Kim Kardashian has publicly addressed the death of her cherished grandmother, Mary Jo “MJ” Campbell, who died Thursday at the age of 91, after an awkward Instagram timing issue left some fans puzzled.
News of MJ’s passing was first shared by her daughter, Kris Jenner, 70, who posted an emotional tribute honoring the longtime Kardashian-Jenner matriarch as the “heart” of the family.
The moment quickly drew attention online when Kardashian’s Instagram account shared bikini photos from a recent lake getaway less than 15 minutes after Kris announced the family’s loss.
Confused followers rushed to the comments, with one writing, “Kim sweetie, your grandma just died,” while another noted the post appeared to be “an unfortunate time for a pre-scheduled Insta post.”
Kardashian later explained in the comments that the vacation post had been arranged several days earlier, before MJ’s death, and that its publication happened to coincide with the family’s announcement.
She added that she had spent the past week alongside her mother and grandmother, saying her focus is fully on her family as they grieve MJ and prepare to honor the remarkable life she lived.
Kim Kardashian addressed the death of her beloved grandmother Mary Jo “MJ” Campbell, 91, after a poorly timed Instagram post sparked confusion among fans
Kardashian, 45, confused followers when bikini photos from a recent lake vacation appeared on her Instagram shortly after Kris Jenner announced MJ’s death
The reality star also shared a carousel of sweet snaps with MJ as she reflected on her deep and loving bond with her.
She wrote, ‘My sweet Grandma MJ, my best friend, my gossip buddy, my forever twin… You taught all of us the importance of family, and those values are something we’ll carry with us forever!!!!!
‘You were the woman who showed me what it meant to be a hardworking businesswoman. You gave me my very first job at your store in San Diego and taught me lessons about work ethic, strength, and confidence that I’ve carried with me ever since.
‘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.
‘Give Papa Harry, Aunt Karen, and my dad a hug for me. You will always be a part of me, I love you soooooo much and I will miss you forever and ever. YOU ARE THE BEST OF US!!!
‘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.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to a representative for further comment.
Campbell became a celebrity in her own right as a frequent guest on her family’s reality show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
The show starred her daughter Jenner and her grandchildren Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, and Rob Kardashian.
A devastated Jenner announced the loss to her Instagram followers on Thursday with a touching tribute to the ‘heart’ of their family.
MJ’s death was announced by her daughter, businesswoman Kris Jenner, 70, in a devastating post, lauding the ‘heart’ of their family
The mother of businesswoman Kris Jenner, Campbell became a celebrity in her own right as a frequent guest on her family’s reality show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians
Fans commented ‘Kim sweetie, your grandma just died’ and ‘what an unfortunate time for a pre-scheduled Insta post’ on her holiday post
Kardashian later clarified her post had been pre-scheduled
The reality star later shared a carousel of sweet snaps with MJ as she reflected on her deep and loving bond with her
‘Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ,’ she posted. ‘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. She showed us how to love unconditionally and how to find joy in the little moments. She showed me how to face life’s challenges with resilience and faith.
‘Mom, thank you for every sacrifice you made, every piece of wisdom you shared, and every moment you loved us so completely. I will miss our daily talks, your smile, your laughter…
‘Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing that love like yours never truly leaves us. Your love will live on in our family, in our traditions, in every moment we are together, and in every life you touched. When I look at my kids and my grandkids, I will forever see pieces of you in all of us.
‘There is not a part of me that isn’t shaped by you. 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.
‘Every memory, every moment, every blessing, it was all because of you, and I will forever thank God every single day for making you my mommy. My heart is broken into a million pieces… thank you for giving me the greatest childhood and oh what a beautiful blessed life… I love you forever Mommy. Thank you for giving us everything.’
The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for the Kardashians for comment.
Campbell’s family shot to worldwide fame with their eponymous reality show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians – a program which also propelled her into the spotlight.
As a member of the family, she made frequent appearances on the show, was a guest at their exclusive parties, was photographed by the paparazzi, competed on Celebrity Family Feud with them, appeared in a KKW Beauty shoot, and of course made multiple cameos on her family’s Instagram accounts.
A devastated Jenner announced the loss with her Instagram followers on Thursday with a touching tribute to the ‘heart’ of their family
Campbell was one of two witnesses at her granddaughter Kourtney Kardashian’s courthouse wedding to Travis Barker at the Santa Barbara courthouse in 2022
MJ made frequent appearances on her family’s reality show over the years
MJ was a frequent guest at her family’s exclusive parties
The spotlight was not something Campbell completely shied away from earlier in her life.
Years before the Kardashians became household names, Campbell also pursued a career that put her in the spotlight, working as a model in her early years, according to People.
As an adult, however, she embraced a quieter life hundreds of miles away from glamorous Hollywood.
In 1980, she opened Shannon & Company, a children’s clothing boutique in the San Diego neighborhood of La Jolla – a store she ran for years before it eventually closed.
It was a store that was frequented by the Kardashian siblings when they were children and a place where Jenner even worked at when she was a teenager, according to People.
‘They grew up playing in the store,’ Campbell 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.’
The beloved grandmother appeared in a photo shoot for Kim’s beauty range KKW Beauty back in 2018
MJ with her great-grandchildren, Kendall and Kylie
A star in her own right, MJ was photographed by the paparazzi
MJ has also a similar love life to that of her granddaughter, Kim
The store is what ‘keeps me going. If I didn’t have the store, I would probably spend more time up [in Calabasas with family]. I want to keep my little house as my haven, because then you have some place to run to,’ she said.
Campbell was married three times in her life.
A marriage she had with her high school sweetheart ended after just two months.
She then wed Robert Houghton, whom she had daughters Kris Jenner and Karen Houghton with.
Campbell and Houghton ultimately split when Jenner was seven-years-old.
She walked down the aisle again with Harry Shannon, a marriage which lasted 40 years until his death in 2003.
It is a love life that bears a striking similarity to her granddaughter Kim – who has also been married three times.
‘We have so much in common. History repeats itself,’ Campbell once said. ‘I can’t believe it because I was married for two months at 18. Right out of high school I was given an engagement ring, a guy I had been going with for four years.
‘And then I just thought, ‘You know what? This isn’t really that much fun,’ so I got out of it.’
‘Once you got married you realized it. ‘What did I do?’ And you try to stay in there for a month or so and really try hard and you just can’t,’ she added. ‘You think, ‘I shouldn’t waste his time.’
