Kardashian Family's Beloved Grandmother MJ Dies at 91

Mary Jo "MJ" Shannon, the beloved grandmother of the Armenian-American Kardashian siblings and a familiar face to millions through the family's reality television shows, has died at the age of 91.

Kris Jenner announced her mother's death Thursday in a heartfelt Instagram tribute, remembering Shannon as "the heart of our family" and honoring the love, strength and guidance she provided throughout her life.

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

Shannon became known to audiences worldwide through her appearances on the Kardashian family's television series, where she was affectionately called "MJ." She was the maternal grandmother of Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Rob Kardashian, whose late father, Robert Kardashian, was an Armenian-American attorney and businessman. 

In her tribute, Jenner credited her mother with shaping the family's values, saying Shannon taught her to love unconditionally, show kindness and always put family first.

"There is not a part of me that isn't shaped by you," Jenner wrote. "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."

Jenner said her family's hearts are broken but expressed confidence that her mother's legacy will continue through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"My heart is broken into a million pieces," she wrote. "Thank you for giving me the greatest childhood and oh what a beautiful blessed life. I love you forever Mommy."

The family has not announced Shannon's cause of death.

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