Newly Released Death Certificate Reveals How Kris Jenner’s Mom Died

The official cause of death for Kris Jenner‘s mom, Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, has been revealed nearly two weeks after the beloved Kardashian-Jenner family matriarch passed away at the age of 91.

According to a newly obtained death certificate, MJ died from acute cardiopulmonary arrest, with acute respiratory failure and metastatic lung cancer listed as underlying conditions that contributed to her death.

The document also reveals she had been battling lung cancer for several months before her passing, offering new insight into a health struggle the family had largely kept private.

The death certificate, obtained by Us Weekly, states that MJ died at a Los Angeles hospital on July 16, the same day Kris Jenner publicly announced her mother’s passing.

The document lists acute cardiopulmonary arrest as the immediate cause of death. It also identifies acute respiratory failure and metastatic lung cancer as contributing factors, confirming that MJ had been living with advanced lung cancer for months before her death. She was cremated on July 23, and no autopsy was performed.

While the Kardashian-Jenner family never publicly disclosed MJ’s cancer diagnosis, the newly released records have revealed the health challenges she quietly faced in the months leading up to her death.

The revelation comes just days after family members gathered to celebrate what would have been MJ’s 92nd birthday, turning what should have been a joyful occasion into another emotional tribute to the woman many have described as the heart of their family.

Kris Jenner Called Her Mother The Heart Of The Family

When announcing MJ’s death, Kris shared an emotional message reflecting on the profound influence her mother had on both her life and the Kardashian-Jenner family.

“Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ,” Kris wrote on Instagram. “There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me or the heartbreak of having to say goodbye.”

She went on to describe her mother as “the heart of our family,” crediting MJ with teaching generations of the family the importance of unconditional love, resilience, kindness, and always putting family first.

Kris also reflected on the countless daily phone calls, shared memories, and life lessons she received from her mother, saying those moments had become some of her life’s greatest blessings.

The Kardashian Family Has Continued Honoring MJ’s Legacy

In the days following MJ’s death, tributes poured in from nearly every corner of the Kardashian-Jenner family.

Kim Kardashian shared screenshots of what appeared to be one of the family’s final group text conversations with her grandmother, revealing heartfelt exchanges filled with Bible verses and expressions of love just days before MJ died. She later admitted that sorting through her grandmother’s belongings had introduced her to stories she had never heard before, saying the experience made her admire MJ even more.

Khloé Kardashian remembered her grandmother as someone who celebrated life with joy and taught her family that laughter could help heal even the deepest wounds.

Kourtney Kardashian also paid tribute on what would have been MJ’s birthday, while Kylie Jenner’s boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet’s mother, Nicole Flender, left a touching public message saying she was grateful she had the chance to know the beloved family matriarch.

The Blast previously reported that Kris marked the milestone birthday by sharing never-before-seen family photos and admitting that celebrating without her mother was one of the hardest things she had ever faced.

Kris Jenner’s Mom Was A Familiar Face To Reality TV Fans

Long before becoming affectionately known to millions simply as “MJ,” Mary Jo Shannon had already built a life as an entrepreneur.

She founded the children’s clothing boutique Shannon & Co. in San Diego in 1980, an experience many fans believe helped inspire Kris Jenner’s own business instincts decades later.

As the Kardashian empire expanded through “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and later “The Kardashians,” MJ became a fan favorite thanks to her quick wit, warmth, and playful sense of humor.

Whether appearing alongside Kris during family gatherings or offering advice to her grandchildren, she developed her own loyal following among viewers who appreciated her grounded personality amid the family’s glamorous lifestyle.

Over the years, she formed especially close relationships with Kim Kardashian and Khloé Kardashian, who frequently included their grandmother in birthdays, holidays, and milestone celebrations shared across social media.

Kris Jenner Once Revealed Why MJ Refused To Give Up Her Independence

Long before Kris Jenner’s mom passed away, Kris spoke candidly about the independence that defined Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon well into her nineties.

During an appearance on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast in November 2025, Kris revealed that she had repeatedly invited her mother to move into one of her homes. MJ, however, politely refused each time.

“She’s so independent, which I admire and love,” Kris explained, adding that although MJ lived only about a mile away, she loved her own routine and enjoyed waking up every morning overlooking the ocean from her longtime home in La Jolla.

Kris said they remained in constant contact through frequent phone calls and text messages, describing their close relationship while emphasizing her mother’s determination to continue living life on her own terms.