Kris Jenner announces death of mother Mary Jo Shannon at 91

Kris Jenner announced the death of her mother, Mary Jo "MJ" Shannon, on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Shannon, a beloved matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family, was 91 years old.

Jenner shared the news in an emotional Instagram post, writing that the family had said goodbye to her "beautiful Mommy MJ." She described her mother as the heart of their family. In a lengthy tribute, Jenner credited Shannon with teaching her the most important lessons in life: to love family fiercely, to be kind, and to show up for loved ones. She expressed profound gratitude for her mother's sacrifices and wisdom, stating her heart was "broken into a million pieces."

Born Mary Jo Campbell on July 26, 1934, in Arkansas, Shannon was a familiar presence to fans of the family's reality television empire. She appeared frequently on both "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," which aired from 2007 to 2021, and its Hulu successor, "The Kardashians." Her memorable moments ranged from lighthearted scenes, such as sharing cannabis gummies with her daughter, to more poignant discussions about family and life.

Shannon was married three times. Her first marriage to her high school sweetheart lasted only a few months....