Kelly Preston, the wife of Hollywood icon John Travolta, has died at the age of 57.
Preston, an actress herself, passed away on Sunday morning (July 12), after a two-year battle with breast cancer.
The tragic news was confirmed by Travolta himself, as he shared a tribute to Preston with his 2.6 million Instagram followers on Monday (July 13).
Travolta wrote: "It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.
"My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side."
He added: "Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered. I will be taking some time to be there for my children who have lost their mother, so forgive me in advance if you don’t hear from us for a while.
"But please know that I will feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal."
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In a statement to PEOPLE, a representative for the family added the following: "On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, adored wife and mother, passed away following a two-year battle with breast cancer.
"Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends."
Preston's acting career started in 1980, and she went on to star in over 60 television and film productions. She is perhaps best known for her toles in Mischief, Twins, and Jerry Maguire.
She is survived by husband John Travolta, of whom she was married to for 29 years, and their children; 20-year-old daughter Ella and nine-year-old son Benjamin. The couple's son, Jett, died in 2009 at the age of 16.
Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and fans at this difficult time...
Earlier today, it was revealed that Kelly Preston, the wife of Grease star John Travolta, had died at the age of 57 following a two-year battle with breast cancer.
Family, friends, and fans have now flooded social media with tributes to the late actress.
Preston - who is perhaps best known for her roles in the movies Mischief, Twins, and Jerry Maguire - passed away on Sunday morning (July 12).
A representative for the family told PEOPLE that Preston had chosen "to keep her fight private", adding that "she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends."
John Travolta also took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to his late wife, writing to his 2.6 million followers: "It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.
"My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side."
He added: "Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered. I will be taking some time to be there for my children who have lost their mother, so forgive me in advance if you don’t hear from us for a while.
"But please know that I will feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal."
[[imagecaption|| Credit: PA Images]]
Since news of her passing broke, tributes have poured in for the late actress.
John and Kelly's daughter, Ella, wrote the following tribute to her mother, in which the 20-year-old called her mom "courageous, strong, beautiful and loving".
Ella wrote: "I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you. Anyone who is lucky enough to have known you or to have ever been in your presence will agree that you have a glow and a light that never ceases to shine and that makes anyone around you feel instantly happy. Thank you for being there for me no matter what.
"Thank you for your love. Thank you for your help and thank you for making this world a better place. You have made life so beautiful and I know you will continue to do so always. I love you so much mama."
Some of Preston's former co-stars and celebrity friends have also shared their own tributes.
Actor and Lost star Daniel Dae Kim tweeted out: "I was lucky enough to work with [Kelly] on one of my very first films, “For Love of The Game.” We were shooting on cold days in Colorado, but she couldn’t have been warmer or kinder to a young, nervous actor trying to make good. I’ll never forget that. Thank you Kelly."
And Preston's Cat In The Hat co-star Spencer Breslin also paid his respects to Preston, writing: "RIP to my on screen mom, #kellypreston. What a lovely woman. Such a sad loss."
Frozen star Josh Gad tweeted his own tributes to the late actress, writing: "I’m in absolute shock. What a beautiful and amazing actress and person. So sad to hear of her passing at such a young age. My heart goes out to John Travolta and the entire family. What a loss."
Journalist and reporter Maria Shriver also shared her thoughts, tweeting: "Shocked by this sad news. Kelly was such a bright loving soul, a talented actress, and a loving mom and wife. My heart breaks for her family who have already known such sadness and grief. Join me in sending them love and strength."
Back To The Future star and Preston's SpaceCamp co-star Lea Thompson also paid tribute to Kelly on Instagram, writing: "I am so very sad to hear of my old friend @therealkellypreston passing. We had so much fun making #spacecamp all those many years ago.
"She was always full of love and light and Hawaiian breeziness. Kelly was so beautiful inside and out. Went way to young. #heartbroken for her whole family #breastcancerawareness is so important. Hold each other close and let’s keep fighting for a cure."
