Jan Ashley, born Janice Lynn Glass, was an American former beauty pageant titleholder and executive secretary best known as the second wife of attorney and businessman Robert Kardashian Sr.. Born in August 1948 in Amarillo, Texas, Jan grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she became Miss Tulsa in 1966. Long before her connection to the Kardashian family, she worked at Phillips Petroleum and married Hollywood actor and producer John Ashley in 1978. Following John’s death in 1997, Jan married Robert Kardashian on November 25, 1998. However, the marriage broke down quickly and was eventually annulled. Years later, she attracted renewed media attention through disputed comments about the Kardashian family. Jan died on October 1, 2015, at age 67. Her life story includes pageantry, professional work, Hollywood connections, two marriages, and personal experiences that extend beyond her famous former husband.
Jan Ashley Quick Bio
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Janice Lynn Glass Ashley |
| Popular Name | Jan Ashley |
| Birth Month and Year | August 1948 |
| Birthplace | Amarillo, Texas, United States |
| Date of Death | October 1, 2015 |
| Age at Death | 67 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Father | James Douglas Glass |
| Mother | Monnie M. Glass |
| Brother | Jerry D. Glass |
| Education | Will Rogers High School |
| Famous Achievement | Miss Tulsa 1966 |
| Profession | Former executive secretary |
| Former Employer | Phillips Petroleum |
| First Husband | John Ashley |
| First Marriage | 1978–1997 |
| Second Husband | Robert Kardashian Sr. |
| Second Marriage | November 25, 1998 |
| Marriage Outcome | Annulled in 1999 |
| Children | No publicly documented children |
| Later Residence | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Burial | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, California |
| Net Worth | Not independently verified |
| Known For | Marriage to Robert Kardashian Sr. |
Who Was Jan Ashley?
Jan Ashley was an American woman whose life became connected to both Hollywood entertainment and the Kardashian family.
Many people recognize her because of her brief marriage to Robert Kardashian Sr.
However, she had an established life before meeting him.
As a young woman, Jan participated in beauty pageants and represented Tulsa in the Miss Oklahoma competition.
She later worked as an executive secretary for a major petroleum company.
Her first husband, John Ashley, was an actor and film producer who worked on numerous entertainment projects.
After his death, Jan entered another marriage that unexpectedly brought her into a widely discussed celebrity family.
Although her second marriage was brief, it remained a topic of media coverage long after the relationship ended.
Jan Ashley’s Early Life and Childhood
Janice Lynn Glass was born in Amarillo, Texas, in August 1948.
Her family later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
According to her obituary, Jan was approximately seven years old when the family relocated.
Growing Up in Tulsa
Tulsa became an important part of Jan’s identity.
The city was known for its connection to the petroleum industry and business development.
Jan attended school there and participated in local activities.
She later represented the city in a beauty pageant.
Although detailed childhood interviews are unavailable, her family obituary provides a useful record of her early years.
Jan Ashley’s Exact Birthday
Her funeral-home record contains a small inconsistency.
The main record identifies August 3, 1948, as her birth date.
However, the obituary narrative states August 1, 1948.
Both records agree that she was born in August 1948.
Therefore, the month and year are more firmly established than the exact day.
Jan Ashley’s Parents and Family Background
Jan’s parents were James Douglas Glass and Monnie M. Glass.
Her obituary identifies both by name.
She also had a brother named Jerry D. Glass.
Her Family in Oklahoma
Jan spent important years growing up in Tulsa.
Her family’s move from Texas to Oklahoma introduced her to the community where she later attended high school.
Although her parents’ professions are not extensively documented, her obituary confirms her close connection to family members.
Jan Ashley’s Brother
Her brother, Jerry D. Glass, survived her.
The obituary also named his wife, Diana, and their sons Jeremy, Joshua, and Jonathan.
Jan was remembered by her family as a loving sister and aunt.
These details offer a more personal understanding of her life than celebrity reporting alone.
