Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, the mother of Kris Jenner and the beloved grandmother to the Kardashian-Jenner siblings, has died.
I have watched this family navigate intense public scrutiny for years, but MJ was always their quiet, steady anchor. While her daughter and granddaughters built global empires, she remained a grounded reminder of their roots in San Diego.
Quick Facts About MJ Shannon
- She was born in July 1934 in Arkansas and grew up in California.
- She ran a children’s clothing boutique called Shannon & Company for decades long before her family became famous.
- MJ was married to businessman Harry Shannon for 40 years until he passed away in a car accident in 2003.
- She was a resilient survivor, having beaten both breast and colon cancer earlier in her life.
Fans of the family’s reality shows know MJ well. She was a comforting presence on Keeping Up With the Kardashians and their current Hulu series. She never seemed interested in the fame itself, but she clearly loved being surrounded by her massive, chaotic family.
Over the last few years, her public appearances became less frequent as she dealt with declining mobility. Kris Jenner frequently spoke about the deep bond they shared, often calling her mother her greatest inspiration and her best friend.
The family has paused their usual social media activity to grieve together behind closed doors.