Preston's acting career started in 1980, and she went on to star in over 60 television and film productions. She is perhaps best known for her toles in Mischief, Twins, and Jerry Maguire.
She is survived by husband John Travolta, of whom she was married to for 29 years, and their children; 20-year-old daughter Ella and nine-year-old son Benjamin. The couple's son, Jett, died in 2009 at the age of 16.
Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and fans at this difficult time...
John Travolta has paid tribute to his late wife Kelly Preston on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, October 13, the 68-year-old Pulp Fiction actor posted a throwback snap of him and Preston embracing as they smiled at the cameras at a red carpet event.
Travolta captioned the image: "Happy birthday to my favorite dance partner! We love you and miss you Kelly."
Fans wasted no time in flocking to the sweet post's comments section, with one gushing: "She was a beautiful lady John. You have a Angel watching over you and your kids !!!"
Credit: Instagram / John Travolta
Another said: "Kelly and Olivia are watching over you and your family, John."
Credit: Instagram / John Travolta
A third wrote: "Happy Heavenly Birthday Kelly we all miss you."
Credit: Instagram / John Travolta
A forth penned: "She was a one amazing woman. Happy Birthday Kelly."
Credit: Instagram / John Travolta
The couple had been married for 28 years before Preston died at the age 0f 57 in July 2020 following a battle with breast cancer.
They had three children together: daughter Ella, now 22, son Ben, now 11, and an older son named Jett who died at the age of 16 in 2009.
Earlier this year, Travolta honored Preston in a sweet Mother's Day video montage. He captioned the emotional Instagram post, "We love and miss you Kelly. Happy Mother’s Day," alongside two emojis - a bouquet of flowers and a red heart.
The montage, which is almost five minutes long, features photos of Travolta, Preston, and their children. It includes many fond memories Travolta had from the early part of his marriage to the Jerry Maguire actress.
Ella also took to the social media platform to share a special message to honor her mother.
“I’ve learned a lot from all of the strong and powerful women in my life, I thank you all for being such wonderful role models,” she captioned a throwback pic of her and Preston on a Dumbo ride. “I miss and love you, mama. Happy Mothers to all of the wonderful moms out there!”
John Travolta has shared a very poignant conversation he had with his son about life and death after the tragic passing of his wife Kelly Preston.
Preston died in July 2020 following a two-year battle with breast cancer, leaving behind her husband and their two children: Ella, 21, and Ben, 10. Her death came just over a decade after her eldest son with the Pulp Fiction star died after suffering a seizure.
Now, during an appearance on Kevin Hart's talk show Hart to Heart, the 67-year-old actor opened up about a heartbreaking conversation he'd had with his youngest child after Preston died.
Watch the whole episode here:
Travolta recalled, per USA Today: "[Ben] said to me once, 'Because mom passed away, I’m afraid you’re going to.' I said, 'Well, it’s a very different thing.' And I went through the differences about my longevity and her limited life.
"I said, 'But you know, Ben … you always love the truth and I’m going to tell you the truth about life. Nobody knows when they’re gonna go or when they’re going to stay.'"
He continued: "'Your brother [Jett] left at 16. Too young. Your mother left at 57. That was too young. But who’s to say? I could die tomorrow. You could. Anybody can. So let’s look at it like it’s part of life. You don’t know exactly. You just do your best at trying to live the longest you can'."
When Preston died, the following statement was released announcing the devastating news:
"On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, adored wife, and mother, passed away following a two-year battle with breast cancer.
"Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends.
"She was a bright, beautiful, and loving soul who cared deeply about others and who brought life to everything she touched. Her family asks for your understanding of their need for privacy at this time."
Three years later, in 2012, Travolta opened up about his son's passing in an interview with BBC Breakfast, revealing he had been so devastated by the loss of his son that he had considered ending his career in the film industry.
