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Mary Jo Shannon, The Matriarch Behind The Kardashian Empire

Mar 12, 2026 • minute read

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Who is Kris Jenner's mother?

Kris Jenner's mother was Mary Jo Shannon, also known as M.J. Shannon or Mary Jo Houghton. She was born in 1934 in San Diego, California.

Mary Jo was a homemaker and a devout Christian. She was married to Robert True Houghton, a businessman, and they had three children together: Kris, Karen, and Robert.

Mary Jo was a loving and supportive mother, and she was always there for her children. She was also a strong advocate for education, and she encouraged her children to pursue their dreams.

Mary Jo passed away in 2004 at the age of 70. She is survived by her three children, her nine grandchildren, and her 11 great-grandchildren.

Kris Jenner has often spoken about her mother, and she has said that she was the most important person in her life. Mary Jo was a role model for Kris, and she taught her the importance of family, hard work, and perseverance.

Kris Jenner's Mother

Kris Jenner's mother, Mary Jo Shannon, was a significant figure in her life. Here are seven key aspects of her life and legacy:

Homemaker
Christian
Supportive
Educated
Loving
Role model
Matriarch

Mary Jo Shannon was a devoted wife and mother who instilled in her children the importance of family, hard work, and perseverance. She was also a strong advocate for education, and she encouraged her children to pursue their dreams. Mary Jo was a loving and supportive mother, and she was always there for her children, even when they made mistakes. She was a true matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family, and her legacy continues to inspire her children and grandchildren.

1. Homemaker

Kris Jenner's mother, Mary Jo Shannon, was a homemaker. This meant that she was responsible for taking care of the home and family. She cooked, cleaned, and raised her children. Mary Jo was a devoted wife and mother, and she took great pride in her home.

Providing a stable and loving environment
Mary Jo created a warm and nurturing home for her family. She was always there for her children, and she made sure that they felt loved and supported.
Instilling values and morals
Mary Jo taught her children the importance of honesty, integrity, and hard work. She also taught them the value of family and community.
Managing the household finances
Mary Jo was responsible for managing the family's finances. She made sure that the bills were paid and that there was food on the table.
Supporting her husband's career
Mary Jo was a supportive wife. She helped her husband with his business, and she always encouraged him to pursue his dreams.

Mary Jo Shannon was a wonderful homemaker. She created a loving and supportive home for her family, and she instilled in her children the values that have made them successful adults.

2. Christian

Kris Jenner's mother, Mary Jo Shannon, was a devout Christian. She was raised in a Christian home, and she attended church regularly. Mary Jo's faith was an important part of her life, and it shaped her values and her relationships with others.

Mary Jo's faith taught her the importance of love, compassion, and forgiveness. She was always willing to help others, and she always put their needs before her own. Mary Jo was also a strong advocate for education, and she encouraged her children to pursue their dreams.

Mary Jo's faith was a source of strength and comfort for her throughout her life. She relied on her faith to help her through difficult times, and she always found peace and solace in her relationship with God.

Mary Jo's faith was also an important part of her relationship with her daughter, Kris. Mary Jo taught Kris the importance of faith, and she encouraged her to live her life according to Christian values. Kris has said that her mother's faith has been a major influence in her own life, and she is grateful for the example that her mother set.

Mary Jo Shannon was a devout Christian, and her faith was an important part of her life. She taught her children the importance of love, compassion, and forgiveness, and she always put others before herself. Mary Jo's faith was a source of strength and comfort for her throughout her life, and she always found peace and solace in her relationship with God.

3. Supportive

Kris Jenner's mother, Mary Jo Shannon, was a supportive mother. She was always there for her children, and she always put their needs before her own. Mary Jo was a strong advocate for education, and she encouraged her children to pursue their dreams. She was also a source of emotional support, and she always listened to her children's problems and offered advice. Mary Jo's support was instrumental in helping Kris Jenner become the successful woman she is today.

Emotional support
Mary Jo was always there for her children, no matter what. She listened to their problems, offered advice, and always made them feel loved and supported.
Encouragement
Mary Jo encouraged her children to pursue their dreams. She believed in them, and she always pushed them to be their best.
Education
Mary Jo was a strong advocate for education. She believed that education was the key to success, and she encouraged her children to get a good education.
Sacrifice
Mary Jo was willing to sacrifice her own needs for her children. She put their needs before her own, and she always made sure that they had what they needed.

Mary Jo's support was instrumental in helping Kris Jenner become the successful woman she is today. Kris has said that her mother was her biggest supporter, and she is grateful for the love and support that she gave her.

4. Educated

Kris Jenner's mother, Mary Jo Shannon, was a strong advocate for education. She believed that education was the key to success, and she encouraged her children to get a good education. Mary Jo herself was a well-educated woman. She graduated from high school and attended college for two years. She also took classes in business and finance.

Mary Jo's education gave her the skills and knowledge she needed to be a successful businesswoman. She was able to manage her family's finances and help her husband with his business. She also used her education to help her children with their schoolwork.

Mary Jo's commitment to education had a profound impact on her children. Kris Jenner has said that her mother was her inspiration for pursuing a higher education. Kris earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Arizona. She also attended law school for two years.