Jan Ashley’s Education
Jan attended Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Her educational background is documented in her family obituary.
Will Rogers High School
Will Rogers High School has a longstanding history in Tulsa.
It became known for its distinctive architecture and community connections.
Jan completed her secondary education there before pursuing other opportunities.
Did Jan Ashley Attend College?
There is no reliable public record confirming that Jan attended a particular college or university.
Some online biographies describe additional educational experiences.
However, these claims generally lack supporting school records.
Her confirmed educational background is her attendance at Will Rogers High School.
Jan Ashley Was Miss Tulsa in 1966
One of Jan’s earliest notable achievements came through beauty pageants.
She became Miss Tulsa in 1966.
Her family obituary confirms the title, and historical pageant records also associate her with the competition.
Participating in Beauty Pageants
Beauty pageants during the 1960s often involved public speaking, personal presentation, and talent performances.
Winning a local title could lead to participation in larger competitions.
Jan’s achievement brought her recognition within Tulsa.
It also reflected a period of her life before her later connections to Hollywood.
Did Jan Ashley Win Miss Oklahoma?
Jan held the Miss Tulsa title.
However, there is no reliable evidence establishing that she won the statewide Miss Oklahoma crown.
Some online biographies confuse participation in the state competition with winning the overall title.
The properly documented achievement is Miss Tulsa 1966.
Jan Ashley’s Professional Career
Jan worked as an executive secretary.
Her obituary identifies her employer as Phillips Petroleum.
She served as executive secretary to Kenneth Stanley “Boots” Adams, an important figure in the company’s history.
Working at Phillips Petroleum
Phillips Petroleum was a major American oil company headquartered in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
It operated in the energy industry for decades before later corporate changes.
The company was influential in Oklahoma’s economy.
Working in an executive office at such an organization required professional responsibilities and organizational skills.
What Did an Executive Secretary Do?
Executive secretaries support senior business leaders through administrative and organizational work.
Their duties may involve managing correspondence, scheduling meetings, coordinating documents, and handling confidential information.
Jan’s position connected her to a prominent figure in the American petroleum industry.
However, detailed records of her exact daily responsibilities are unavailable.
A Career Before Celebrity Attention
Jan’s professional background is important because her biography is often reduced to her marriages.
She had already worked in a significant American corporation long before becoming associated with Robert Kardashian.
Her experience represents an independent part of her life.
Who Was Jan Ashley’s First Husband?
Jan’s first husband was John Ashley, an American actor and producer.
The couple married in 1978.
Their marriage continued until John’s death in 1997.
Who Was John Ashley?
John Ashley was born on December 25, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri.
He developed a career in film and television during the 1950s and 1960s.
He became recognizable through youth-oriented films, Westerns, and other entertainment productions.
His acting credits included several American International Pictures releases.
John Ashley’s Acting Career
John appeared in films such as Dragstrip Girl, Motorcycle Gang, and Beach Party.
He also worked in television.
His career eventually expanded into producing.
That transition introduced him to projects outside the traditional acting roles for which he had initially become known.
John Ashley as a Producer
John became involved in film and television production.
His professional activities included work in the Philippines, where he participated in developing low-budget action and horror films.
He later became associated with television productions such as The A-Team.
His work gave him connections throughout the entertainment industry.
Jan’s marriage to John consequently introduced her to a professional Hollywood environment.
Jan Ashley and John Ashley’s Marriage
Jan and John married in 1978.
Their marriage lasted approximately 19 years.
After marrying, Jan moved to California, where John continued his entertainment career.
Life in California
California became an important part of Jan’s adult life.
John’s acting and producing responsibilities often involved film and television projects.
However, Jan did not pursue a widely documented professional acting career herself.
Their private relationship received relatively little attention compared with the later Kardashian coverage.
John Ashley’s Death in 1997
John died on October 3, 1997, while working in New York City.
He was 62 years old.
His death ended nearly two decades of marriage.
