Kris Jenner says mother Mary Jo 'MJ' Shannon has died at 91
Kris Jenner announced the death of her mother, Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, in an Instagram tribute Thursday. No cause of death was given.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, the mother of Kris Jenner and a familiar face to viewers of the Kardashian family’s reality shows, has died at 91.
Jenner announced her mother’s death Thursday in an Instagram post, writing that the family had “said goodbye” to Shannon and describing her as “the heart of our family.” A cause of death was not disclosed.
In the tribute, Jenner credited Shannon with shaping the family’s values, saying her mother taught her to love family fiercely, be kind, support loved ones and not take time together for granted.
Jenner wrote that Shannon showed the family how to love without conditions and take joy in small moments. She also said her mother faced hardship with faith and resilience.
“My heart is broken into a million pieces,” Jenner wrote in the post, adding that she would miss their daily conversations, Shannon’s smile and her laughter.
Jenner also reflected on Shannon’s connection to the next generations of the family, writing that she sees parts of her mother in her children and grandchildren. She said there was no part of her life that had not been shaped by Shannon.
A familiar presence on Kardashian TV
Shannon appeared over the years on the family’s reality franchise, including Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its later incarnation, The Kardashians, according to Rolling Stone. On the shows, she was often presented as a calm and comforting presence in the family.
Rolling Stone reported that Shannon’s granddaughters had spoken on the programs about their admiration for her.
As of the report, Shannon’s grandchildren, Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner, had not posted their own public tributes to her death.
Her life and family
Shannon founded Shannon & Co., a children’s boutique in San Diego, according to Rolling Stone.
She was previously married to Robert Houghton, Kris Jenner’s father. The couple divorced when Jenner was seven years old, Rolling Stone reported.
Shannon later married Harry Shannon. The two were together for 40 years before his death in a car crash in 2003, according to the report.
Along with Kris Jenner, Shannon was the mother of Karen Houghton. Houghton died in March 2024 at age 65 after cardiac arrest, Rolling Stone reported.
Jenner closed her Instagram tribute by thanking Shannon for her childhood and for what she called a “beautiful blessed life,” writing that she would love her mother forever.
This story draws on original reporting from Rolling Stone.