Mary Jo “MJ” Campbell Shannon, the matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner empire and mother to reality television powerhouse Kris Jenner, passed away on July 16, 2026, at the age of 91.

Her death certificate, obtained by media outlets including Us Weekly, provides new details on the circumstances surrounding her final days, shedding light on a health struggle that followed a lifetime of resilience, family devotion, and public appearances alongside one of Hollywood’s most famous families.

According to the official document, the immediate cause of death was acute cardiopulmonary arrest. Contributing factors included acute respiratory failure and metastatic lung cancer, a condition MJ had been battling for several months prior to her passing.

She died at a hospital in Los Angeles and was cremated on July 23, with no autopsy performed.

This revelation comes just weeks after Kris Jenner announced her mother’s death on Instagram with an emotional tribute that resonated deeply with fans. “Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ,” Kris wrote. “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.”

MJ’s influence extended far beyond her immediate family. As the grandmother to Kim, Kourtney, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian, as well as Kendall and Kylie Jenner, she became a beloved figure on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its successor series The Kardashians.

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Viewers cherished her sassy one-liners, straightforward advice, and unwavering support for her grandchildren’s ambitious careers. Her appearances often provided moments of levity and wisdom amid the family’s high-profile dramas.

Born in 1934, MJ lived a life marked by both challenges and triumphs. She was married three times, first producing daughters Kris and the late Karen Houghton with second husband Bob Houghton. Karen tragically died of cardiac arrest in March 2024 at age 65.

MJ’s longest marriage was to third husband Harry Shannon, lasting 40 years until his death in 2003. She is survived by Kris, her seven grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Health had been a recurring theme in MJ’s later years. She previously survived breast and colon cancer. Kim Kardashian once shared on the family’s reality show that radiation treatments from those battles had caused lasting intestinal damage.

Despite these setbacks, MJ remained active and present in family celebrations, including milestone birthday parties that were documented for the Hulu series.

The family honored MJ with a celebration of life on July 26, 2026-what would have been her 92nd birthday at the La Valencia Hotel in San Diego. The three-hour gathering focused on joy and remembrance rather than mourning, reflecting MJ’s own zest for life.

Granddaughters Kim and Khloé posted heartfelt messages, with Kim sharing final texts from the family group chat and reflections on discovering more about her grandmother’s life while sorting through belongings.

“Happy Heavenly 92nd Birthday grandma!” Kim wrote. “It’s only been a week but wow the amount of things I’ve learned about you this week from going through all of your stuff with mom has been beautiful! I thought I knew it all! Makes me respect you and love you more if that’s even possible.”

Khloé added her own tribute: “My sweet MJ. Thank you for showing us that life is meant to be celebrated, that laughter is healing, and that love is the greatest legacy we can leave behind. You lived so fully, so gracefully and so beautifully.”

The Kardashian-Jenner clan has long been open about family health matters, using their platform to raise awareness. MJ’s cancer battles were referenced in episodes, highlighting her strength.

Her passing underscores the vulnerabilities even the most glamorous families face, reminding audiences of the universal experience of loss.

In the entertainment world, where public personas often overshadow private lives, MJ stood out as a grounding force. She teased her family about their extravagant lifestyles while fiercely defending their choices. Her story is one of endurance surviving multiple cancers, outliving one husband and a daughter, and witnessing her family rise to unprecedented fame.

As the family processes this loss, tributes continue to pour in from friends, fans, and celebrities. Ellen DeGeneres was among those offering support to Kris in the immediate aftermath. The outpouring reflects not just MJ’s connection to celebrity but her role as a symbol of multi-generational family bonds in an era of constant scrutiny.

MJ’s legacy lives on through the values she instilled: fierce loyalty, kindness, and the primacy of family. While her death marks the end of an era for the Kardashian-Jenner matriarchy, the lessons she imparted will undoubtedly shape future generations.