Kim Kardashian Reveals Final Texts From Grandma MJ Shannon Before Her Death

Inside the Tight Bond Kris Jenner's Mother MJ Shannon Shared With Her Grandchildren; Kardashians' Bodyguard Mason Haynes Dies in Traffic Accident at 52; Khloe Kardashian Shares “Core Memories” From Lake Trip With True, Tatum and Their Cousins; and more from E! News...

July 19, 2026   View Online  Kim Kardashian Reveals Final Texts From Grandma MJ Shannon Before Her Death Kim Kardashian Reveals Final Texts From Grandma MJ Shannon Before Her Death FULL DETAILS Inside the Tight Bond Kris Jenner's Mother MJ Shannon Shared With Her Grandchildren Kim Kardashian didn't mean to follow in her grandmother Mary Jo "MJ" Shannon's footsteps in this particular way, but she relished being able to compare notes. "I just found this pic of my beautiful grandma MJ at her 1st wedding," Kim, whose 2011 marriage to Kris Humphries infamously lasted 72 days, shared on Instagram in 2018. "It lasted just 2.5 months and her family spent all they had on this wedding. She felt so bad but followed her heart. Kinda sounds familiar lol." But such was an anecdote that Kim and her maternal grandmother could laugh about, one of countless bonding moments between MJ and her seven grandchildren, including her late daughter Karen Houghton's only daughter, Natalie Zettel. Sadly, Kris Jenner shared July 16 that her mother died just a couple weeks shy of her 92nd birthday, meaning the Kardashian-Jenner family are now mourning their matriarch. In paying tribute to her "best friend, my gossip buddy, my forever twin" in a July 16 tribute, Kim wrote that MJ "taught all of us the importance of family, and those values are something we’ll carry with us forever!!!!!" And she endlessly cherished her grandma in life, as well. "From staying with you in the summers growing up and u taking us to the beach to our long Sunday talks and tea sessions," Kim captioned an Instagram carousel when MJ turned 90 on July 26, 2024. "You really have been the best example of strength and independence." And of course Kim wasn't the only one who considered MJ—who had daughters Kris and Karen with first husband Robert True Houghton, then married Harry Shannon (who died in 2003) and became stepmom to his son Steve Shannon—a singular figure in their lives. Among the vast number of family members she had to choose from, Kourtney Kardashian picked MJ to witness her and Travis Barker's private courthouse vows in May 2022 before they threw a massive destination wedding in Italy. To mark her "special, sweet, chic, sophisticated, smart and most wonderful" grandmother's 88th birthday that July, Kourtney posted never-before-seen photos of the VIPs (Barker's dad Randy Barker was the other witness), writing, "So happy you could be one of the only two guests we had when we were legally married, I will always remember this day and night with you." Long preceding Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian—who opened their first Dash boutique before Keeping Up With the Kardashians took off in 2007—MJ had a children's clothing store in La Jolla, Calif., for decades. And not only did Kris work there as a teenager, her grandkids were no doubt inspired as well. "They grew up playing in the store,” MJ told the Daily Beast in 2012. “I recall Kim sitting on this very floor and counting money. She would sing, ‘Counting is the game, and money is my name,’ or ‘Money is my name and counting is the game.’ Something like that." Because of course there's no such thing as TMI when it comes to the Kards, Kim told MJ that she had inspired her in the bedroom as well as in business. Or not the bedroom, exactly... “Pete and I were staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel last weekend, and we were sitting in front of the fireplace, just talking for hours," Kim, who dated Pete Davidson between October 2021 and August 2022, shared with MJ on an episode of The Kardashians. "And I was like, 'My grandma told me that you really live life when you have sex in front of the fireplace,’ and so we had sex in front of the fireplace in honor of you.” Unfazed, the great-grandmother of 13 concurred with Kim that maybe it was "creepy" to think of one's grandma before sex. But, the nonagenarian added, "I was younger once." Of course, shout-outs to MJ came in all shapes over the years. In 2016, Kylie Jenner got "Mary Jo" in script—her grandma's name in her grandfather's handwriting—tattooed in red on her inner arm. And after Khloe welcomed daughter True Thompson with now ex-partner Tristan Thompson in April 2018, she revealed on her app that MJ was the one who suggested she name her first child True. (Congenially suggesting her ex-husband's middle name—which he got from his dad, True Otis Houghton—is yet another way MJ set an example for her inclusive, invite-the-exes-to-holidays offspring.) In 2019 on KUWTK, Kendall Jenner offered help to MJ amid some health struggles, telling her grandma over the phone, “I just wanted to call you and tell you that Kylie and I took my mom so she could relax and that if you need anything, you can text me and Kylie." Kris gratefully accepted her younger daughters' help, and Kylie assured her, “I would love to spend more time with MJ." But while MJ gained her own brand of fame from her stalwart presence in their lives, she didn't add to her daughter and grandkids' massive social media footprint. However, nor did she miss their affectionate tributes and sweet pics of the younger Kardashian-Jenner generations, Kim revealing on Instagram in 2020 that MJ actually "has a creep IG account to see what we’re all up to." And here's hoping that heaven gets good WiFi. In her July 16 tribute, Kim wrote to her grandma, "You were the woman who showed me what it meant to be a hardworking businesswoman. You always believed in me, championed me, and were my safe place. You truly were the matriarch of our family, and your love is woven into all of us. I know you’re at peace now." And, the mother of four continued, "I know you are up in heaven, looking at all of our Instagram posts of you from your sneaky finsta account you would always use lol." See more of MJ's life in Kris' precious family photos: Inside the Tight Bond Kris Jenner's Mother MJ Shannon Shared With Her Grandchildren LEARN