Reality TV star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian has paid an emotional tribute to her late grandmother, Mary Jo 'MJ' Shannon, who passed away at the age of 91. Sharing a series of memories on Instagram, Kardashian described Shannon as her 'best friend,' 'gossip buddy,' and the woman who first taught her what it means to run a business.

A Tribute Steeped in Personal Memory

In a heartfelt caption accompanying her Instagram post, Kardashian wrote: 'My sweet Grandma MJ, my best friend, my gossip buddy, my forever twin... You taught all of us the importance of family, and those values are something we'll carry with us forever!!!!! You were the woman who showed me what it meant to be a hardworking businesswoman.'

She credited Shannon with giving her a first employment opportunity at her store in San Diego, calling it a formative experience. 'You gave me my very first job at your store in San Diego and taught me lessons about work ethic, strength, and confidence that I've carried with me ever since,' Kardashian wrote.

The Matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner Family

Kardashian described Shannon as the emotional anchor of the wider family, writing: 'You always believed in me, championed me, and were my safe place. You truly were the matriarch of our family, and your love is woven into all of us.' She ended her tribute with a characteristic personal touch, noting that Shannon reportedly maintained a private Instagram account — a 'finsta' — to quietly follow the family's posts.

'I know you are up in heaven, looking at all of our Instagram posts of you from your sneaky finsta account you would always use lol,' she wrote. 'You will always be a part of me, I love you soooooo much and I will miss you forever and ever. YOU ARE THE BEST OF US!!!'

Who Was Mary Jo Shannon?

Shannon was the maternal grandmother of Kim Kardashian and a central, if quieter, figure in the Kardashian-Jenner orbit. While the family built one of the most-watched reality television franchises in history — beginning with Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2007 and later continuing as The Kardashians on a major streaming platform — Shannon represented the generation before the cameras, grounding the family in values that pre-dated their fame.

Kim Kardashian: Career and Influence

Kardashian first entered public consciousness in 2007 and has since built a multi-vertical business empire. She founded a beauty and fragrance company in 2017 and a shapewear brand in 2019. Her acting credits span films and television, including roles in the anthology horror series American Horror Story (season 12) and the legal drama All's Fair. She remains among the most-followed individuals on Instagram globally.

The loss of Shannon marks a deeply personal moment for a family that has, for nearly two decades, shared much of its life publicly — making this tribute a rare, unguarded expression of private grief.