A Growing Family Bond
Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet’s families are continuing to grow closer. The connection was recently highlighted when the Marty Supreme actor’s mother, Nicole Flender, shared a public message honoring Jenner’s late grandmother, Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon.
Shannon died on July 16 at the age of 91. Ten days later, on what would have been her 92nd birthday, Kris Jenner posted a heartfelt Instagram tribute to her mother, writing, “Happy Heavenly Birthday Mommy. I love you.”
Flender stepped into the comment section to offer her condolences and reflect on her personal connection to the reality television matriarch. “So happy I got to know her,” Flender wrote, emphasizing the quiet integration of the two families since her son began dating Kylie in 2023.
The Heart of the Family
Born Mary Jo Campbell, MJ was a beloved fixture on television screens for over a decade. She frequently appeared on Keeping Up With the Kardashians during its 20-season run from 2007 to 2021, as well as on its Hulu successor, The Kardashians.
Beyond the cameras, she was the foundational grandmother to Kylie, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, and Kendall Jenner.
In her initial July 16 announcement of her mother’s passing, Kris described MJ as the undisputed heart of their family. She credited her mother with teaching the family how to love fiercely, show up for one another, and face life’s inevitable challenges with resilience and faith.
“When I look at my kids and my grandkids, I will forever see pieces of you in all of us,” Kris wrote on Instagram. “There is not a part of me that isn’t shaped by you. And if I have done anything right in this world, it’s because I spent my life trying to live in a way that would make you proud.”
A Season of Loss
MJ’s passing comes during a difficult year for the Kardashian-Jenner family. In March 2024, Kris’s younger sister, Karen Houghton, passed away at the age of 65.
Following MJ’s death, Kris opened up her photo archives to share memories of the two women. The throwback photos featured decades of family history, including matching all-white outfits shared by MJ and Karen, crisp holiday suits in front of the Christmas tree, and early kitchen-table memories with a young Kourtney Kardashian.
