Mary Jo Shannon cause of death: What happened to Kris Jenner's mom and Kardashian family's ‘Grandma MJ’?

Kris Jenner announced the death of her mother, Mary Jo "MJ" Shannon, 91, calling her the heart of the family. No cause of death was disclosed.

Updated on: Jul 17, 2026, 04:26:47 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Kris Jenner's mother and Kim Kardashian and Kyle Jenner's grandmother, Mary Jo Shannon, has passed away. Her death was announced by Kris Jenner on social media Thursday. Shannon, known among the Kardashian fans as Grandma MJ, was 91.

Mary Jo Campbell and Kyle Jenner (L) and Mary Jo Campbell seen outdoors. (Mary Jo Campbell on Instagram)

‘Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ," Jenner said. "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. She taught us that family is everything."

A cause of death was not announced. There are also no details of Mary Jo Shannon potentially suffering from any illness prior to her passing on Thursday

Also read: What is Kris Jenner's net worth in 2026? Inside the Kardashian matriarch's fortune

Mary Jo Shannon was the grandmother of all the Kardashian kids, who rose to fame with the reality TV show Keeping Up With The Kardashians (2007-21). It includes all six kids of Kris Jenner: Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Khloé Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Rob Kardashian.

Mary Jo appeared in several moments of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians,' almost becoming a mainstay at one point in the series.

Kris Jenner Reveals Importance Of Grandma MJ To The

In her heartfelt post for her mother Mary Jo Shannon, Kris Jenner recalled how crucial Grandma MJ was to the family, despite their immense success in the television world. She called late Mary Jo Shannon "the heart of the family."

Also read: Kris Jenner: All on father Robert Houghton and sister Karen Houghton as mother Mary Jo ‘MJ’ Campbell dies at 91

“My mom was the heart of our family,” the Instagram post read. "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.

"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. 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 added. "Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing that love like yours never truly leaves us."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

Stay connected with all the glitz and glam from the world of entertainment, right from Hollywood gossip to Bollywood chit chat. Also don't miss out on music buzz, anime scoops and OTT action.