Mickey Lee, Big Brother Season 27 star, dies at 35 on Christmas Day from cardiac arrest after flu complications. Family and co-stars pay tribute.
Big Brother Star Mickey Lee Passes Away on Christmas Day (Image: Social Media)
ATLANTA, Georgia (December 27, 2025) — At the age of 35, Mickey Lee, the colorful reality TV star from Season 27 of CBS's Big Brother, passed away. Her family announced she passed away on Christmas Day following complications from the flu that led to multiple cardiac arrests, casting a shadow over the holiday for the show's community and her fans.
The death was confirmed through a heartfelt family statement on social media, which noted she died "on Christmas in the early evening." Lee had been hospitalized and in intensive care earlier in the week after suffering a series of cardiac arrests triggered by flu complications, a situation that had prompted fellow contestants and fans to rally support through a GoFundMe campaign.
Mickey Lee was a 35-year-old contestant from Jacksonville, Florida, who lived in Atlanta, Georgia. She rose to national fame during her stint on Big Brother Season 27, which aired from July to September 2025. Although her strategy secured a tenth-place finish, it was her genuine and lively personality that made a lasting impression on both viewers and fellow contestants.
In a statement, her family emphasized this legacy, stating that she "caught the hearts of audiences nationally... where her sincerity, strength, and passion left a lasting imprint." Off-screen, Lee was focused on building her life and career, having stated in post-show interviews that she preferred to focus on "living her life" rather than seeking romance during the televised competition.
Lee's death followed a sudden and severe health crisis. According to her family and a GoFundMe organized to support her medical care, she suffered "a series of cardiac arrests" brought on by complications from the flu.
She was treated in an intensive care unit, with the fundraising page organizer noting that her expected recovery journey would be "long and challenging." On the evening of Christmas (December 25, 2025), Lee took her last breath due to medical ailments.
An immediate wave of grief was followed among her Season 27 houseguests, who paid tribute to her as a true friend and tough player, highlighting the special bond they shared.
Jimmy Heagerty, a close ally in the game, wrote: "In the house you were my friend, my first #1, and my ride or die... What we built wasn’t just a game relationship, it was real, and it mattered." Bayleigh Pelham shared: "I’m so happy she got to live out an experience of a lifetime... I was truly amazed by her light. This one hurts."
Former winner Rachel Reilly simply offered: "RIP MICKEY you are missed."
At the time of her death, Mickey Lee was not married and had not publicly confirmed being in a long-term romantic relationship. Official cast materials for Big Brother Season 27 listed her as single, and she had entered the show stating she was not interested in finding a partner, preferring to focus solely on the competition.
Throughout her eight weeks on the show and in her public life afterward, she was never romantically linked to anyone. Her family's statements during her hospitalization and after her passing did not mention a spouse or partner, confirming her primary focus had been on her life, career, and the friendships she forged.
