Jan Ashley Biography: The Untold Story of Robert Kardashian’s Second Wife

Jan Ashley was a former beauty queen and is best known as the brief second wife of Robert Kardashian Sr., the famous attorney and businessman who gained worldwide recognition through his legal work and his family’s reality TV fame. Although her marriage to Kardashian lasted only a short time, Jan Ashley’s story remains notable because of her connection to one of America’s most talked-about families. Born in Texas and crowned Miss Tulsa in 1966, she lived a life largely away from the public eye except during her marriage to Kardashian. In this article, readers will learn about Jan Ashley’s early life, her marriage and its challenges, the controversies she was involved in, and her life after parting ways with Kardashian, offering a detailed and clear view of her personal journey.

Quick Facts

👤 Full Name: Janice Lynn Glass Ashley

🎂 Date of Birth: August 3, 1948

📍 Place of Birth: Amarillo, Potter County, Texas, USA

⚧ Gender: Female

🧬 Ethnicity: White

🕊 Religion: Christianity

💑 Marital Status: Divorced

💍 Ex-Husband: Robert Kardashian Sr.

📏 Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)

⚖ Weight: 121 lbs (55 kg)

👁 Eye Color: Grey

💇‍♀️ Hair Color: Blonde

🧭 Zodiac Sign: Leo

⚰ Date of Death: October 1, 2015

📍 Place of Death: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

👪 Parents: James Douglas (Father), Monnie M. Glass (Mother)

💔 Previous Spouse: John Ashley (First husband)

Early Life and Background

Jan Ashley was born on August 3, 1948, in Amarillo, Potter County, Texas, into a family headed by her parents, James Douglas and Monnie M. Glass. She grew up in Amarillo, where she spent her childhood surrounded by the close-knit community of Texas. From an early age, Jan showed interests that would later lead her to participate in beauty pageants, reflecting a confident and poised personality. Her upbringing in Texas shaped her values and laid the foundation for her future endeavors, including her entry into the world of pageantry and later life events.

How old is Jan Ashley?

Jan Ashley was born on August 3, 1948, in Amarillo, Texas, making her 76 years old as of 2025. She passed away on October 1, 2015, at the age of 67.

Jan Ashley’s Ethnicity, Nationality, And Physical Appearance

Jan Ashley was an American citizen born in Amarillo, Texas, on August 3, 1948. She was of Caucasian descent, reflecting the typical ethnic background of many Americans of European ancestry. Physically, she stood at 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall and maintained a slender build, weighing approximately 121 pounds (55 kg). Her natural blonde hair and grey eyes complemented her fair complexion, contributing to her beauty queen appearance. In 1966, she was crowned Miss Tulsa, marking a significant achievement in her early life. Despite her brief marriage to Robert Kardashian Sr., she largely remained out of the public eye, choosing a private life away from the media spotlight.

Jan Ashley’s Career and Achievements

Jan Ashley’s career highlights include her early success in beauty pageants, where she was crowned Miss Tulsa in 1966, showcasing her poise and charm at a young age. Beyond this achievement, there is limited public information about other professional pursuits she may have had before her marriage to Robert Kardashian Sr., as she largely maintained a private life. Before meeting Kardashian, Jan’s public presence was modest, and she was not widely known outside of her pageant accomplishment and personal circles. Her reputation was mostly built on her grace and beauty rather than any high-profile career, setting the stage for her later brief but notable connection to the Kardashian family.

Jan Ashley’s Personal Life Before Robert Kardashian

Before marrying Robert Kardashian Sr., Jan Ashley was married to John Ashley, a well-known American actor and film producer famous for his work on projects like The A-Team and Apocalypse Now. They were married in 1978 and shared nearly two decades together until John’s death in 1997. During their marriage, Jan lived a relatively private life away from the spotlight, supporting John’s career while managing their personal life. After his passing, she became a widow and spent some time reflecting and adjusting to life without him, which influenced her choices and mindset before she later met and married Robert Kardashian.

Meeting Robert Kardashian Sr.

Jan Ashley met Robert Kardashian Sr. in early 1998 when she was selling her house, and he came to see the property. Their connection began after Robert noticed her photo during the visit, leading him to arrange an introduction through one of her husband’s actor friends. They dated for about seven months before Robert proposed to her while they were in Hawaii. The couple then married on November 25, 1998, in a ceremony held in Vail, Colorado. Their relationship moved quickly from meeting to engagement and marriage within the same year, marking the start of a very brief but public chapter in both their lives.

Who is Robert Kardashian Sr.?

Robert Kardashian Sr. was a well-known American attorney and businessman, famous for his role as O.J. Simpson’s defense lawyer during the highly publicized 1995 murder trial. Born in 1944, he came from an Armenian-American family and built a successful career in law and business. Beyond his legal work, Robert Kardashian gained widespread recognition as the father of the Kardashian siblings, who later became reality TV stars and entrepreneurs. Throughout his life, he was known for his close friendships, business ventures, and complex family relationships until his death from esophageal cancer in 2003.

