Who Was Jan Ashley? The Story of Robert Kardashian’s Mysterious Ex-Wife

When we hear about the Kardashian family, we often think of Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, and their famous mother, Kris Jenner. But not many people know about Jan Ashley, the woman who became Robert Kardashian’s second wife for a very short time. Jan’s story is interesting because she lived most of her life quietly, but for a little while, she was part of one of the most famous families in the world.

In today’s article, we’ll take a friendly and simple look at who Jan Ashley was, her life before and after meeting Robert Kardashian, and how she became linked to a family that’s always in the news. Let’s explore her story together, step by step.

Jan Ashley Quick Bio

Jan Ashley’s Early Life and Family

Jan Ashley, whose full name was Janice Lynn Glass Ashley, was born on 3 August 1948 in Amarillo, Texas. She grew up in this peaceful town with her family. Her parents were James Douglas Glass and Monnie M. Glass. Jan had what many would call a simple and loving start to life.

There isn’t a lot of public information about Jan’s childhood because she lived away from the spotlight in those early years. But it’s easy to imagine her as a bright, happy girl enjoying the wide-open spaces of Texas. Her small-town roots stayed with her, even when her life later touched the world of fame and fortune.

Jan’s family raised her with values that focused on kindness and staying humble. These qualities showed in the way she handled both attention and challenges later in her life.

How Jan Ashley Became Miss Tulsa

Jan wasn’t always linked to famous names. In 1966, she made a name for herself by winning the Miss Tulsa crown. Can you picture a young Jan with a big smile, proudly wearing her sash? This title brought her some early attention and showed that she had charm, grace, and beauty.

Being Miss Tulsa was a big deal in her community. It opened doors for Jan, helping her meet new people and build confidence. But unlike many who might chase fame, Jan stayed grounded. She didn’t use the title to push for a career in the public eye. Instead, she chose a more private path, enjoying life without much media attention, at least at that time.

Her beauty queen days were one of the first times Jan stepped into the spotlight, but this wouldn’t be the last.

Jan Ashley’s First Marriage to John Ashley

Years after her pageant win, Jan met a man named John Ashley. John was well-known as an actor and film producer. You may have heard of his work on shows like The A-Team and films like Apocalypse Now. Jan and John met in 1978, and they soon married.

Their marriage was a happy one. The couple lived together for many years, and Jan supported John’s career in the entertainment industry. They moved to California, where John worked on films and TV shows. Even though John was in the movie world, Jan stayed out of the limelight. She seemed happy focusing on home life, enjoying her marriage and privacy.

Sadly, after nearly two decades together, tragedy struck. In October 1997, John passed away from a heart attack while he was in New York City. Jan was heartbroken. Losing a partner after so many years is never easy, and this event marked a difficult time in her life.

How Jan Ashley Met Robert Kardashian

Not long after John’s passing, Jan’s life took a new turn. In early 1998, she met Robert Kardashian, the famous lawyer who had been part of O.J. Simpson’s defense team. Their meeting was almost like something out of a movie.

Jan was selling her house, and Robert came by to view it. When he saw her photo, he was curious and wanted to meet her. He even contacted one of John Ashley’s friends to help set up an introduction. This shows that Robert was truly interested from the start.

They began dating, and for about seven months, they enjoyed getting to know each other. They went on trips, spent time together, and seemed happy. Robert was charmed by Jan’s warmth and kindness. Jan, after so much loss, may have felt hope for a new beginning.

Jan and Robert’s Short Marriage

After several months of dating, Robert proposed to Jan in Hawaii. She said yes, and the couple married on 25 November 1998 in Vail, Colorado. It was a private and special moment. What’s even more interesting is that Robert’s four children — Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Jr. — joined them for the wedding day and honeymoon.

At first, it seemed like the start of a happy chapter. They went on a ski trip with the children, hoping to blend their families and make things work. But sadly, things didn’t go as planned.

