Jan Ashley was an American former beauty pageant winner who became known for her brief marriage to Robert Kardashian Sr., the attorney and father of Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian. Before marrying Kardashian in 1998, she had spent nearly two decades married to Hollywood actor and television producer John Ashley. Her second marriage ended in annulment, but her connection to the Kardashian family resurfaced in 2012 when she made controversial claims about Khloé Kardashian’s parentage. Beyond those headlines, Ashley had a life that included a childhood in Oklahoma, a career in the petroleum industry, and years spent in California.
Who Was Jan Ashley?
Jan Ashley, born Janice Lynn Glass in August 1948, was an American beauty pageant titleholder and executive secretary. She was born in Amarillo, Texas, and grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she won the Miss Tulsa title in 1966.
She married actor and producer John Ashley in 1978. Following his death in 1997, she met and married Robert Kardashian Sr. in November 1998. Their marriage was short-lived and was annulled in 1999.
Ashley died on October 1, 2015, at the age of 67.
Jan Ashley Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Janice Lynn Glass Ashley |
| Known as | Jan Ashley |
| Born | August 1948 |
| Birthplace | Amarillo, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Raised in | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Education | Will Rogers High School |
| Pageant title | Miss Tulsa, 1966 |
| Occupation | Executive secretary |
| First husband | John Ashley (married 1978; died 1997) |
| Second husband | Robert Kardashian Sr. (married 1998; annulled 1999) |
| Date of death | October 1, 2015 |
| Age at death | 67 |
| Burial place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, California |
Early Life and Education
Janice Lynn Glass was born in Amarillo, Texas, to James Douglas Glass and Monnie M. Glass. When she was seven years old, her family relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
She attended Will Rogers High School in Tulsa and became involved in beauty pageants during her teenage years. In 1966, she won the Miss Tulsa title, an achievement that allowed her to participate in the Miss Oklahoma competition.
Ashley subsequently worked as an executive secretary to Kenneth Stanley “Boots” Adams, a prominent executive associated with Phillips Petroleum. Her early professional life was based in Oklahoma, years before her marriages connected her to the entertainment industry.
Jan Ashley’s First Marriage to John Ashley
Before becoming Robert Kardashian’s second wife, Jan was married to John Ashley, an American actor and television producer.
John had established an entertainment career during the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in films such as Beach Party and Beach Blanket Bingo. He later moved into film and television production and became associated with successful programs, including The A-Team.
Jan and John married in 1978 and moved to California, where he continued his entertainment career.
Their marriage lasted approximately 19 years. John died in New York City on October 3, 1997, while working on a film production.
Jan was widowed before she met Robert Kardashian, beginning a new chapter of her life the following year.
Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian’s Marriage
Robert Kardashian Sr. was already a recognizable figure in American legal and entertainment news when he married Jan Ashley.
He had gained national attention through his friendship with O.J. Simpson and his involvement in Simpson’s legal defense during the 1995 murder trial. Robert had previously been married to Kris Jenner, with whom he had four children.
Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian married on November 25, 1998. However, their relationship deteriorated soon afterward, and Robert sought to have the marriage annulled.
Why Did Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian Separate?
In a sworn declaration dated May 13, 1999, Robert Kardashian explained that he and Ashley had agreed before their wedding to have a child together.
He stated that approximately two months after their marriage, he changed his mind because he already had four biological children and did not want any more.
Ashley later offered a different explanation. She attributed the breakdown of their relationship to tensions involving Robert’s previous marriage and family circumstances.
The marriage was ultimately annulled in 1999. Although it is frequently described as a 30-day marriage, that description should not be confused with the date of the completed annulment.
Jan Ashley and the Khloé Kardashian Controversy
In January 2012, Jan Ashley made headlines after claiming in an interview with Star magazine that Robert Kardashian had privately told her Khloé Kardashian was not his biological daughter.
Ellen Kardashian, Robert’s third wife, also questioned Khloé’s paternity in the same period.
The allegations prompted an immediate response from the Kardashian family. Kris Jenner publicly rejected the claims during an appearance on Good Morning America, while Khloé criticized the comments about her late father.
Robert Kardashian’s own 1999 sworn declaration contradicted the allegation. In that document, he expressly described himself as having four biological children.
Ashley’s allegation was disputed and has not been established as fact. Robert Kardashian remained publicly recognized as Khloé’s father.
Jan Ashley’s Later Years and Death
Following her separation from Robert Kardashian, Ashley largely remained outside the entertainment spotlight. She continued living in California before eventually returning to Oklahoma in 2012.
Her family obituary describes her as a loving sister and aunt. She maintained connections with her brother, Jerry D. Glass, and his family.
Jan Ashley died on October 1, 2015, at the age of 67. Her family arranged a private memorial service, and she was laid to rest beside her first husband, John Ashley, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California.
Her obituary does not specify a cause of death.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jan Ashley
1. Who was Jan Ashley?
Jan Ashley was an American former beauty pageant titleholder and executive secretary. She was also the second wife of attorney Robert Kardashian Sr. and the widow of actor and television producer John Ashley.
2. How long were Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian married?
They married on November 25, 1998, but their relationship ended shortly afterward. Their marriage was annulled in 1999.
3. Did Jan Ashley have any children?
Robert Kardashian’s 1999 sworn declaration stated that Ashley had no children when they married. No children of her own are identified in her family obituary.
4. What did Jan Ashley say about Khloé Kardashian?
In 2012, Ashley alleged that Robert Kardashian had told her Khloé was not his biological daughter. Kris Jenner and Khloé rejected the allegation, which also conflicted with Robert’s 1999 declaration describing his four children as biological.
5. When did Jan Ashley die?
Jan Ashley died on October 1, 2015, at age 67. She was buried beside her first husband, John Ashley, in California.
6. What was Jan Ashley’s net worth?
There is no reliably established figure for Jan Ashley’s personal net worth. Her employment and marriages are documented, but her personal finances were not publicly disclosed.
Conclusion
Jan Ashley’s life extended well beyond her brief marriage to Robert Kardashian. She grew up in Oklahoma, became Miss Tulsa in 1966, worked in the petroleum industry, and spent nearly two decades married to Hollywood producer John Ashley. Her subsequent marriage to Kardashian and her later comments about his family brought her into entertainment headlines. She returned to Oklahoma in her later years and died in 2015, leaving a personal history that encompassed far more than her association with the Kardashian family.
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