Kris Jenner’s mother, Mary Jo ‘MJ’ Shannon, dead at 91

Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, the matriarch whose presence became a staple of reality television through her appearances on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Kardashians, has died at age 91. The news was shared by her daughter, Kris Jenner, on Thursday, July 16. The announcement arrives just days before what would have been Shannon’s 92nd birthday on July 26.

In a tribute posted to social media, Jenner, 70, described her mother as the heart of their family. There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me or the heartbreak of having to say goodbye, Jenner wrote. She credited Shannon with teaching her the value of resilience, faith, and unconditional love, noting that the lessons provided by her mother shaped the foundation of their family life. When I look at my kids and my grandchildren, I will forever see pieces of you in all of us, Jenner added, as reported by Usmagazine.

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Born Mary Jo Campbell in Arkansas in 1934, she worked as a teacher and later owned a children’s clothing store. Her family history included multiple marriages; she wed her first husband after high school, later marrying Robert True “Bob” Houghton — the father of Kris Jenner — and subsequently businessman Harry Shannon. Following the death of Harry Shannon in 2003, Kris Jenner notably stepped in to help manage her mother’s business operations, an experience that influenced her own career trajectory in management and the development of the family's reality television franchise. According to E! Online, the family initially agreed to participate in their television series as a promotional tool for their retail businesses.

Shannon became a familiar figure to viewers over two decades, known for her dry humor and willingness to participate in the family’s antics. Fans frequently cited memorable episodes, including a moment where she and Jenner experimented with cannabis edibles. Her role within the family also extended to milestone events; in 2022, she served as one of the two witnesses at the courthouse wedding of Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker, as noted by Yahoo.

In recent years, the family’s focus had turned toward Shannon’s health and well-being. Following the unexpected death of Kris Jenner’s sister, Karen Houghton, in March 2024, the family shared on their series that Shannon struggled with the loss and experienced ongoing mobility issues. Jenner expressed visible distress during episodes of The Kardashians, acknowledging her mother’s frail condition and the pain she endured. Despite these struggles, Shannon remained an active part of the family circle, including appearing in episodes during 2025.

The death marks another major loss for the family within a short span of time. Karen Houghton, who was 65 at the time of her passing, had been close with both Jenner and Shannon. According to Page Six, Jenner’s children, Kim, Khloé, Rob, Kendall, and Kylie, had not released individual public statements by late Thursday.

The family has not disclosed a cause of death.

Family Milestones and Records

• Full Name: Mary Jo Shannon (born Campbell)
• Birth Date: July 26, 1934
• Career: Teacher and small business owner
• Television History: Appeared on Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007–2021) and The Kardashians (2022–2025)
• Survivors: Daughter Kris Jenner, several grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren