Kris Jenner mourns death of mother Mary Jo ‘MJ’ Shannon at 91

Kris Jenner is mourning the death of her mother, Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, who died on 16 July 2026 at the age of 91.

The Kardashian-Jenner family matriarch was known to viewers through her appearances on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Kardashians. Jenner announced her mother’s death in an emotional social media tribute, describing her as the “heart of our family”.

Kris Jenner pays tribute to her mother

Jenner reflected on her mother’s influence and the values she instilled in their family.

“Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ. 😞💔 There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me or the heartbreak of having to say goodbye. My mom was the heart of our family.”

Jenner said her mother had taught her to love her family fiercely, treat others with kindness and appreciate every moment spent with loved ones.

“She taught me everything that truly matters… to love your family fiercely, to be kind, to show up for the people you love, and to never take a single moment together for granted. She taught us that family is everything.”

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‘My heart is broken’

Jenner also thanked her mother for the sacrifices she had made and the guidance she had offered throughout her life.

“Mom, thank you for every sacrifice you made, every piece of wisdom you shared, and every moment you loved us so completely. I will miss our daily talks, your smile, your laughter…”

She said the family would find comfort in knowing that her mother’s love would continue through their traditions and the lives she touched.

“Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing that love like yours never truly leaves us. Your love will live on in our family, in our traditions, in every moment we are together, and in every life you touched.”

A familiar face to Kardashian fans

Shannon became a familiar and popular presence through appearances alongside her daughter and grandchildren on the family’s reality television programmes.

She was the grandmother of Kourtney, Kim, Khloé and Rob Kardashian, as well as Kendall and Kylie Jenner. She had also previously owned a children’s clothing store in San Diego.

Fans admired her humour, candid advice and close relationship with her family.

‘I love you forever Mommy’

Jenner said she would continue to see parts of her mother in her children and grandchildren.

“When I look at my kids and my grandkids, I will forever see pieces of you in all of us. There is not a part of me that isn’t shaped by you.”

She ended her tribute by thanking her mother for the life and childhood she had given her.

“My heart is broken into a million pieces… thank you for giving me the greatest childhood and oh what a beautiful blessed life… I love you forever Mommy. Thank you for giving us everything.”

Shannon’s cause of death had not been publicly disclosed at the time of publication.

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