Mary Jo MJ Campbell, mother of Kris Jenner and matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family, has died at the age of 91: ‘My mother was the heart of our family’
The Kardashian-Jenner family is mourning a heartbreaking loss. Mary Jo “MJ” Campbell, mother of Kris Jenner and beloved grandmother to Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner, has died at the age of 91.Kris Jenner shared the news on Instagram on July 16, posting a heartfelt tribute to the fans who knew her as “Grandma MJ” from Keeping Up With the Kardashians and The Kardashians.
Kris Jenner remembers her mother as ‘the heart of our family’
Sharing an old photo of her mother, Kris spoke of the immense sadness of losing someone who was the family’s greatest source of strength.“Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful mom MJ. No words can express what she meant to me or the heartbreak of having to say goodbye,” Chris wrote.She went on to describe her mother as the person who holds the family together through love, compassion and unwavering support.“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 wrote.Kris also thanked her mother for the sacrifices she made and the lessons she imparted at every stage of life.
She added: “Mom, thank you for every sacrifice you made, every wisdom you shared, and every moment you loved us completely. I will miss our daily conversations, your smile, and your laugh.”
Who was Mary Jo ‘MJ’ Campbell?
Long before she became a familiar face on reality TV, Mary Jo Campbell built a successful career as a businesswoman.Born on July 26, 1934, she owned Shannon & Co., a children’s clothing store in San Diego. Kris Jenner worked at a store before becoming a flight attendant, after which she built the Kardashian-Jenner media empire.Over the years, Kris has often credited her mother’s entrepreneurial mindset and determination as major influences on her career.
A fan favorite of The Kardashians
Although she prefers to stay out of the spotlight, MJ Campbell has become a much-loved presence on Keeping Up With the Kardashians and Hulu’s The Kardashians.Whether she was sharing candid conversations with Kris or spending time with her grandchildren, including Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner, viewers were impressed by her warmth, sense of humor, and style.Her birthday celebrations appeared regularly on social media, with family members posting heartfelt tributes to ‘Grandma MJ’. Last year, the Kardashian-Jenner family celebrated her 91st birthday with a garden-themed party.
Her death comes after another family tragedy
Mary Jo Campbell’s death comes just over two years after the death of her youngest daughter, Karen Houghton, who died unexpectedly in March 2024 at the age of 65.In recent episodes of The Kardashians, Kris Jenner spoke emotionally about watching her mother grow up and the concerns she felt about her health.
