Kris Jenner has announced the death of her mother, Mary Jo 'MJ' Shannon, aged 91, in an emotional Instagram post. The 70-year-old media mogul shared a photo of her mother, who died days before her 92nd birthday, with her 50 million followers, accompanied by a heartfelt caption.
Jenner's Tribute to Her Mother
'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,' Jenner wrote. '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. She taught us that family is everything.'
Jenner continued: '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 thanked her mother for her sacrifices, wisdom, and every moment she 'loved us so completely.'
Shannon's Role in the Kardashian Franchise
Shannon was a mainstay in the original Keeping Up With the Kardashians series, which ran from 2007 to 2021, and also appeared in the follow-up series, The Kardashians. She featured in several memorable moments, including when she and Jenner took weed gummies together and dissolved into a fit of giggles.
Health Struggles Revealed
Last year, Jenner opened up about her mother's health on the show, saying she had been struggling ever since her sister's death. 'She's frail. Ever since my sister passed away, she's been super sad,' Jenner explained. Shannon also revealed she had been dealing with mobility issues. 'This makes me really sad. I just hate it when she's in so much pain,' Jenner added at the time.
Outpouring of Tributes
Shannon's death prompted a flurry of tributes from fans and celebrities. 'I am so so sorry for your loss. Sending you so much love and healing,' wrote Jennifer Hewitt. Ruben Marquez commented: 'Omg I'm so sorry for your family's loss. MJ was the best and was my favorite on KUWTK. Love and healing to you and the family.'
Jenner concluded her post by saying her 'heart is broken into a million pieces…' before thanking her mother for the 'greatest childhood' and a 'beautiful blessed life.'
