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How Did Kris Jenner’s Mom MJ Die & What Was Her Cause of Death?
Kris Jenner is grieving the loss of her mother, Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon. The reality TV personality and momager announced MJ’s death via Instagram on Thursday, July 16, at the age of 91.
“Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ,” Jenner wrote alongside an old photo of MJ smiling. “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.”
What happened? Here’s everything we know so far, including MJ’s cause of death.
How did Kris Jenner’s mom, MJ, die, and what was her cause of death?
At the time of writing, MJ’s cause of death has not been disclosed, but she had experienced several health problems in recent years. In a March 2025 episode of The Kardashians, Kris revealed that MJ was “frail” and struggling “with so much.” MJ also reportedly told Kris that she had been on bed rest for a few days due to some pain.
“It just gets to the point in life where you can’t be by yourself anymore. It makes me sad,” a visibly emotional Jenner said. “This makes me really sad. I just hate it when she’s in so much pain.”
MJ was also a two-time cancer survivor, having beaten breast and colon cancer. According to Kim Kardashian, MJ’s cancer treatment was absolutely brutal. “When she had cancer, the radiation shrunk her intestines,” Kim explained on an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, “so once a year, she had these crazy fits where she would be throwing up all night and literally think she was gonna die.”
In her Instagram post, Jenner shared that MJ taught her “that family is everything,” adding, “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.”
Related: Meghan Reportedly ‘Threw a Fit’ Over Kris’ Photos After Realizing ‘How Bad She Looked’—She’s ‘Particular About Curating Her Image’
“Mom, thank you for every sacrifice you made, every piece of wisdom you shared, and every moment you loved us so completely,” she continued. “I will miss our daily talks, your smile, your laughter… Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing that love like yours never truly leaves us. Your love will live on in our family, in our traditions, in every moment we are together, and in every life you touched.”
Jenner added, “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. 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… I love you forever Mommy. Thank you for giving us everything.”