Jan’s obituary later remembered him as her loving husband.
She eventually arranged to be buried beside him in California.
How Did Jan Ashley Meet Robert Kardashian?
After John’s death, Jan became acquainted with Robert Kardashian Sr.
Published accounts place their introduction in 1998.
At that time, Robert was already widely recognized because of his friendship with O.J. Simpson and his role in the high-profile murder trial.
Their Relationship in 1998
Jan and Robert developed a relationship following their introduction.
Both had previous marriages.
Robert was divorced from Kris Jenner, with whom he had four children.
Jan had experienced the loss of her first husband.
The couple eventually decided to marry.
However, their relationship became complicated soon afterward.
Who Was Robert Kardashian Sr.?
Robert George Kardashian was born on February 22, 1944, in Los Angeles, California.
He was an American attorney and businessman.
He became widely recognized during the 1995 criminal trial of O.J. Simpson.
Robert Kardashian’s Education
Robert attended the University of Southern California.
He later earned a law degree from the University of San Diego.
He worked as a lawyer before expanding into business ventures.
His professional activities included involvement in music-related business and other entrepreneurial projects.
The O.J. Simpson Trial
Robert was a longtime friend of former football player O.J. Simpson.
After Simpson was accused of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in 1994, Robert became involved with his legal defense team.
The trial attracted enormous media attention.
Robert’s courtroom appearances made him nationally recognizable.
His connection to the case remained a major part of his public biography.
Robert Kardashian’s First Marriage to Kris Jenner
Before marrying Jan, Robert was married to Kris Jenner.
They married in 1978.
Their marriage ended in divorce in 1991.
The couple had four children together.
The Kardashian Children
Robert and Kris were the parents of Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian.
Their children later became internationally famous through entertainment and business activities.
Jan married Robert before Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered in 2007.
Therefore, her relationship with the family developed before its later reality-television success.
Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian’s Wedding
Jan married Robert Kardashian on November 25, 1998.
The wedding date appears in Robert’s own sworn court declaration from 1999.
A Brief Marriage
The marriage broke down relatively quickly.
Several entertainment publications describe the couple as having been together as spouses for approximately one month.
However, the legal annulment proceedings continued into 1999.
Therefore, describing the entire legal marriage as lasting exactly 30 days can be misleading.
Their Plans for Children
Before marrying, Jan and Robert reportedly discussed having a child.
Robert’s May 1999 declaration stated that the couple had agreed to try to have a child together.
He explained that Jan had no children and that he already had four.
This agreement later became central to the legal proceedings.
Why Did Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian Separate?
The reasons for their separation have been described differently by the former spouses.
Robert Kardashian’s Explanation
In a declaration signed on May 13, 1999, Robert stated that he had changed his mind about having another child.
He explained that he already had four biological children.
According to the declaration, both parties originally entered the marriage expecting to have a child together.
Robert stated that he was the person who changed his mind.
Jan Ashley’s Explanation
Jan later gave a different account of the relationship.
In interviews, she described tension surrounding Robert’s existing family relationships.
She suggested that the circumstances involving his former wife and children placed pressure on their marriage.
However, these comments represent Jan’s perspective.
The different explanations should not be combined into one supposedly settled reason.
The Annulment
Robert sought a legal nullity of the marriage.
The annulment was completed in 1999.
The couple did not have children together.
Their relationship subsequently became an unusual chapter in Kardashian family history.
Jan Ashley and the Khloé Kardashian Controversy
Years after the annulment, Jan returned to public attention through comments about Khloé Kardashian.
In 2012, she claimed that Robert had privately expressed doubts about Khloé’s biological parentage.
What Did Jan Ashley Claim?
Jan said that Robert had questioned whether Khloé was his biological daughter.
Her comments attracted national entertainment coverage.
They also appeared during a period when the Kardashian family was frequently discussed in celebrity media.
However, her statements were allegations, not established genetic or legal facts.
