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

When people hear the name “Kardashian,” they usually think of Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, and their famous mom, Kris Jenner. But not many know about Jan Ashley, the woman who became Robert Kardashian’s second wife for a very short time. Her life story is interesting because she was once a beauty queen, then married a Hollywood producer, and later became linked to one of the most famous families in the world.

This article takes a friendly, simple look at Jan Ashley. You’ll learn about her early life, how she became Miss Tulsa, her first marriage to John Ashley, and how she met Robert Kardashian. We’ll explore her journey step by step so you can really understand who she was and why her story still matters today.

Jan Ashley Quick Bio

Who Was Jan Ashley?

Jan Ashley was born Janice Lynn Glass Ashley on August 3, 1948 in Amarillo, Texas, USA. She grew up in a small-town setting with her parents, James Douglas Glass and Monnie M. Glass. Life in Amarillo was calm and simple, far from the world of television cameras and celebrity news.

There isn’t much public information about her childhood because she lived quietly at that time. But you can imagine a young girl enjoying the big Texas skies, going to school, and spending time with family and friends. Her small-town roots gave her values like kindness and humility, which stayed with her even when her life later touched fame.

These early years shaped Jan into someone who preferred peace over chaos. Even when she later entered the public eye, she stayed soft-spoken and private, showing how deeply her upbringing influenced her.

Jan Ashley’s Pageant Days

Jan wasn’t always connected to famous names. In 1966, she took part in a beauty contest and won the Miss Tulsa crown. This was a big moment for her. Can you picture a smiling young Jan wearing her sash and crown? It must have been exciting for a girl from Amarillo to earn such an honor.

Winning Miss Tulsa gave Jan a taste of attention and confidence. Many people might have used that win to chase fame or start a big public career. But Jan chose a different path. She stayed grounded and didn’t push to be in the spotlight. Instead, she enjoyed her private life and focused on what made her happy.

Her pageant win was the first time Jan stepped into the spotlight. But as you’ll see, it wouldn’t be the last. Years later, her life would cross paths with someone whose name would bring far more attention.

Marriage to Actor John Ashley

Years after her beauty queen days, Jan met a man named John Ashley. John was well-known in Hollywood as an actor and film producer. He worked on famous projects like Apocalypse Now, The A-Team, and Beyond Atlantis. Meeting John opened a new chapter in Jan’s life.

Jan and John married in 1978. Their marriage lasted nearly two decades, and by all accounts, it was a happy one. While John worked in the entertainment industry, Jan stayed out of the limelight. She focused on their home life and enjoyed living quietly, even though her husband was connected to big names in movies and TV.

Sadly, their long and loving marriage ended when John passed away in October 1997 from a heart attack. Jan was heartbroken. Losing a partner after so many years is never easy. This was a very hard time for her, and it changed her life forever. But soon after, another chapter began—one that would bring her into the Kardashian world.

How Jan Ashley Met Robert Kardashian

Not long after John’s death, Jan met Robert Kardashian, the famous lawyer best known for being part of O.J. Simpson’s defense team. Their meeting was almost like something from a movie. Jan was selling her house, and Robert came to view it. When he saw her photo, he became curious about her and wanted to meet.

Robert even contacted one of John Ashley’s actor friends to introduce him to Jan. This shows how interested Robert was from the very start. The two began dating in early 1998. They spent about seven months getting to know each other, traveling together, and sharing time.

Robert admired Jan’s warmth and kindness. After losing her first husband, Jan may have seen this as a chance to find happiness again. Their romance moved quickly, and before long, Robert proposed to her during a trip to Hawaii.

Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian’s Quick Wedding

On November 25, 1998, Jan and Robert married in Vail, Colorado. It was a private but special event. What made it even more unique was that Robert’s four children — Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Jr. — joined them on the wedding day and even went on their honeymoon with them.

At first, it seemed like the start of a happy new chapter for Jan. After the pain of losing John, she might have hoped this was a fresh beginning. Robert also seemed happy, and the couple appeared ready to blend their families.

But things did not go as planned. Just 30 days later, their marriage ended. The union was annulled on December 25, 1998 — a very short marriage that left many people wondering what really happened between them.

