Jan Ashley may not be a famous face on television, but her story connects deeply with one of America’s most talked-about families, the Kardashians. She was the second wife of Robert Kardashian Sr., the well-known lawyer and father of Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, and Rob Kardashian. Unlike the rest of the family, Jan chose a quiet, private life, far from fame and cameras.
Born and raised in Texas, Jan was admired for her beauty, confidence, and quiet strength. From winning Miss Tulsa in 1966 to living a life defined by grace and dignity, she carried herself with poise in every chapter. Her short time with Robert brought both attention and challenge, but she chose peace over publicity. Jan Ashley’s life remains a story of elegance, love, and independence beyond fame.
Quick Bio of Jan Ashley
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Jan Ashley (born Janice Lynn Glass) |
| Famous For | Being the second wife of Robert Kardashian Sr. |
| Date of Birth | August 3, 1948 |
| Place of Birth | Amarillo, Texas, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Occupation | Former beauty pageant winner and homemaker |
| Known Achievement | Crowned Miss Tulsa in 1966 |
| First Husband | John Ashley (actor and film producer, married 1978–1997) |
| Second Husband | Robert Kardashian Sr. (attorney and businessman, married 1998–annulled 1999) |
| Date of Death | October 1, 2015 |
| Age at Death | 67 years |
| Place of Death | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States |
| Burial Place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California |
Early Life and Background
Jan Ashley was born on August 3, 1948, in Amarillo, Texas, United States. Growing up in a small town, she experienced a simple and traditional American childhood. Life in Amarillo was peaceful and close to nature, where family values and community were central. Her early years shaped her kind and graceful personality, which people would later remember about her.
From a young age, Jan stood out for her charm and confidence. Friends described her as elegant and warm, someone who carried herself with ease. Her natural poise opened doors to new experiences that later changed her life. She grew up in an era when beauty pageants were popular, and they gave young women a way to shine and express themselves. This became one of Jan’s early passions.
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Life Before Meeting Robert Kardashian
Before Jan met Robert Kardashian, she had already lived through both love and loss. In 1978, she married John Ashley, a popular actor and film producer known for Apocalypse Now and The A-Team. Their marriage was filled with love and mutual respect. Although John worked in Hollywood, Jan preferred a private life away from flashing cameras and gossip.
Their relationship lasted until John’s death in 1997. His passing deeply affected Jan, but she remained strong and focused on healing. Friends said she never lost her gentle nature, even through grief. A year later, her life changed again when she met Robert Kardashian.
Beauty Pageant Success
Jan Ashley’s charm and confidence first gained attention in 1966 when she won the title of Miss Tulsa. This achievement brought her local recognition and opened doors for modeling and public appearances.
Beauty pageants during that time celebrated more than looks. They valued confidence, intelligence, and the ability to connect with people. Jan’s success showed she had all of those qualities. Her victory as Miss Tulsa marked the beginning of a life filled with poise and self-assurance, traits she carried with her into adulthood.
How Old Was Jan Ashley?
Jan Ashley was born in 1948 and passed away in 2015, which means she lived to be 67 years old. Her life journey spanned nearly seven decades filled with change, love, and personal growth. Though her time with the Kardashian family was brief, her age and life experiences showed she had lived a whole life long before meeting Robert. Many fans who later learned about her admired how she carried herself with grace throughout the different chapters of her life.
What Did Jan Ashley Look Like?
Jan Ashley had classic beauty that matched the style of her time. She had soft blonde hair and a warm smile that showed her calm personality. During her pageant years, people admired her graceful presence more than anything else.
Even later in life, she carried the same elegance. Her appearance showed quiet confidence and kindness, traits that made her memorable to those who met her. Her beauty wasn’t about glamour, it came from her peaceful nature and the way she treated people.
Marriage to Robert Kardashian Sr.
Jan met Robert Kardashian in 1998, about a year after losing her first husband. Robert was already known for his legal work and his connection to O.J. Simpson. They met while Jan was selling her house, and their friendship quickly turned into romance. After several months of dating, they got married on November 25, 1998, in Vail, Colorado.
Their marriage began with happiness, but it soon faced problems. Both had gone through emotional times in their pasts, and Robert’s life was closely tied to his famous family. The pressure of fame and family stress made their relationship difficult. Within a few months, their marriage was annulled in 1999.
Court papers later revealed that Robert said he already had four children and did not want more. This difference in future plans may have been one reason for the split. Still, Jan always spoke respectfully about Robert and the time they shared.
Who Was Robert Kardashian Sr.?
Robert Kardashian Sr. was a respected lawyer and businessman. He became widely known in 1995 for his role as part of O.J. Simpson’s defense team during the famous murder trial. Outside the courtroom, he was best known as the father of Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian Jr.