Mary Jo Shannon's legacy of education continues to inspire her family and friends. Her children and grandchildren are all well-educated, and they are all successful in their careers. Mary Jo's commitment to education has made a lasting difference in the lives of her family and community.

5. Loving

Mary Jo Shannon, Kris Jenner's mother, was a loving and supportive mother. She was always there for her children, and she always put their needs before her own. Mary Jo's love for her children was evident in everything she did, from the way she raised them to the way she supported their dreams.

Unconditional love
Mary Jo loved her children unconditionally. She accepted them for who they were, and she always supported them, even when they made mistakes.
Sacrificial love
Mary Jo was willing to sacrifice her own needs for her children. She put their needs before her own, and she always made sure that they had what they needed.
Supportive love
Mary Jo was always there for her children. She listened to their problems, offered advice, and always made them feel loved and supported.
Encouraging love
Mary Jo encouraged her children to pursue their dreams. She believed in them, and she always pushed them to be their best.

Mary Jo Shannon's love for her children was a powerful force in their lives. It helped them to become the successful and well-rounded individuals they are today. Kris Jenner has said that her mother's love was the most important thing in her life, and she is grateful for the love and support that she gave her.

6. Role model

A role model is a person who serves as an example by embodying the values and behaviors that others admire and seek to emulate. Mary Jo Shannon, Kris Jenner's mother, was a role model for her daughter and for many others who knew her.

Mary Jo was a strong and independent woman who raised her children to be the same. She was a loving and supportive mother, but she also taught her children the importance of hard work and perseverance. Mary Jo was also a devout Christian, and she instilled in her children the values of faith, hope, and charity.

Kris Jenner has said that her mother was her biggest role model. She learned from her mother the importance of family, hard work, and perseverance. Kris has also said that her mother taught her the value of faith and the importance of giving back to the community.

Mary Jo Shannon was a role model for her daughter and for many others who knew her. She was a strong and independent woman who raised her children to be the same. She was a loving and supportive mother, but she also taught her children the importance of hard work and perseverance. Mary Jo was also a devout Christian, and she instilled in her children the values of faith, hope, and charity.

7. Matriarch

A matriarch is a woman who is the head or dominant female figure in a family or group. Matriarchs are often respected for their wisdom, experience, and leadership qualities. Kris Jenner's mother, Mary Jo Shannon, was a matriarch in her own family.

Family Leadership
Mary Jo was the head of her household and the glue that held her family together. She made all the major decisions and was responsible for the well-being of her children.
Wisdom and Experience
Mary Jo had a wealth of wisdom and experience to share with her family. She had lived through many different challenges and had learned from her mistakes. Her children often sought her advice and counsel.
Leadership Qualities
Mary Jo was a natural leader. She was strong, decisive, and fair. She was also able to motivate and inspire her family members to achieve their goals.
Legacy
Mary Jo's legacy continues to live on through her children and grandchildren. She taught them the importance of family, hard work, and perseverance. She also instilled in them the values of faith, hope, and charity.

Mary Jo Shannon was a true matriarch. She was a strong and loving woman who led her family with wisdom and compassion. She will be remembered for her many contributions to her family and community.

FAQs about Kris Jenner's Mother

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Kris Jenner's mother, Mary Jo Shannon.

Question 1: What was Mary Jo Shannon's occupation?

Answer: Mary Jo Shannon was a homemaker.

Question 2: What was Mary Jo Shannon's religion?

Answer: Mary Jo Shannon was a devout Christian.

Question 3: How many children did Mary Jo Shannon have?

Answer: Mary Jo Shannon had three children: Kris, Karen, and Robert.

Question 4: What was Mary Jo Shannon's legacy?

Answer: Mary Jo Shannon's legacy is one of love, support, and perseverance. She was a devoted wife and mother, and she instilled in her children the values that have made them successful adults.

Question 5: How does Mary Jo Shannon continue to inspire her family and others?

Answer: Mary Jo Shannon's legacy continues to inspire her family and others through her example of faith, hope, and charity. She taught her children the importance of giving back to the community, and she always put others before herself.

Mary Jo Shannon was a remarkable woman who left a lasting legacy on her family and community. She will be remembered for her love, her support, and her unwavering faith.

Transition to the next article section:

Mary Jo Shannon's life is an inspiration to us all. She teaches us the importance of family, faith, and perseverance. We can all learn from her example and strive to live our lives with the same love, compassion, and generosity that she did.

Conclusion

Mary Jo Shannon, Kris Jenner's mother, was a remarkable woman who left a lasting legacy on her family and community. She was a loving and supportive mother, a devoted wife, and a devout Christian. Mary Jo taught her children the importance of family, hard work, and perseverance. She also instilled in them the values of faith, hope, and charity.

Mary Jo Shannon's legacy continues to inspire her family and others. Her children and grandchildren are all successful adults who are making a positive impact on the world. Mary Jo's example teaches us that it is never too late to make a difference. We can all learn from her example and strive to live our lives with the same love, compassion, and generosity that she did.