MORE Kardashians' Bodyguard Mason Haynes Dies in Traffic Accident at 52 Hollywood is mourning the longtime celebrity bodyguard. Mason Haynes—who worked with the Kardashian-Jenner family, Lewis Hamilton, Charlie Puth and more stars—died in a traffic accident on July 4 at the age of 52, according to a GoFundMe set up for his family. "Some people pass through life. Others leave a mark on everyone they meet," the fundraiser's description read. "Mason Haynes was one of those rare, exceptional people." "Two days before what would have been his 53rd birthday, Mason’s life was taken far too soon in a tragic road traffic accident," the message continued. "He leaves behind his devoted wife Fay, his daughter Brooke, his son Noah, a loving family, and an extraordinary circle of friends spread across the world." The GoFundMe remembered Haynes as a "man who made people feel welcome from the moment they met him," "who would cross countries to help a friend" and "who never let a loved one down and who saw the deep qualities in people that others often overlooked." "A protector. A mentor. A prankster," the description noted. "A giant in every sense of the word, with an even bigger heart." Along with his loved ones honoring his memory, Haynes' employer Trojan Security UK shared a touching tribute on Instagram, which featured a photo of him and Kris Jenner."We would like to pay homage to an absolute legend in the Close Protection game," the security company wrote on Instagram July 6. "Big Mason. Gone too soon. Rest easy and fly high Brother." "A protector. A mentor. A prankster," the description noted. "A giant in every sense of the word, with an even bigger heart." Along with his loved ones honoring his memory, Haynes' employer Trojan Security UK shared a touching tribute on Instagram, which featured a photo of him and Kris Jenner. "We would like to pay homage to an absolute legend in the Close Protection game," the security company wrote on Instagram July 6. "Big Mason. Gone too soon. Rest easy and fly high Brother." After graduating from college, Haynes made the decision to work in security full-time and started working in "close protection" for celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kanye West and more of their family members.  "Initially, I worked with the Kardashian family, namely Kim, Kris, Kendall and Kanye too," he recalled to London Now in 2018. "Additionally, I was one of Kevin Hart’s bodyguards. Currently I’m Charlie Puth's personal protection, as well as Lewis Hamilton’s, and recently went to Dubai with him and Nicki Minaj." In fact, Haynes was working security for the Kardashian family during one of their most traumatic moments: Kim's 2016 Paris robbery. "Most prominently you’d have to talk about the Paris robbery on Kim Kardashian," he replied when asked if a job ever left him injured, "although I can’t go into much detail about that, I was part of that team, and that incident was simply a set of unfortunate circumstances which led to something bad happening." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Kardashians' Bodyguard Mason Haynes Dies in Traffic Accident at 52 LEARN MORE Khloe Kardashian Shares “Core Memories” From Lake Trip With True, Tatum and Their Cousins The Kardashians are keeping up with family traditions.  After all, Khloe Kardashian gave a look at the family’s latest lake trip, sharing highlights from quality time with her and ex Tristan Thompson’s kids True Thompson, 8, and Tatum Thompson, 3.  In photos Khloe posted to Instagram July 13, the family appeared to enjoy time on the water as well as traditional games like tug of war and tubing. In addition to her own little ones, Khloe shared a peek at some cousin bonding featuring brother Rob Kardashian’s 9-year-old daughter Dream Kardashian and Kim Kardashian’s 8-year-old daughter Chicago West.  Alongside the wrap of sweet moments, the Khloud founder mused, “Core memories.” Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner proved she loved seeing her grandchildren have fun together, writing in a comment, “My heart.” Meanwhile, Kim—also mom to North West, 13, Saint West, 10 and Psalm West, 7, with ex Kanye West—also shared some highlights from the trip to Idaho, including a sweet selfie with boyfriend Lewis Hamilton and Chicago. The 45-year-old also proved that there was fun for the whole family, showing off her and Khloe, 42, hitting the pickleball court, while the young boys were featured trying out some dirt bikes.  Despite his and Blac Chyna (real name Angela White)’s daughter joining on the cousin trip, Rob did not make an appearance in either of his sisters’ photo dumps. However, Khloe has previously joked she feels like the “third parent” to the 9-year-old—and it’s a role that Khloe was more than willing to volunteer for.  “I absolutely love being a mom to people," she explained during a 2023 episode of The Kardashians. “I love mothering people.” Indeed, the Good American founder admitted, “It's so in my blood just to be a mom. I wouldn't have it any other way.” Khloe has emphasized that she still loves her role even when it doesn’t mean having fun by the lake.  “I know it's cliché, but I love everything, even the hard parts," she told Elle in 2022. “It’s super scary, but I take my job very seriously. I love it so much.” For a deeper look into the next generation of the Kardashian family, keep reading… For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Khloe Kardashian Shares “Core Memories” From Lake Trip With True, Tatum and Their Cousins LEARN MORE Lewis Hamilton Poses With Kim Kardashian, Her Kids in New Photos From Lakeside Trip Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton shared a closer look into his podium-worthy romance with Kim Kardashian, posting snaps from their Idaho lakeside getaway with the SKIMS mogul's kids. Lewis Hamilton Poses With Kim Kardashian, Her Kids in New Photos From Lakeside Trip LEARN MORE Download the E! News App Faster Updates, Exclusive Stories You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for Kards Katch Up. If you no longer want to receive this newsletter, click here to unsubscribe.    Manage Subscriptions | Contact| Privacy Policy   E! Entertainment Television, LLC.  10 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA 91608