Real Housewives of Miami’s Lea Black Mourns Death of Her Husband Roy

The Real Housewives of Miami alum Lea Black is in mourning after the death of her husband, Roy Black.

“Thank you all for your blessings,” Lea, 69, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, July 22. “We will be announcing details for a tribute and celebration of life in a few weeks.”

According to the Miami Herald, Roy died on Monday, July 21, at his home in Coral Gables, Florida, following an undisclosed illness. He was 80.

His official cause of death has yet to be revealed.

Roy was a famed criminal defense attorney who represented numerous high-profile clients during his career. The Miami Herald reported that Roy worked at his law firm up until his death.

“Roy Black was the greatest criminal lawyer of our generation, perhaps in American history,” his partner, Howard Srebnick, shared with the publication, “achieving acquittals over a span of 50 years in some of the most challenging and notorious cases of all time.”

The Real Housewives of Miami fans were introduced to Lea’s love story with Roy when she appeared as an original cast member in 2011. (She later departed the show after season 3.)

The couple had been happily married since 1994 and shared a 23-year-old son named RJ. (Roy also had a daughter named Nora from a previous relationship.)

Although Lea had stepped away from reality TV, she has maintained several strong friendships with her extended Bravo family. Many were quick to send their condolences in the wake of Roy’s death.

“My dear friend, as I wrote in the text message that I sent you, my most deepest condolences for this immense loss,” former Real Housewives of Miami star Karent Sierra wrote in the comments section. “My prayers are for you and RJ and the whole family. May he rest in peace sending you lots of love ❤️.”

Abbott Elementary’s Lisa Ann Walter added, “Oh no Lea. I’m so sorry. Deepest sympathies and big hugs to you and RJ.”

While Roy tried to stay out of the drama and away from Bravo cameras, Lea said he was supportive of her projects behind the scenes.

“Roy, as busy as he is, even takes time to check out the Real Housewives,” she previously told Reality TV Magazine in 2012. “It’s great being able to have your life captured and at the very least, we can laugh about it together!”

As for their secret to a happy marriage, Lea explained to the publication, “It is all about priorities and for me nothing compares to the importance of taking care of my family!”