Just 30 days later, their marriage came to an end. The union was annulled on 25 December 1998. At first, neither Jan nor Robert shared much about why it ended so quickly. It left many people wondering what really happened between them.

The Reasons Behind the Divorce

Many people were surprised when Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian ended their marriage so quickly. At first, they didn’t say much about it. But years later, Jan spoke openly about what went wrong.

Jan shared that the main reason was the stress Robert felt from his past. She said Robert’s first wife, Kris Jenner, and his children were often a source of tension. According to Jan, Robert felt pressure because his kids and Kris kept asking him for money. This made him unhappy, and it became too much for him to handle.

Can you imagine trying to start a fresh new marriage while dealing with that kind of stress? Jan said Robert was always upset, not at her, but at the situation around him. It made their new life together very hard. In the end, they decided to part ways before things got worse.

Jan’s Shocking Claims About Khloé Kardashian

Even after the marriage ended, Jan Ashley’s name stayed linked to the Kardashian family. In 2012, she made a claim that grabbed headlines everywhere. Jan said that Robert once told her that Khloé Kardashian was not his biological daughter.

Jan explained that Robert mentioned this to her during their short marriage. He said it like it was just a fact, not a secret. Jan also pointed out that Khloé looked very different from her siblings. She mentioned Khloé’s lighter hair, taller height, and different features.

This claim caused a lot of drama. Khloé was very hurt by Jan’s words. She even wrote an angry post on social media, calling Jan’s comments “disgusting.” The claim added more mystery to Jan’s already unusual connection to the Kardashian family.

Jan Ashley’s Life After Robert Kardashian

After all the attention from her marriage and the claims she made, Jan chose to live a quiet life. She stayed out of the public eye as much as she could. Unlike the Kardashians, Jan did not enjoy the spotlight. She preferred privacy and peace.

Jan lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during her later years. There are very few photos of her after her marriage to Robert. She did not try to stay in the news or seek fame. It seemed that all Jan wanted was a simple life, far away from the noise of media and gossip.

When and How Jan Passed Away

Jan Ashley passed away on 1 October 2015. She was 67 years old at the time. She died in Tulsa, where she had spent her later years. Her passing was peaceful, and there wasn’t much media attention around it.

Jan was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California. This was the same place where her first husband, John Ashley, was buried. It’s touching to think that she was buried next to the man she had shared so many years with.

Final Thoughts

Even today, in 2025, people still remember Jan Ashley. She is often seen as the mysterious woman who was briefly part of the Kardashian story. Her short marriage to Robert Kardashian and the claims she made later keep her name in the spotlight from time to time.

What makes Jan’s story so interesting is that she lived such a private life, yet became linked to one of the world’s most famous families. She didn’t try to stay famous or make headlines. But because of her short time with Robert Kardashian and the things she shared, people are still curious about who she really was.

Jan Ashley’s life shows us that even quiet people can have stories that connect to bigger ones. Her name will always be part of Kardashian history, even though she stayed far from the fame that came with it.

(FAQs)

Was Jan Ashley really married to Robert Kardashian?

Yes! Jan Ashley was Robert Kardashian’s second wife. Their marriage lasted only 30 days before it was annulled — one of the shortest marriages in Kardashian family history.

Did Jan Ashley have any kids?

No, Jan Ashley had no children from either of her marriages. She even said she never planned to have kids with Robert Kardashian, despite rumours.

When did Jan Ashley die, and what happened?

Jan Ashley died on 1 October 2015 at age 67. She passed away quietly in Tulsa. The exact cause of death was never made public, adding mystery to her story.

What was Jan Ashley’s net worth?

Jan Ashley’s net worth was never revealed. Even after marrying famous men, she lived privately and didn’t build public wealth like the Kardashians.

Is there an obituary for Jan Ashley?

Yes. Jan Ashley’s obituary shared that she was buried next to her first husband, John Ashley, in Los Angeles. But beyond that, very little was written — her passing stayed as private as her life.