Why Jan Ashley’s Marriage to Robert Kardashian Ended So Fast

Many people were surprised when Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian ended their marriage just one month after tying the knot. At first, no one really knew why. But years later, Jan opened up and shared what happened.

She said the main problem was the stress Robert felt from his past. His first wife, Kris Jenner, and their kids were still a big part of his life. According to Jan, they were often asking him for money. This made Robert feel overwhelmed and unhappy. Even though Jan and Robert got along, the pressure from outside made things hard.

Jan said Robert was always upset—not with her, but with the drama around him. She believed he wanted peace, but couldn’t find it while dealing with his ex-wife and children. So, instead of staying in a marriage full of stress, they decided to end it quickly before things got worse.

Did Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian Have Children?

There were rumors that Jan Ashley and Robert Kardashian wanted to have a baby together. Some legal papers from their divorce even said they had planned to have a child before getting married. But Jan later said that this wasn’t true.

She shared that she had no plans to have kids with Robert. If she had wanted children, she would have had them with her first husband, John Ashley, during their many years together. Jan had no children from either marriage and seemed happy with that choice.

This part of her life reminds us that not everyone wants to follow the same path. Jan lived in her own quiet way, with her own choices and values.

Jan Ashley’s Comments About Khloé Kardashian

In 2012, Jan Ashley made headlines again. She said something that shocked a lot of people. In an interview, Jan claimed that Robert Kardashian once told her that Khloé Kardashian was not his biological daughter.

She explained that Robert said it to her as if it was just a simple fact. Jan also mentioned that Khloé looked very different from her siblings — she was taller, had lighter hair, and had a different body type. Jan said that even Khloé used to bring it up, like she noticed the difference herself.

Of course, this comment caused a big stir. Khloé was very upset and responded on Twitter, calling the statement “disgusting” and saying Jan should be ashamed. The tweet was later deleted, but it showed how much the claim hurt her.

Even though this topic is still sensitive, it became a big part of why people remember Jan Ashley and her short time in the Kardashian world.

Jan Ashley’s Life After the Kardashian Spotlight

After all the drama, Jan Ashley stepped away from the spotlight. She didn’t try to stay in the news or continue talking about the Kardashians. Instead, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she lived a quiet and peaceful life.

There are very few photos or interviews of Jan after 2012. She chose privacy over fame. Unlike the Kardashian family, Jan didn’t enjoy being in front of cameras. She liked simple things and kept to herself.

Her time in the public eye was short. But even after stepping away, people still remembered her as Robert Kardashian’s forgotten wife — the one who was there briefly, but whose story stayed connected to a much bigger one.

When and How Jan Ashley Passed Away

Jan Ashley passed away on October 1, 2015. She was 67 years old at the time and died peacefully in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The news of her death didn’t make big headlines, but people close to her remembered her as a kind and graceful woman.

She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California — right next to her first husband, John Ashley. This small detail says a lot. Even though she married Robert Kardashian, it was John who seemed to hold a more lasting place in her heart.

Her death marked the quiet end to a life that touched both love and fame, but always came back to peace and privacy.

Jan Ashley and the Kardashian Family Legacy

Even though Jan Ashley was only married to Robert Kardashian for a short time, her name still comes up in stories about the family. Her life was connected to the Kardashian name — even if just for a moment — and that moment was enough to become part of their long and complicated history.

What makes her story interesting is that she never tried to become famous. She didn’t chase the spotlight, yet people still talk about her. She shared her story once, spoke her truth, and then stepped back.

In a world full of cameras, interviews, and social media posts, Jan chose to stay quiet. That alone makes her different from the world she was briefly part of.

Final Thoughts

Jan Ashley lived a life filled with both love and loss. From winning Miss Tulsa, to marrying a Hollywood producer, to her short time as Robert Kardashian’s wife, her life had many turns. She faced attention, drama, and public opinion — but still chose to live quietly and peacefully.

Today, in 2025, people still wonder about her. Not because she was loud or famous, but because she stayed true to herself. Her short time with the Kardashians, her comments about Khloé, and her quiet passing make her story both touching and mysterious.

Her journey reminds us that not all stories are loud. Some are soft, simple, and still worth telling.