Kris Jenner’s younger sister Karen Houghton has passed away at the age of 65, as the Kardashian matriarch paid an emotional tribute to her sibling.
Karen — who had a famous rollercoaster relationship with 68-year-old Jenner — was reported dead to San Diego County officials on Monday in San Marcos, California. TMZ reports.
The exact circumstances of her death are unclear, with provincial officials tentatively attributing her death to natural causes.
Karen was Kris’s only sister, and the pair grew up together in San Diego and were primarily raised by mom MJ after her divorce from the couple’s father, Robert Houghton.
Sharing photos with her beloved sister, Jenner wrote, “It is with the deepest heart and deepest sadness that I share that my sister Karen passed away unexpectedly yesterday.
Kris Jenner’s younger sister Karen Houghton has died aged 65, as the Kardashian matriarch paid an emotional tribute to her sibling
Sharing photos with her beloved sister, Jenner wrote, “It is with the heaviest heart and deepest sadness that I share that my sister Karen passed away unexpectedly yesterday
“My heart aches for my mother MJ and my niece Natalie and I pray that God guides us all through this difficult time. Karen was beautiful inside and out. She was the sweetest, kindest, most sensitive and vulnerable and so funny.
“She always felt grateful and grateful for her life and cherished her family and friends and especially her beautiful daughter. She holds such a big part of my heart and I cherish every memory we have together.
“Karen’s passing reminds us that life is so short and precious and that tomorrow is never promised. We must tell those we cherish how much we love them. I love you, my beautiful sister.”
Karen is survived by her daughter Natalie who she welcomed with ex-husband Mark Zettel, mother MJ, Kris and nieces Kourtney, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and cousin Rob Kardashian.
Kris and Karen had long had a rollercoaster relationship, ranging from calling each other names in public to Kris showering her little sister with expensive gifts.
In 2019, it was revealed that the pair had reunited in an Instagram story posted by Karen’s daughter Natalie.
The feuding sisters posed smiling with Natalie, her famous cousin Kylie Jenner and their mother Mary Jo Campbell.
Karen had often been outspoken when her sister Kris had made her angry. In 2014, Karen told Radar that despite Kris and her estranged husband Bruce appearing friendly, a reunion would not happen.
Kris reunited with Karen after a period of estrangement in 2019 – with their meeting sin an Instagram story posted by Karen’s daughter Natalie Zettel – (L-R) Natalie, Karen, Mary Jo Campbell, Kris and Kylie Jenner
The exact circumstances of her death are unclear, with provincial officials tentatively attributing her death to natural causes
Kris said, “My heart aches for my mother MJ and my niece Natalie and I pray that God guides us all through this difficult time. Karen was beautiful inside and out. She was the sweetest, kindest, most sensitive and vulnerable and so funny’
Karen said, “Bruce left. He followed her, and I don’t think he’s coming back. He couldn’t take the screaming and stuff anymore.’
And she said Kris didn’t take the split well, adding: “I think she’s in trouble now because Bruce left her.” ‘Kris is alone, she is not in a relationship. She’s not the type to walk around.’
She made the comments after writing on her Facebook page in April 2014: “Pray for Kris Jenner, she needs it… crazy. She is so crazy (sic).
“She doesn’t need prayers, she needs air vodka hahaha hahaha hahaha.” And Karen explained her somewhat harsh views, saying, “I get mad at her because she doesn’t respond to me. If you think your sister would call you back, she won’t. And it hurts me.’
However, the part-time nurse also made fun of herself, in a May 2014 Facebook post, writing: ‘Be someone’s crazy aunt… it’s fantastic! !! K(sic)’
In 2016, Karen paid the ultimate compliment to the mother: she received an intensive facelift to ‘look like my beautiful sister Kris’
Karen – blamed her sibling’s celebrity status and thirst for fame and fortune.
She said, ‘I don’t care how much money you have or who you are, you are my sister. I’m not afraid of her. I can’t get to her anymore. But I think it’s about the money.
‘She’s a big celebrity and now she’s changed. I’m not saying good or bad. But I’ve seen what it can do to Kris… since she moved to LA.”
Karen admitted she had had a falling out with Kris – mainly to do with caring for their elderly mother, telling MailOnline: ‘I rang Kris up and shouted at her because I thought, ‘You need to help your mum more and that do you know. .” And I think she kind of got the message. I screamed, I don’t even care.
In 2014, the former flight attendant told Radar, “If you express a loving family and family values and a close-knit family and my mom wants to live in La Jolla, buy her a condo, Kris! I don’t understand her. I will never. It’s just her personality.’
The attack followed a 2013 interview in which Kris told Radar, “Unfortunately, my sister has been dealing with demons for years.”
In the star’s 2011 autobiography, she said of her sister, “We loved each other, and we were there for each other through thick and thin, and to this day we are part of each other’s lives.”
In 2016, Karen paid the momager the ultimate compliment: she got an intensive facelift to ‘look like my beautiful sister Kris’.
