7 Shocking Facts About Karen Houghton: The Untold Story Of Kris Jenner's Late Sister And Her Unexpected 2024 Death

The world of the Kardashian-Jenner family was shaken in March 2024 with the sudden and unexpected passing of Karen Houghton, Kris Jenner's younger sister. Her death at the age of 65 brought an end to a life lived largely outside the glare of the reality TV spotlight, yet one that was deeply intertwined with the most famous family in modern media. This article, updated in December 2025, delves into the essential and often-overlooked details of Karen Houghton's life, her private career path, her complicated relationship with her famous sibling, and the specific circumstances surrounding her tragic passing.

Karen Houghton chose a path distinct from the high-glamour, camera-filled existence of her sister, Kris Jenner, favoring a quieter life in San Diego, California. Despite the distance from the Hollywood spotlight, her connection to the family matriarch and her subsequent passing in 2024 have made her a figure of renewed public interest, revealing a story of family, resilience, and a life lived on her own terms.

Karen Houghton: A Detailed Biography and Profile

While she was most famous for her connection to the Kardashian-Jenner dynasty, Karen Houghton built a life and career far removed from the cameras. Her biography reveals a person dedicated to a service-based profession and a quiet family life.

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• Full Name: Karen Houghton
• Date of Birth: 1958
• Date of Death: March 18, 2024
• Age at Death: 65 years old
• Parents: Mary Jo "M.J." Shannon (mother) and Robert Houghton (father)
• Sibling: Kris Jenner (older sister)
• Relationship Status: Divorced (Ex-husband: Mark Zettel)
• Daughter: Natalie Zettel
• Primary Residence: San Diego, California
• Known Professions: Former Flight Attendant, Part-Time Nurse, and Author
• Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest and Sudden Cardiac Arrhythmia (Primary); Type 2 Diabetes (Secondary)

1. The Real Cause of Her Unexpected Death in March 2024

The news of Karen Houghton's death was first shared by Kris Jenner on March 19, 2024, who described her sister's passing as "unexpected." For a time, the public was left to speculate about the circumstances. However, a death certificate obtained by media outlets soon after provided clear, yet tragic, details.

Karen Houghton died from a combination of serious heart issues. The primary cause of death was officially listed as cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac arrhythmia. Furthermore, the death certificate noted Type 2 diabetes as a significant contributing factor to her passing, highlighting the underlying health struggles she faced. Her death occurred at her home in San Marcos, located in San Diego County.

2. Her Life as a Nurse and Author, Far From Hollywood

Unlike her sister, who became a powerhouse "momager" and reality television star, Karen pursued a career rooted in service and a quiet, professional life. Her career path included roles as a flight attendant and, later, a dedicated part-time nurse. The choice of nursing—a profession focused on care and health—stands in stark contrast to the often-superficial world of celebrity, underscoring her preference for a grounded existence.

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She was also known to be an author, a creative pursuit that further separated her from the business ventures of the Kardashian-Jenner brand. This professional life confirms that Karen Houghton was a woman of substance who cultivated her own identity outside of her family's colossal fame.

3. The Complicated and Rocky Relationship with Kris Jenner

The sisterhood between Karen Houghton and Kris Jenner was publicly known to be complex and, at times, strained. They were half-siblings, sharing the same mother, Mary Jo "M.J." Shannon, but having different fathers (Karen's father was Robert Houghton).

While Kris posted a heartfelt, loving tribute following Karen's death—calling her "beautiful inside and out" and "the sweetest, kindest, the most sensitive and vulnerable person"—their history included periods of estrangement. Karen had previously spoken out about her sister, suggesting that Kris had "changed" following her rise to fame and success with Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Kardashians. Despite the public and private ups and downs, Kris's immediate and emotional reaction to her sister's death confirmed that the familial bond, however complicated, remained powerful.

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4. Her Daughter, Natalie Zettel, is a Kardashian-Jenner Cousin

A key figure in Karen's life was her daughter, Natalie Zettel, who is a cousin to the famous Kardashian and Jenner children. Natalie, who is around the same age as her cousin Kylie Jenner, has occasionally appeared in the public eye, notably through social media posts and family gatherings.

Natalie Zettel publicly mourned the loss of her mother, sharing emotional tributes that highlighted the sudden nature of the tragedy. Her presence in the extended family, including her likeness to some of her famous cousins, serves as a poignant reminder of the familial ties that connect Karen's life to the wider Kardashian-Jenner world.

5. Mary Jo Shannon's Role as the Family Matriarch

Both Kris and Karen were raised in Southern California by their mother, Mary Jo Shannon, affectionately known as "M.J." M.J. is a beloved and recurring figure on the family's reality shows, representing the foundation of the family tree. The shared experience of being raised by M.J. provided the sisters with a common background, despite their later diverging paths and the complications in their adult relationship. M.J.'s enduring presence as the family matriarch is a testament to the strong, albeit sometimes fractured, roots of the family.

6. The San Diego Life: A Deliberate Choice for Privacy

Karen's choice to live her life in San Diego, California, was a deliberate move toward privacy and away from the Los Angeles-based media circus that surrounds her sister. This decision allowed her to maintain a degree of normalcy and focus on her career as a nurse and her family life with her daughter, Natalie Zettel. This geographical and lifestyle separation is a crucial element in understanding Karen Houghton's personal identity—she was a woman who valued her independence and a life shielded from constant media scrutiny, preferring the quiet rhythm of the Southern California coast.

7. The Legacy of Unfiltered Honesty

In a family known for carefully curated public images, Karen Houghton's occasional public comments about her sister stood out for their unfiltered honesty. While some of her statements were critical of Kris's transformation into a celebrity mogul, they were often framed with a sense of loss for the sister she once knew. Her legacy is one of a loving sister who struggled with the impact of extreme fame on her family. Her passing has prompted a re-examination of the family's dynamics and the price of their extraordinary global success, solidifying her place as the family member who chose a life of quiet integrity over the pursuit of celebrity.