Kris Jenner mourns mother Mary Jo Shannon, 91: 'My heart is broken'
Synopsis
Kris Jenner, matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner empire, has said goodbye to the woman who shaped her — her mother Mary Jo 'MJ' Shannon, who died at 91. In a raw, personal tribute, Jenner credited Shannon with teaching her everything that truly matters, calling her loss a heart 'broken into a million pieces.'
Key Takeaways
Kris Jenner announced the death of her mother, Mary Jo 'MJ' Shannon , who passed away at age 91 .
Jenner described Shannon as 'the heart of our family' in a public tribute.
She credited her mother with teaching her unconditional love, resilience, and faith.
MJ Shannon was a recurring presence on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its spin-offs.
Details of a memorial service have not yet been announced by the family.
Reality TV personality Kris Jenner has paid an emotional tribute to her late mother, Mary Jo 'MJ' Shannon, who passed away at the age of 91, describing her as 'the heart of our family.' Jenner shared the heartfelt message publicly, reflecting on a lifetime of unconditional love, wisdom, and sacrifice.
Kris Jenner's tribute to MJ Shannon
In a moving post, Jenner wrote: '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.'
Jenner also reflected on the lessons her mother imparted throughout her life. 'She showed us how to love unconditionally and how to find joy in the little moments. She showed me how to face life's challenges with resilience and faith,' she wrote.
A legacy of love and family
Jenner expressed gratitude for every sacrifice MJ Shannon made and the childhood she provided. 'Mom, thank you for every sacrifice you made, every piece of wisdom you shared, and every moment you loved us so completely. I will miss our daily talks, your smile, your laughter…' she said.
She added: 'Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing that love like yours never truly leaves us. Your love will live on in our family, in our traditions, in every moment we are together, and in every life you touched. When I look at my kids and my grandkids, I will forever see pieces of you in all of us.'
What MJ Shannon meant to the Jenner-Kardashian family
Jenner, the matriarch of the high-profile Kardashian-Jenner family and mother of Kim Kardashian among others, credited her own mother as the foundation of everything she built. 'There is not a part of me that isn't shaped by you,' she wrote, adding that anything she had done right in life was a result of trying to make her mother proud.
'Every memory, every moment, every blessing, it was all because of you, and I will forever thank God every single day for making you my mommy. My heart is broken into a million pieces… thank you for giving me the greatest childhood and oh what a beautiful blessed life… I love you forever Mommy,' she concluded.
Remembering Mary Jo Shannon
Mary Jo Shannon had been a beloved figure in the extended Kardashian-Jenner family, frequently appearing on the long-running reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its spin-offs. Her warmth and presence made her a fan favourite across the franchise's many seasons. She is survived by her daughter Kris Jenner and the wider Kardashian-Jenner family. The family has not yet announced details of a memorial service.
Point of View
But it also underscores how deeply the Kardashian-Jenner brand is built on family as spectacle and sincerity at once. MJ Shannon was not a peripheral figure — she was a fan favourite precisely because she represented something the franchise rarely offered: unglamorous, unconditional warmth. Her death closes a chapter that predates the family's celebrity, and Jenner's tribute reads less like a PR moment and more like a genuine reckoning with mortality. For a family that has monetised almost every emotion, this one appears to be their own.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mary Jo 'MJ' Shannon?
Mary Jo 'MJ' Shannon was the mother of reality TV personality Kris Jenner and a beloved figure in the Kardashian-Jenner family. She was a recurring presence on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its spin-offs, and passed away at the age of 91.
How did Kris Jenner react to her mother's death?
Kris Jenner shared a deeply personal public tribute, describing her grief as her 'heart broken into a million pieces.' She credited her mother with teaching her unconditional love, resilience, and faith, and said every good thing she had done in life was shaped by MJ Shannon.
What did Kris Jenner say about her mother in her tribute?
Jenner wrote that her mother was 'the heart of our family' and thanked her for every sacrifice, piece of wisdom, and moment of love. She said she would miss their daily talks and that she sees pieces of her mother in her own children and grandchildren.
Has the Kardashian-Jenner family announced a memorial for MJ Shannon?
As of the time of reporting, the family has not publicly announced details of a memorial service for Mary Jo Shannon.
How old was Mary Jo Shannon when she died?
Mary Jo 'MJ' Shannon was 91 years old at the time of her passing, according to Kris Jenner's tribute.