Robert was known as a loyal friend and a devoted father. After his divorce from Kris Jenner in 1991, he focused on his children and tried to keep his personal life private. His short marriage to Jan Ashley came during a period when he was looking for peace and companionship. Sadly, he passed away in 2003 after battling cancer.
Challenges in the Kardashian World
Becoming part of the Kardashian family was not easy for Jan Ashley. The family was already well known, and Robert was often in the public eye. Jan, who valued privacy, found it hard to adjust to the sudden attention.
She later shared that her marriage faced pressure from outside influences, especially from Robert’s ex-wife and their children. The constant focus on money, fame, and family issues created stress that was hard to handle. Jan wasn’t used to that kind of lifestyle, and it made her feel like an outsider. These struggles eventually led to emotional distance between her and Robert, which ended their relationship.
Controversy Over Khloé Kardashian’s Paternity
Years after their annulment, Jan Ashley found herself back in the headlines. In 2012, she claimed that Robert once told her Khloé Kardashian might not be his biological daughter. The claim quickly spread through the media and caused public drama. The Kardashian family strongly denied it, and Khloé responded angrily, saying the rumor was disrespectful to her father’s memory.
Official court papers from Robert’s 1999 annulment case stated that he had four biological children. This document directly contradicted Jan’s claim and supported what the family had always said. Whether or not her words were misunderstood, this controversy kept her name linked to the Kardashians long after their marriage ended.
Life After the Kardashians
After separating from Robert, Jan chose to live a quiet, private life. She didn’t seek interviews or try to gain fame from her past. Instead, she focused on peace and personal happiness. She returned to Oklahoma and stayed away from Hollywood’s spotlight.
Jan’s decision to avoid fame showed her strength. While many people might have used such a famous connection for attention or money, she preferred privacy and dignity. Friends described her as gentle, kind, and content with a simple life.
Final Years and Passing
Jan Ashley passed away on October 1, 2015, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 67. Her death was not widely covered in the media, which matched how she lived quietly and respectfully. She was buried beside her first husband, John Ashley, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California.
Those who knew her remembered her as a loving, private woman who valued peace over fame. Her life showed that happiness doesn’t always come from public recognition, but from personal contentment and love.
Jan Ashley’s Net Worth
Jan Ashley never shared details about her finances, and no public record exists about her net worth. Unlike others connected to the Kardashian family, she didn’t try to gain fame or profit from her short marriage to Robert.
She lived comfortably but never displayed wealth or luxury. Her real value came from her independence and her ability to live life on her own terms. For Jan, happiness mattered more than money or fame.
Legacy and Lessons
Jan Ashley’s story may not be filled with fame and luxury, but it carries important lessons. She showed that it’s possible to be connected to fame and still choose privacy and peace. Her life was about grace, love, and self-respect.
From her early success as Miss Tulsa to her time with two well-known men, Jan always stayed true to herself. She never chased attention, even when the world tried to pull her into the spotlight. Her story reminds us that real strength sometimes means stepping back and living quietly.
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Conclusion
Jan Ashley’s life tells a story of beauty, love, and dignity. Her short marriage to Robert Kardashian Sr. made her part of a famous family, but she never let fame define her. She lived her own way, valuing peace over popularity.
Even though her name appears in the Kardashian story, Jan’s life stands on its own. She was a woman who valued kindness, privacy, and quiet strength. Her journey proves that not every story linked to fame is about attention, sometimes, it’s about grace, respect, and the choice to live peacefully.
FAQs About Jan Ashley
Who is Jan Ashley?
Jan Ashley was an American woman best known as the second wife of Robert Kardashian Sr., the father of Kim, Kourtney, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian.
When did Jan Ashley marry Robert Kardashian Sr.?
She married Robert Kardashian on November 25, 1998, in Vail, Colorado. Their marriage lasted only a few months before being annulled in 1999.
Where was Jan Ashley born?
Jan Ashley was born on August 3, 1948, in Amarillo, Texas, United States.
Was Jan Ashley married before Robert Kardashian?
Yes, before marrying Robert Kardashian, she was married to actor and film producer John Ashley from 1978 until his death in 1997.
Did Jan Ashley have any children?
No, Jan Ashley did not have any children from either of her marriages.
What was the controversy involving Jan Ashley and Khloé Kardashian?
In 2012, Jan claimed that Robert once told her Khloé might not be his biological daughter. The Kardashian family strongly denied this claim.
When did Jan Ashley die?
Jan Ashley passed away on October 1, 2015, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 67.
What was Jan Ashley’s life like after leaving the Kardashians?
After her annulment, Jan lived a quiet, private life away from media attention, focusing on peace and privacy until her passing in 2015.
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