Kris Jenner tried to stop Kim Kardashian’s wedding: Grandma MJ then gave advice during divorce

Kim Kardashian is opening up about the personal advice her late grandmother, Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, gave her during her highly publicized divorce from Kris Humphries, and why those words still carry so much meaning.

Kim Kardashian’s 72-day marriage to former NBA player Kris Humphries remains one of the most talked-about relationships in reality television history. But behind the extravagant wedding, television cameras and intense public scrutiny, Kardashian was struggling with a decision she already knew she needed to make.

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Now, 15 years later, the SKIMS founder is revealing how her late grandmother, Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, helped her find the courage to walk away from an unhappy marriage.

In journalist Jonathan Van Meter‘s new book, Citizen Kim: The Woman Who Created the Future, Kardashian recalls the deeply personal conversation that helped her put her happiness ahead of embarrassment and public expectations.

Her grandmother’s message was simple but powerful: “You have to be happy. You have to be.”

What Did Grandma MJ Tell Kim Kardashian About Her Divorce?

When Kardashian filed for divorce from Humphries in October 2011, just 72 days after their lavish wedding, she faced widespread criticism. The couple’s August wedding had been a major television event, and ending the marriage so quickly raised questions about their relationship and the reality star’s intentions.

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According to Kardashian, her grandmother understood the emotional pressure better than most people because she had experienced something remarkably similar. MJ revealed that her own parents had saved their money to give her a beautiful wedding when she was young. However, shortly after getting married, she realized she had made a mistake.

Despite feeling embarrassed about disappointing her family and wasting money on the celebration, MJ ultimately chose to end the marriage.

Kardashian recalled her grandmother explaining how difficult it was to make that decision, particularly when she feared her parents would never speak to her again.

Kim Kardashian Admits She Knew Her Marriage to Kris Humphries Was a Mistake

Perhaps the most surprising revelation from Kardashian’s latest reflections is that she had doubts about marrying Humphries before their wedding even happened. In the book, the reality star admits she initially dismissed her instincts as ordinary pre-wedding anxiety.

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However, she now believes she should have listened to those feelings instead of moving forward with the ceremony.

Kardashian explained that filming commitments and the possibility of being labeled a runaway bride influenced her decision. She worried that canceling such a highly publicized wedding would create an even bigger spectacle than going through with it.

Looking back, Kim Kardashian acknowledges that avoiding temporary embarrassment was not worth entering a marriage she already questioned.

Kris Jenner Also Tried to Stop Kim Kardashian’s Wedding

Grandma MJ was not the only family member concerned about Kardashian’s relationship. Her mother, Kris Jenner, also sensed that something was wrong before the ceremony.

In Citizen Kim, Jenner recalls approaching her daughter during the wedding rehearsal in Montecito, California, and expressing concerns about whether she was making the right decision.

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Jenner even offered to help Kardashian cancel the wedding and manage the fallout. Despite her mother’s concerns, Kardashian proceeded with the ceremony on August 20, 2011.

The elaborate celebration later appeared in a two-part Keeping Up With the Kardashians wedding special.

On October 31, 2011, Kardashian filed for divorce, setting off a lengthy legal process that continued well beyond the marriage itself.

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Humphries subsequently sought an annulment, alleging the marriage had been fraudulent. Kardashian denied those allegations, and the divorce was finalized in June 2013. 

Kim Kardashian and Grandma MJ Shared a Special Connection

Kardashian’s latest comments highlight a connection she had previously discussed with her grandmother. In December 2018, Kardashian shared an old photograph from MJ’s first wedding and revealed that her grandmother’s marriage had lasted approximately two and a half months.

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The similarity to Kardashian’s own 72-day marriage was not lost on her. In the Instagram tribute, Kardashian acknowledged that MJ had experienced the same disappointment and embarrassment that can accompany ending a marriage shortly after the wedding.

She also credited her grandmother with teaching her to follow her heart, even when doing so meant disappointing other people.

The two had previously joked about their short-lived marriages in a 2017 conversation shared through Kardashian’s website and app.