Kris Jenner’s mother Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon’s death certificate has shed new light on how she died at age 91 earlier this month.
On Tuesday, July 28, Us exclusively obtained Shannon’s death certificate, which stated her immediate cause of death was acute cardiopulmonary arrest.
Other conditions leading to her death included acute respiratory failure and metastatic lung cancer, which Shannon had for months before her death, according to the certificate.
Shannon died at a Los Angeles hospital on July 16 and was cremated on July 23, the death certificate confirmed. No autopsy was performed after her death.
Jenner, 70, announced on July 16 that her mom had died 10 days before she would have celebrated her 92nd birthday on Sunday, July 26.
“Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ. 😞💔,” Jenner shared via Instagram at the time. “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.”
Shannon’s death brought the entire Kardashian family together as various members — including Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian and even Kylie Jenner’s boyfriend Timothée Chalamet’s mother Nicole Flender — paid tribute to the late matriarch.
“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,” Khloé, 42, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, July 19 along with some throwback photos. “You lived so fully, so gracefully and so beautifully.”
On July 17, Kim shared what appeared to be the final text messages on her “Entire Family Group Chat,” where Jenner exchanged biblical quotations with Shannon only a few days before her death.
The Kardashian-Jenner clan came together again on Sunday to commemorate what would have been Shannon’s 92nd birthday.
“Happy Heavenly 92nd Birthday grandma!” Kim, 45, wrote via Instagram. “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. Today we celebrate you! I miss you like crazy and I love you endlessly my sweet grandma MJ.”
Jenner shared a carousel of lovely photos of the family, along with a birthday message, “Happy Heavenly Birthday Mommy. I love you. 🤍”
Shannon was married three times — her first marriage to her high-school sweetheart at age 18 only lasted for two months. She later tied the knot with Robert “Bob” Houghton, with whom she shared daughters Kris and Karen Houghton. (Karen died in March 2024 at age 65.)
Following her divorce from Bob in 1962, MJ was married to third husband Harry Shannon for 40 years until his death in 2003.
“She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and is survived by her daughter, Kris Jenner, her seven beloved grandchildren, who brought her endless happiness and pride, and her 13 beautiful great-grandchildren, whom she loved so dearly,” an online obituary stated. “Mary Jo will be remembered for her warmth, entrepreneurial spirit, love of La Jolla, and the lasting mark she left on the community she cherished.”