How Did the Kardashians Respond?
Members of the Kardashian family rejected the allegation.
Kris Jenner publicly criticized the suggestion.
Other family members also defended Khloé.
Importantly, Robert’s own 1999 sworn declaration described him as having four biological children.
That contemporary statement conflicts with the allegation Jan later attributed to him.
What Is Actually Confirmed?
There is no reliable evidence establishing Jan’s allegation as fact.
Speculation about a person’s parentage should not be presented as proven information.
The documented story is that Jan made a claim and the Kardashian family disputed it.
The controversy should remain separate from verified facts about Jan’s marriage and career.
Did Jan Ashley Have Children?
Robert’s 1999 declaration stated that Jan had no children when they married.
Her 2015 obituary did not identify any children.
Instead, it named her brother and nephews among surviving relatives.
Was Jan a Mother?
No reliable public record establishes that Jan had biological or adopted children.
The available evidence indicates that she did not have children when she married Robert.
There is also no documented record confirming that she later became a parent.
Her family relationships included her brother and nephews, who were remembered in her obituary.
Jan Ashley’s Life After Robert Kardashian
Following the annulment, Jan generally remained outside major entertainment reporting.
Her name occasionally appeared in discussions of Robert Kardashian’s relationships.
However, she did not become a regular reality-television personality.
Living Away From the Spotlight
Jan’s public life after 1999 was relatively quiet.
She occasionally spoke to media outlets about her marriage.
Outside those appearances, most personal details remained private.
Her professional activities during this later period are not extensively documented.
Jan Ashley’s Return to Oklahoma
Jan eventually returned to Tulsa.
Her obituary states that she moved back to Oklahoma in 2012.
The decision reconnected her with the place where she grew up and completed her education.
Reconnecting With Family
Tulsa was home to important parts of Jan’s family history.
Her brother and extended family remained significant in her life.
The obituary remembered her affectionately as a sister and aunt.
Rather than describing her final years entirely through celebrity controversy, these family details provide a more personal account.
When Did Jan Ashley Die?
Jan Ashley died on October 1, 2015.
Her death was documented by Floral Haven Funeral Home in Oklahoma.
She was 67 years old.
Where Did Jan Ashley Die?
Published records associate her death with the Tulsa area.
She had returned to Oklahoma several years earlier.
The obituary confirmed her death but did not provide a detailed explanation of her final medical circumstances.
What Was Jan Ashley’s Cause of Death?
Her precise cause of death was not publicly disclosed in the family obituary.
Some websites offer speculative medical explanations.
However, these claims lack reliable documentation.
Therefore, the accurate answer is that her cause of death has not been independently confirmed.
Jan Ashley’s Funeral and Burial
Jan’s family arranged a private service.
Her obituary stated that she would be interred beside John Ashley at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California.
Why Was She Buried Beside John Ashley?
John had been Jan’s husband for nearly 19 years.
Their marriage ended with his death in 1997.
Despite Jan’s later marriage to Robert Kardashian, her family planned for her burial beside John.
The obituary’s description of John as her loving husband reflected the importance of that relationship.
How Old Was Jan Ashley When She Died?
Jan was born in August 1948.
She died in October 2015.
Therefore, she was 67 years old.
If she had been alive in October 2026, she would have been 78.
However, it is important that current biographies identify her as deceased rather than discussing her as a living celebrity spouse.
Jan Ashley’s Net Worth
Jan’s individual net worth was never publicly verified.
Her known employment included a position at Phillips Petroleum.
She was also married to two men associated with entertainment and business.
However, these connections do not establish the amount of wealth she personally owned.
Some celebrity websites publish specific net worth estimates.
These figures lack dependable financial records.
There is no reliable basis for assigning Jan a particular financial fortune at the time of her death.
Did Jan Ashley Appear on Keeping Up with the Kardashians?
Jan was not a regular cast member of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
The series premiered in October 2007.
Robert Kardashian died in September 2003.
