The Sad, Tragic Life Of Kandi Burruss

On top of being a Grammy winner, with an estimated $30 million net worth, this Real Housewives of Atlanta star also has a beautiful, healthy family. But lurking underneath that glitzy veneer is a heart-wrenching backstory. This is the sad, tragic life of Kandi Burruss.

Kandi doesn't talk about her immediate family often, so fans might not know the devastating story of her older brother, Patrick Riley, who died in a car accident when Kandi was 15 and he was 22. Having presumably gone on to name her daughter Riley after her late brother, Burruss also takes solace in the memories they shared. She posted:

"Happy Birthday to my brother Patrick! He was the best big brother in the whole world. Sometimes I wonder what would he be doing if he was still here. I still miss him."

But tragedy would cross Kandi's path again. She also suffered the untimely passing of her ex, Ashley "A.J." Jewell, who was killed in 2009 during a fight outside of an Atlanta club, according to People magazine. Although Burruss and Jewell broke off their engagement months earlier, the loss was still devastating for the singer. She wrote for Hello Beautiful,

"There was so much that he wanted to do. When I spoke to him yesterday, I never thought that it would be for the last time! A.J. had a great spirit and he was a good man."

Watch the video to see The Sad, Tragic Life Of Kandi Burruss!

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Losing loved ones | 0:16
Mama vs. mother-in-law | 1:19
Struggling to grow her family | 2:08
A heartbreaking loss | 3:32
The truth about Riley's dad | 4:27
The ultimate betrayal | 4:27