Featured image credit: JEP Celebrity Photos / Alamy
John Travolta paid tribute to his late wife Kelly Preston in a sweet Mother's Day video montage over the weekend.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the 68-year-old Pulp Fiction actor posted a clip in honor of Preston, who died in the summer of 2020 following a battle with breast cancer. She was 57 when she died.
He captioned the emotional post, "We love and miss you Kelly. Happy Mother’s Day," alongside two emojis - a bouquet of flowers and a red heart.
The montage, which is almost five minutes long, features photos of Travolta, Preston, and their children.
It includes fond memories Travolta has from the early part of his marriage to the Jerry Maguire actress. Also seen in the clip are snaps of the two with their kids, Ella Bleu, Benjamin and their son, Jett, who passed away back in 2009.
Ella, 22, also took to the social media platform to share a special message to honor her mother.
“I’ve learned a lot from all of the strong and powerful women in my life, I thank you all for being such wonderful role models,” she captioned a throwback pic of her and Preston on a Dumbo ride. “I miss and love you, mama. Happy Mothers to all of the wonderful moms out there!”
Last month, Travolta shared a tribute to their late son Jett, who would have turned 30 on April 13. He passed away after suffering a seizure.
“My dearest Jetty, I miss you more than words can say. I think about you everyday. Happy Birthday. Love, your Dad,” he captioned a black-and-white photo of him and Jett.
Jett died at the age of 16 on January 2, 2009, while the family was on vacation in the Bahamas.
Last year, was the first time Travolta paid tribute to Preston on Mother's Day as it was the first since her untimely death.
He captioned the poignant post: "Dearest Kelly, you brought into my life three of the most wonderful children I have ever known. Thank you. We love and miss you. Happy Mother’s Day."
In the first snap, Travolta and Preston are pictured with their daughter Ella and their then-newborn son Benjamin.
The second image shows his wife holding Jett when he was a baby.
John Travolta has paid an emotional tribute to his late wife Kelly Preston on the first Mother's Day since her death.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, May 9, the 67-year-old Hairspray actor shared two sweet family photos with his 3.5 million followers.
He captioned the poignant post: "Dearest Kelly, you brought into my life three of the most wonderful children I have ever known. Thank you. We love and miss you. Happy Mother’s Day."
In the first snap, Travolta and Preston are pictured with their daughter Ella Bleu, now 21, and their then-newborn son Benjamin, now 10.
The second image shows his wife holding their first son Jett, who tragically passed away in January 2009 at the age of 16 after suffering a seizure.
The heartfelt upload has since racked up more than 437,000 likes and over 7,000 comments, with one fan writing: "Happy Mother’s Day to your gorgeous bride in the skies above! I believe she is right there with you and your amazing children!"
Another follower wrote: "RIP Kelly and Happy Mother's Day in heaven!!!"
A third fan commented: "Happy Mother’s Day Kelly! She's watching proudly over you and your beautiful children, always. Happy Mother's Day to your own mother too, John."
Credit: Instagram
Credit: Instagram
Credit: Instagram
Travolta and Preston tied the knot in 1991 after working together on the 1987 movie The Experts, released in 1989. The actress tragically died in July 2020 at the age of 57 following a battle with breast cancer.
In a candid interview with Esquire Spain, the Grease star spoke about his personal journey with grieving the loss of a loved one.
He told the publication: "I learned that mourning someone, living in grief, is very personal. Grief is personal and finding your own path is what could lead to healing. It's different than someone else's journey.
"The most important thing you can do to help another when they are in mourning is to allow them to live it and not complicate it with yours. Otherwise, it will be two boats plummeting to the bottom. That's my experience."
The actor added: "What you leave behind in people, I guess that's your legacy. How they interpret my life will be different for each one. And that’s fine because that will be me.
"The best thing I do is try to get to that part of life that allows me to enjoy it, and that joy is experiencing dance, music… and people."
Featured image credit: JEP Celebrity Photos / Alamy
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