Kris Jenner announces death of mother Mary Jo "MJ" Shannon at 91

Kris Jenner posted on Instagram on Thursday that her mother, Mary Jo "MJ" Shannon, died at 91. MJ had appeared in several episodes of the family’s E! series Keeping Up With the Kardashians and the Hulu series The Kardashians.

Jenner wrote that her mother taught her the importance of family, kindness and gratitude, and that she hopes to live in a way that would make MJ proud. She also thanked MJ for the sacrifices she made and the guidance she provided.

MJ was born in Arkansas and later moved to California. She was married three times; her second husband, Robert Houghton, was the biological father of Kris Jenner and Karen Houghton, who died in 2024. After divorcing Houghton, MJ married Harry Shannon, who remained her spouse until his death in a 2003 car crash. Jenner has referred to Harry Shannon as her father.

In 1980, MJ opened a children’s clothing store, Shannon & Company, in La Jolla, California. Jenner worked there as a teenager and later helped run the business while Harry Shannon recovered from an accident.

On the reality shows, MJ was noted for her conversations with Jenner, her friendship with Scott Disick, and a segment in which Jenner encouraged her to try marijuana gummies. The series also documented MJ’s battles with colon and breast cancer, both of which she survived.

Kim Kardashian posted throwback photos with her grandmother, describing MJ as a close friend and crediting her with giving Kim her first job and lessons on work ethic, strength and confidence. Kylie Jenner shared a fan tribute to MJ on her Instagram story.