident.

Her son Sebastian announced the news on Instagram on Wednesday morning, which came less than a month after the reality TV star had undergone emergency brain surgery for her injuries.

Sebastian wrote: 'To my mums followers: My mum passed away on Monday. 

'I know she wanted to share her journey after her accident and brain surgery, so I thought she would appreciate one last post sharing the news to people who supported her. Many of you followed my mum but never got the chance to know her or meet her in person.'

Her son continued the lengthy caption by describing the woman the Singapore native was.

Sebastian said: 'I would like to take the chance to share who my mum really was. She was and always will be my best friend, the best mother to me, and someone who cared for all. 

She always had a smile on her face even when times were tough during her recovery process. She was a fighter until the end and is the strongest woman I know.

'She was the funniest and coolest mum I could ever ask for. She took care of me, my dad, and our Entire family throughout her whole life. Although she may be gone now, I will do everything I can to make sure she is never forgotten and for her life to be celebrated as it deserves to be.'

Sebastian concluded the caption with a personal memorandum for his late mother.

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Bling Empire star undergoes emergency brain surgery after horrific skiing accident

He wrote: 'As a final message to my mum, I would just like to say that I will miss you forever and to end in something she always told me “I love you more than life itself” mum.'

In the post, Sebastian shared a gallery of snaps of himself with his mother throughout the years.

There were also cute snaps with Lynn's husband and Sebastian's father Jett Kain.

The comment section was filled with many celebrities - including Rihanna - sending their condolences with even a few sending personal messages to Sebastian.

Rihanna, 36, wrote: '2025 is rocking me at this point!This is too much!!! Lynn you will always be our fairy godmother! Love you forever and always! Can’t believe I’m writing this in a comment section rn! [single tear and heartbreak emojis] Thank you for all the joy you brought to us!'

Bling Empire castmate Dorothy Wang commented with a sweet message directed at Lynn's son.

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She wrote: 'sebastian, we have never met but the way your mom lit up every time she spoke of you-i will never forget. i won't forget so many wonderful things about your mother. she was a true badass yet the kindest ray of light at the same time. yes she loved her fashion and her looks, but what truly mattered most to her was always you and your father, her tribe [white heart emoji] we are all heartbroken [broken heart emoji]'

Debi Mazar, Matthew Mazur, Brian Atwood, and Jill Kargman were also among those who paid tribute to the jewelry designer.

Weeks ago Lynn revealed that she was forced to undergo emergency brain surgery on Christmas Eve after she got into a horrific skiing accident.

The Netflix star took to Instagram on December 30, 2024 to detail the terrifying incident, and added that she was feeling 'grateful and blessed' to be able to see the new year following her life-threatening ordeal.

The jewelry designer explained that she had been on vacation in Aspen, Colorado, when the incident occurred, as she shares images from the trip and photos of her shaved head and post-operation scar.

'In a blink of an eye… life can change,' the TV personality wrote in a caption. 

'Christmas Eve on a beautiful sunny day in Aspen on vacation with my family, I had a ski accident that would change my life.'

She continued: 'At the top of the mountain I caught a tip and face planted. Luckily I always wear a helmet. It didn’t seem that bad at the time and I was able to ski to the bottom. 

'Erring on the side of caution, I wanted to get checked out by ski patrol for a concussion. They assessed me and I was cleared.'

However, something still felt wrong as the star added: 'I had a bit of a headache but thought after lunch it would be fine and I could ski again. 

'The paramedic suggested I go to the hospital for a cat scan. This saved my life.'

Lynn then explained: 'I went in a taxi with Jett and within 30 minutes they told us I had a brain bleed and needed to be airlifted to the trauma hospital. 

'Last thing I remember was being intubated and waking up after an emergency craniotomy with [husband] Jett [Kain] by my side.'

The TV star shared her gratitude to those who saved her life as she added: 'There’s a long road of recovery ahead but I’m a survivor and grateful to ski patrol, the incredible team of doctors and nurses and the [heart emoji] and support my family and friends.

'GOD IS GOOD. Grateful and blessed to see the new year.' 

The star's friends and fans immediately flooded the comments section with well-wishes for the star and her family. 

The aforementioned Dorothy Wang commented: 'OMG Lynn I have chills. So happy you are OK and have your incredible tribe by your side. Sending you all my love and and wishing you healing.'

Fellow Bling Empire star Christine Chiu also wrote: 'I'm so so sorry... sending you much love prayers and a smooth recovery.' 

Lynn is not the only Bling Empire star to pass away as Anna Shay died  aged 62 in June 2023 following a stroke. 

The debut season of Bling Empire dropped in January 2021 and the sophomore installment came in May 2022 as it was centered around the Los Angeles area.

The third season - which starred Lynn and took place in New York - premiered in October 2022.

Inspired by the success of 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians, the unscripted docu-series followed affluent socialites as they partied and ran major businesses. 

Lynn was the owner of Lynn Ban Jewelry as her designs have been worn by the likes of Rihanna, Beyonce, Madonna, Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, and many other A-listers. 

She had over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry as the Singapore-native lived and worked in New York, London, and Paris. 

Her work has also been featured on Vogue and its international editions in addition to ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, W Magazine, and V Magazine.