Julie Chen Moonves is grieving the death of Big Brother alum Mickey Lee and opening up about the serious health battles Lee faced throughout her life.
The longtime Big Brother host honored Lee with a heartfelt Instagram post on Friday (Dec. 26), just one day after it was revealed that Lee had passed away at the age of 35. Sharing a photo of them together, Chen Moonves reflected on a recent conversation that now feels deeply emotional.
She revealed that just two months ago, Lee appeared on her podcast God 101, where she spoke candidly about being born with a hole in her heart. During that same discussion, Lee also recalled surviving a severe ATV accident as an adult—one doctors reportedly said she should not have lived through.
Chen Moonves said Lee saw her ability to survive as something rooted in faith and a higher purpose.
“God kept her alive,” the host wrote, adding that Lee’s passing felt like a peaceful return home. She ended her tribute by sending prayers and love to Lee’s family and close friends as they mourn her loss.
The official Big Brother social media account also reacted, describing the news as “truly heartbreaking” and offering condolences to Lee’s family, friends, fellow houseguests, and fans.
Lee’s family first shared news of her death on Christmas Day in a statement posted to her Instagram account. They remembered her as deeply loved and praised the authenticity and warmth she brought to audiences during her time on the show. The family requested privacy as they grieve and noted that details about memorial arrangements would be announced later.
In the days leading up to her death, a GoFundMe campaign revealed that Lee had been hospitalized after experiencing multiple cardiac arrests, leaving her in intensive care. The fundraiser described the situation as sudden and overwhelming—both emotionally and financially—and had raised more than $35,000 at the time of this writing.
Several Big Brother alumni also paid tribute, sharing heartfelt messages that celebrated Lee’s spirit and the lasting impression she left behind.
