Kourtney Kardashian has finally broken her silence on her aunt’s death, almost one month since her sudden pᴀssing.
Momager Kris Jenner’s sister Karen Houghton died on March 18, with her cause of death ruled a ‘cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac arrhythmia’, per TMZ. The family matriarch announced the news last month with a touching tribute, but Kourtney remained silent.
The 45-year-old has now spoken out about her aunt Karen’s death, sharing a snap of herself as a toddler, being held by her “auntie Karen”. She attached a heart and angel wings emoji in the rare personal post about her extended family member’s pᴀssing.
Karen, who suffered from Type 2 diabetes and bipolar disorder, died on the same day Kourtney was appearing at a star-studded Target launch party for her company Lemme. Her sister Kim had shared a tribute to their aunt all the way back on March 21.
She shared snaps of the sisters as youngsters, spending time with Karen. The 43-year-old SKIMS founder penned: “I love you so much Auntie Karen.” Karen was three years younger than Kris and the pair were raised by their now 89-year-old mum Mary Jo Campbell in California.
In a heartfelt tribute to Karen, the reality star wrote in an Instagram post: “It is with the heaviest heart and deepest sadness that I share that my sister Karen pᴀssed away yesterday unexpectedly. My heart aches for my mom MJ and my niece Natalie and I pray that God guides us all through this difficult time.”
She continued: “Karen was beautiful inside and out. She was the sweetest, kindest, the most sensitive and vulnerable and so so funny. She always felt grateful and thankful for her life and treasured her family and friends and especially her beautiful daughter. She holds such a huge part of my heart and I cherish every single memory we have together.”
Kris closed out the post describing her sister’s pᴀssing as a reminder that “life is so short and precious and tomorrow is never promised.” And expressed the importance of telling those around you how much you love and cherish them before it’s too late. In the post, Kris shared a number of snaps alongside her family member including some adorable throwbacks to them in their youth alongside the famous Kardashian clan.
Though Kris and her Kardashian-Jenner family are heavily featured in the public eye, Karen wasn’t as involved in the various reality shows about the family. The two reportedly had a complicated relationship. In 2014, Karen did an interview where she claimed that fame changed Kris. She also sided with Kris’ ex, Caitlyn Jenner, when the couple were filing for divorce.
But in 2019 it seemed that the sisters patched things up as Kris and Karen posed together for a pH๏τo around Christmas time. Also in the pH๏τo was MJ, Kris’ daughter Kylie Jenner, and Karen’s daughter Natalie Zettel. Before her death, Karen worked as a part time nurse and author.