Kardashian-Jenner family share heartbreaking tributes following loss of ‘matriarch’ MJ Shannon
Updated . First published at
The Kardashian-Jenner family is mourning the loss of grandmother Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon at age 91.
“Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ,” Kris Jenner said in an emotional tribute posted to Instagram.
Shannon, pictured with daughter Kris Jenner and granddaughter Kim Kardashian, was 91. Instagram/@krisjenner
“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.”
Shannon, grandmother to Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner, made regular appearances on her family’s Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Kardashians reality shows over the years.
She became a fan-favourite personality on the show for her quick wit and fierce independence.
In her tribute, Jenner said she saw her mother in all other members of the family.
“When I look at my kids and my grandkids, I will forever see pieces of you in all of us. 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,” she said.
“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.”
Shannon remained close to her grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren until her death. Instagram/@kimkardashian
Kim Kardashian celebrated the life of her “sweet Grandma MJ, my best friend, my gossip buddy, my forever twin”.
“You always believed in me, championed me, and were my safe space,” she wrote in her own tribute.
“You truly were the matriarch of our family and your love is woven into all of us.”
Kardashian said her grandmother was “the best of us”. Instagram/@kimkardashian
Shannon married Jenner’s father, her second husband, Robert True Houghton, in 1954. They welcomed Jenner in 1955 and her younger sister, Karen Houghton, in 1958.
In a 2025 episode of The Kardashians, Jenner opened up about her mother’s struggles following the sudden death of her sister in 2024.
“She’s frail,” she shared in a confessional. “Ever since my sister passed away, she’s been super sad.”
Fans ‘kept up’ with Shannon’s life through her family’s reality show and social media. Instagram/@kyliejenner
Shannon had been experiencing mobility issues due to pain, upsetting her daughter.
“This makes me really sad,” Jenner tearfully added. “I just hate it when she’s in so much pain.”
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