His marriage to Jan had ended years earlier.
Although Jan’s name appeared in media discussions about the family, she was not a central participant in its reality-television career.
Interesting Facts About Jan Ashley
- Her full name was Janice Lynn Glass Ashley. She was born in Amarillo, Texas.
- She grew up in Tulsa. Her family moved to Oklahoma when she was seven.
- She attended Will Rogers High School. Her obituary confirms her education.
- She was Miss Tulsa in 1966. The title was one of her earliest achievements.
- She worked at Phillips Petroleum. She served as an executive secretary.
- Her first husband was John Ashley. He worked as an actor and film producer.
- She married John in 1978. They remained married until his death in 1997.
- She married Robert Kardashian in 1998. Their wedding took place on November 25.
- The marriage was annulled in 1999. The relationship broke down within a short period.
- She made disputed comments about Khloé Kardashian. The family rejected those allegations.
- She returned to Tulsa in 2012. She spent her later years in Oklahoma.
- She died in 2015. She was 67 years old.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jan Ashley
1. Who was Jan Ashley?
Jan Ashley was an American former Miss Tulsa and executive secretary best known as Robert Kardashian Sr.’s second wife.
2. What was Jan Ashley’s real name?
Her birth name was Janice Lynn Glass.
3. When was Jan Ashley born?
She was born in August 1948. Her funeral-home records differ on the exact day.
4. Where was Jan Ashley born?
She was born in Amarillo, Texas.
5. Where did Jan Ashley grow up?
She grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
6. Who were Jan Ashley’s parents?
Her parents were James Douglas Glass and Monnie M. Glass.
7. Did Jan Ashley win a beauty pageant?
Yes. She became Miss Tulsa in 1966.
8. What did Jan Ashley do for a living?
She worked as an executive secretary at Phillips Petroleum.
9. Who was Jan Ashley’s first husband?
Her first husband was actor and producer John Ashley.
10. When did John Ashley die?
John Ashley died on October 3, 1997.
11. Was Jan Ashley married to Robert Kardashian?
Yes. They married on November 25, 1998.
12. How long was Jan Ashley married to Robert Kardashian?
Their relationship as a married couple broke down quickly, and the marriage was annulled in 1999.
13. Why did Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian separate?
Robert cited a disagreement about having children in a sworn declaration. Jan later attributed the breakup to tensions involving his family.
14. Did Jan Ashley have children?
No children are documented in reliable public records.
15. Was Jan Ashley Khloé Kardashian’s mother?
No. Khloé Kardashian’s mother is Kris Jenner.
16. What did Jan Ashley say about Khloé Kardashian?
She made disputed allegations about Khloé’s parentage. Those allegations were rejected by the Kardashian family and were not independently established.
17. Is Jan Ashley still alive in 2026?
No. She died on October 1, 2015.
18. How old was Jan Ashley when she died?
She was 67 years old.
19. What caused Jan Ashley’s death?
Her exact cause of death was not publicly confirmed.
20. Where was Jan Ashley buried?
Her obituary stated that she would be buried beside John Ashley at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California.
Final Thoughts
Jan Ashley’s life involved far more than her brief marriage to Robert Kardashian Sr.
Born in Amarillo, Texas, in August 1948, she grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she attended Will Rogers High School and became Miss Tulsa in 1966.
She developed a professional career as an executive secretary at Phillips Petroleum before marrying actor and producer John Ashley in 1978.
Their marriage lasted nearly 19 years and ended when John died in 1997.
Jan later married Robert Kardashian in November 1998, but their relationship broke down quickly and was annulled in 1999.
The marriage brought her into public discussions about one of America’s most famous families.
Her later comments about Khloé Kardashian generated controversy, although those allegations were not established as fact.
Jan eventually returned to Oklahoma in 2012.
She died on October 1, 2015, at age 67.
Her biography is best understood through documented achievements, professional work, family relationships, and historical records rather than celebrity speculation alone.
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