Kris Jenner’s mother Mary Jo Shannon dead at 91 after decades as the Kardashian-Jenner family’s beloved matriarch. Jenner confirmed the death on July 16 through an emotional Instagram tribute. The cause of death was not publicly disclosed. The news was also confirmed by Reuters and other major American outlets, as noted by the Baltimore Chronicle.
Kris Jenner confirms MJ Shannon’s death
Kris Jenner wrote that her family had said goodbye to her “beautiful Mommy MJ.” She described her mother as the heart of the family and the person who shaped her values.
“There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me,” Jenner wrote. She thanked MJ for teaching her children about kindness, loyalty, faith and unconditional love.
Jenner said her mother’s influence would continue through the family’s traditions, children and grandchildren.
Who was Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon?
Mary Jo Shannon was born Mary Jo Campbell in Arkansas on July 26, 1934. She was the mother of Kris Jenner and Karen Houghton, who died in 2024.
MJ became familiar to television audiences through the Kardashian family’s reality programs. She appeared in both “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and Hulu’s “The Kardashians.”
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon |
| Age | 91 |
| Birthplace | Arkansas |
| Daughter | Kris Jenner |
| Television shows | “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “The Kardashians” |
Her calm personality and dry humor made her a recognizable figure among viewers. She also maintained close relationships with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
MJ Shannon’s place in the Kardashian family
Mary Jo Shannon was the grandmother of the Kardashian-Jenner siblings:
- Kourtney Kardashian;
- Kim Kardashian;
- Khloé Kardashian;
- Rob Kardashian;
- Kendall Jenner;
- Kylie Jenner.
She regularly attended family celebrations and appeared during important moments on television. Her declining health had also been discussed during episodes of “The Kardashians.”
Kris Jenner said she would especially miss their daily conversations, MJ’s smile and her laughter. She added that every part of her life had been shaped by her mother.
Family remembers a lasting legacy
Jenner concluded her message by thanking MJ for a happy childhood and a “beautiful blessed life.” She said her heart was “broken into a million pieces.”
Mary Jo Shannon’s death marks another painful loss for the family following Karen Houghton’s death in 2024. Kris said her mother’s love would remain present whenever the family gathered.
Earlier we wrote that Bonnie Tyler dies at 75 after emergency surgery and hospital treatment in Portugal