Family, friends, and fans around the world are mourning the passing of Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, the beloved mother of Kris Jenner, who died on July 16, 2026, at the age of 91.
Jenner shared the heartbreaking news in an emotional message, expressing the deep loss felt by their family. “Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ,” she wrote. “There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me or the heartbreak of having to say goodbye.”
Mary Jo Shannon, affectionately known as “MJ,” was widely recognized not only as the matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family but also for her appearances on the family’s reality television series, where viewers came to appreciate her warmth, humor, and strong family values.
In her tribute, Jenner described her mother as the heart of their family, someone who instilled the importance of love, kindness, and togetherness. She reflected on the life lessons MJ shared, including the value of cherishing every moment and showing unwavering support to loved ones.
“My mom was the heart of our family. 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,” Jenner wrote.
She also spoke about the lasting influence her mother had on multiple generations, noting that MJ’s love and spirit would continue to live on through her children and grandchildren.
Mary Jo Shannon lived a long and meaningful life marked by devotion to her family. She was previously married to engineer Robert Houghton, with whom she had Kris Jenner, before later marrying businessman Harry Shannon. She remained married to Harry for four decades until his passing in 2003.
As tributes continue to pour in, many are remembering MJ not only for her connection to a famous family but for the love, strength, and wisdom she shared with those closest to her.
Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon’s legacy will endure through the family she nurtured, the values she passed down, and the countless memories she created over her 91 years. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
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