The Marriage to Robert Kardashian

Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian Sr. were married on November 25, 1998, in Vail, Colorado, followed by a honeymoon that included Robert’s four children, marking an intense start to their family life together. Their marriage attracted significant public and media attention because of Robert’s fame and his connection to the Kardashian family, putting pressure on the relationship from the start. The marriage faced many challenges, including tensions between Jan and Robert’s children, as well as ongoing conflicts involving his ex-wife, Kris Jenner.

These difficulties contributed to the couple’s decision to annul the marriage after just 30 days. Jan later shared that the constant turmoil and Kardashian’s struggles with his family’s demands were major reasons for the quick end to their union.

Controversy and Public Statements

Jan Ashley made headlines when she revealed that Robert Kardashian Sr. had expressed doubts about the paternity of Khloé Kardashian, one of his children with Kris Jenner. According to Jan, Robert told her that Khloé was not his biological daughter, a claim that stirred controversy and drew significant public attention. The Kardashian family strongly denied these statements, leading to a public dispute that added tension to an already complex family history.

Khloé Kardashian herself responded angrily to the accusations, calling them disrespectful and hurtful in a now-deleted social media post. This controversy became a notable part of the Kardashian family saga, highlighting the personal struggles behind their public image.

Life After Divorce

After her brief and tumultuous marriage to Robert Kardashian, Jan Ashley chose to step away from the public eye and live a life of privacy. Unlike other members connected to the Kardashian family, she avoided seeking fame or public attention following their separation. Details about her later years remain scarce, reflecting her strong desire to maintain a low profile and avoid media scrutiny. This choice helped her live quietly and away from the intense spotlight that surrounded the Kardashian family.

Death and Legacy

Jan Ashley passed away on October 1, 2015, at the age of 67 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was laid to rest beside her first husband, John Ashley, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California. Though her time in the public eye was brief, Jan is remembered as a part of the Kardashian family’s complicated history. Her story stands out as a reminder of the private struggles that can exist behind celebrity lives. In the broader Kardashian narrative, she occupies a unique place as someone who experienced both fame and the desire for privacy.

Jan Ashley’s Relationship with the Kardashian Family

During her marriage to Robert Kardashian, Jan Ashley had to navigate complex relationships with his children and ex-wife, Kris Jenner. Reports suggest that tensions between Jan and Kris Jenner, as well as challenges in bonding with Kardashian’s children, created significant stress within the marriage. These family dynamics contributed to the difficulties that led to the marriage’s swift end. Jan’s experience illustrates how complicated blending families can be, especially under the intense scrutiny of fame.

Conclusion

Jan Ashley’s life was marked by moments of beauty, fame, controversy, and privacy. Though her marriage to Robert Kardashian Sr. was short-lived, it placed her briefly in the spotlight connected to one of America’s most famous families. Her story reminds us that behind public personas, there are personal struggles and complex relationships that often go unseen. Jan Ashley’s journey serves as a reflection on how fleeting fame can be and the importance of privacy in the face of public scrutiny.

(FAQs)

1. Who was Jan Ashley?

Jan Ashley was a former beauty queen known for being the second wife of Robert Kardashian Sr., the famous lawyer and businessman. She gained public attention mainly through her brief marriage to Kardashian and her later comments about the Kardashian family. Outside of this, she lived a mostly private life.

2. When and where was Jan Ashley born?

Jan Ashley was born on August 3, 1948, in Amarillo, Potter County, Texas, United States. She grew up in Texas before moving on to different phases of her life, including her beauty pageant career and marriages.

3. What is Jan Ashley’s connection to Robert Kardashian Sr.?

Jan Ashley married Robert Kardashian Sr. in 1998, becoming his second wife. Their marriage lasted only about 30 days before it was annulled, but the relationship drew significant media attention because of Kardashian’s fame and family prominence.

4. Did Jan Ashley have any children?

No, Jan Ashley did not have children with Robert Kardashian or from her previous marriage. Although legal documents mentioned plans for children with Kardashian, Jan later denied any intention to have kids with him.

5. Why did Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian’s marriage end so quickly?

Their marriage was annulled after only one month due to multiple challenges, including tension with Kardashian’s children and his ex-wife, Kris Jenner. Jan Ashley cited constant turmoil and Kardashian’s struggles with family pressures as key reasons for their separation.

6. What controversy was Jan Ashley related to Khloé Kardashian?

Jan Ashley publicly claimed that Robert Kardashian expressed doubts about Khloé Kardashian being his biological daughter. This caused a public dispute and was strongly denied by the Kardashian family, sparking media attention and debate.

7. When did Jan Ashley pass away, and what was her legacy?

Jan Ashley died on October 1, 2015, at the age of 67 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is remembered for her brief but notable connection to the Kardashian family and as a figure who chose privacy over publicity after her marriage ended.

8. Who was Jan Ashley’s first husband?

Before marrying Robert Kardashian, Jan Ashley was married to John Ashley, an American actor and film producer known for works like The A-Team and Apocalypse Now. They were married from 1978 until his death in 1997.