Mary Jo “M.J.” Shannon, better known as Mary Jo Campbell, the mother of reality television personality and businesswoman Kris Jenner, has died at the age of 91. Jenner announced her mother’s passing in an emotional Instagram post on Thursday, July 16. The family has not disclosed the cause of death. Mary Jo Campbell was a familiar face to fans of the Kardashian-Jenner family, appearing in several episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Kardashians alongside her children and grandchildren.
Kris Jenner Announces Mother Mary Jo Campbell Death
Kris Jenner shared the news of her mother’s passing through a heartfelt social media tribute, describing the immense loss her family is experiencing. “Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ,” Jenner wrote. “There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me or the heartbreak of having to say goodbye.”
She went on to describe her mother as the emotional foundation of the family. “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. 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.”
Who was Mary Jo Campbell?
Mary Jo MJ Campbell, later known as Mary Jo Shannon, was the beloved matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family. Best known as the mother of media personality and businesswoman Kris Jenner, she was also the grandmother of Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner. A familiar face on the family’s reality television shows, MJ was admired for her close bond with her children and grandchildren. She passed away at the age of 91 on July 16, 2026.
Mary Jo Campbell Role in the Kardashian-Jenner Family
Mary Jo Campbell became well known to viewers through her appearances on the Kardashian family’s reality television shows. Over the years, she appeared in multiple episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and later The Kardashians, sharing screen time with her grandchildren Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner. Her most recent television appearance came during Season 6 of The Kardashians in 2025, where she featured in two episodes.
Mary Jo Campbell Net Worth
Mary Jo Campbell, also known as MJ, had an estimated net worth of between $5 million and $20 million (approximately ₹43 crore to ₹172 crore) at the time of her passing. The mother of Kris Jenner and grandmother of the Kardashian-Jenner family built her wealth through entrepreneurship and appearances on the family’s reality television shows.
Mary Jo Campbell Career
- Attended the Fashionality charm school at the age of 15, where she trained in fashion, etiquette, and poise before beginning a career as a professional fashion model.
- Worked as a teacher during the early years of her professional career.
- Founded and operated Shannon & Company, a children’s clothing boutique in La Jolla, San Diego, California, after launching the business in 1980.
- Managed the boutique for approximately 45 years, making it one of her longest-running professional achievements.
- Her entrepreneurial spirit and experience in retail inspired daughter Kris Jenner, who has often credited her mother’s business mindset as an influence on building the Kardashian-Jenner family’s business empire.
- Appeared regularly on Keeping Up with the Kardashians from 2007 to 2021, becoming a familiar face to viewers.
- The Kardashians (Hulu): Continued making recurring appearances on The Kardashians, where her warmth, humor, and close relationship with her grandchildren made her a fan favorite.
- Widely recognized as the matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family, admired for balancing entrepreneurship, family life, and television appearances over several decades.
Mary Jo Campbell Had Been Facing Health Challenges
During Season 6 of The Kardashians, Kris Jenner spoke openly about her mother’s declining health following the death of her sister, Karen Houghton, in 2024. Speaking during a confessional, Jenner said, “I know my mom struggles with so much right now because she is 90 and she’s frail.”
She continued, “Ever since my sister passed away, she’s been super sad, like we all have, and I know that I need to be there for her.” In a later phone conversation featured on the show, Mary Jo Campbell revealed that she had been unable to get out of bed for two days because of physical pain.
Reflecting on her mother’s condition afterward, Jenner became emotional and said: “It just gets to the point in life where you can’t be by yourself anymore. It makes me sad.” She added, “This makes me really sad. I just hate it when she’s in so much pain.”
Mary Jo Campbell Cause of Death
As of July 17, 2026, the Kardashian-Jenner family has not disclosed the cause of Mary Jo Campbell’s death. Her passing marks the loss of a beloved family matriarch who remained a constant presence in the lives of her children, grandchildren and millions of viewers who followed the Kardashian-Jenner family’s reality television journey.
