Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, the beloved mother of Kris Jenner and a cherished matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family, passed away on July 16, 2026, at the age of 91—just days before her 92nd birthday. Born Mary Jo Campbell on July 26, 1934, in Arkansas, Shannon lived a vibrant life marked by entrepreneurship, resilience, and an enduring role as the witty heart of one of television’s most famous families.
Shannon’s passing comes amid a series of recent losses for the family, including the death of her daughter Karen Houghton in 2024. She is survived by her daughter Kris Jenner, six grandchildren—including Kim, Kourtney, Khloé, Rob, Kendall, and Kylie—and 13 great-grandchildren.
Born to parents Lou and Gordon Campbell in Arkansas, Shannon had a half-sister named Frances. In her youth, she worked as a model and displayed early entrepreneurial spirit. She first married her high school sweetheart—her first kiss—but the marriage ended in divorce. In 1954, she wed engineer Robert True “Bob” Houghton, with whom she had two daughters: Kristen Mary “Kris” Houghton (born 1955) and Karen Houghton (born 1958). The couple divorced when Kris was about seven years old. Shannon later married businessman Harry Shannon, who served as a loving father figure to her daughters until his death in 2003.
Shannon built a successful career as an entrepreneur, owning and operating Shannon & Company, a popular children’s clothing boutique in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego that opened around 1980. She instilled a strong work ethic in her family; Kris Jenner frequently credited her mother with inspiring her own business success, recalling her first job at the store. Even Kim Kardashian has fond memories of visiting the boutique as a child and “counting money” on the floor.
A cancer survivor, Shannon demonstrated remarkable strength and positivity throughout her life, traits that defined her as a role model for her family.
Shannon gained widespread public affection as a recurring presence on Keeping Up with the Kardashians beginning in 2007, later appearing on The Kardashians on Hulu and various spin-offs, including Celebrity Family Feud. Fans adored her dry, sharp sense of humor, candid commentary, and loving but no-nonsense interactions with her grandchildren.
Memorable moments included teasing Kim about her short-lived marriage to Kris Humphries and sharing lighthearted family stories. She was especially close to Kim, who described her as “my best friend, my gossip buddy, my forever twin” and praised her as the “most beautiful woman” and a superwoman who emphasized the importance of family.
In a heartfelt Instagram tribute posted on July 16, 2026, Kris Jenner expressed profound grief:
“Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ. There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me or the heartbreak of having to say goodbye. 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. … I will forever thank God every single day for making you my mommy. My heart is broken into a million pieces.”
Kris highlighted her mother’s sacrifices, wisdom, resilience, and faith, noting that MJ showed her “what it meant to be a hardworking businesswoman.”
MJ Shannon is remembered as a fierce matriarch who embodied warmth, humor, strength, and unwavering family values. Her influence helped shape Kris Jenner’s “momager” empire and the close-knit—if often dramatic—family dynamic that has captivated audiences for nearly two decades on reality television.
As the Kardashian-Jenner family mourns, tributes continue to pour in, celebrating a woman who taught generations the importance of unconditional love, hard work, and finding joy in everyday moments.
The family has not yet released details regarding funeral arrangements. Condolences from fans and admirers have flooded social media, reflecting the deep affection many developed for the sharp-tongued grandmother who became an unlikely television star.
