Kelly Preston has died. She was 57.
“On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, adored wife and mother, passed away following a two-year battle with breast cancer,” a family representative tells PEOPLE exclusively.
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“Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends,” the family rep says. “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.”
Preston is survived by her husband John Travolta and their children: daughter Ella, 20, and 9-year-old son Benjamin. Son Jett died at age 16 in January 2009.
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Preston, who was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith on October 13, 1962, in Honolulu, Hawaii, studied acting at the University of Southern California and launched her career in 1985 with her first major movie role in Mischief after several minor roles in television shows, including For Love and Honor.
In the next few years, Preston starred in films such as SpaceCamp (1986), Twins (1988), Jerry Maguire (1996) and For Love of the Game (1999). Preston’s final film role was in the 2018 film Gotti in which she played Victoria Gotti, the wife of Mafia boss John Gotti, who was portrayed on screen by Travolta.
Along with her career, Preston treasured her decades-long romance with husband Travolta.
On New Year’s Eve 1991, Travolta proposed at the Palace Hotel restaurant in Gstaad, Switzerland, with a six-carat yellow-and-white diamond ring. When they got married on Sept. 5, 1991, Preston was two months pregnant with their son Jett. (The couple later got married for a second time on U.S. soil in Daytona Beach, Florida.)
Last September, Travolta and Preston celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. “Happy Anniversary to my wonderful wife ♥️ @therealkellypreston,” the Grease actor wrote on Instagram at the time.
Preston wrote a heartfelt note to her husband, sharing: “To my dearest Johnny, the most wonderful man I know. You have given me hope when I have felt lost, loved me patiently and unconditionally… made me laugh harder than any other human being possible… shared the most beautiful highs and at times low. You’re a dream Daddio and make life so much fun!! I trust my love with you implicitly… with you I know I will always be okay no matter what happens… I love you forever and completely. Happy 28th Anniversary @johntravolta.”
In 2018, Preston told PEOPLE about one of the couple’s last romantic moments. “I think it’s when Johnny just whisks me away, and we’ll jump on the airplane and go out to dinner, and I don’t know where we’re going. It’s good to be married to a pilot!” she said.
And the mother of three adored her children. “I’ve wanted babies since I was 9,” Preston told InStyle in 2001.
Their son Jett was born in April 1992 and daughter Ella was born in April 2000. Following Jett’s tragic death, son Ben was born in November 2010 after Preston and Travolta tried for three years to conceive.
“Kelly Preston dies at 57 after battle with breast cancer”
“John Travolta’s wife Kelly Preston dies of breast cancer aged 57”
The actor confirmed her death in an Instagram post overnight Sunday, writing: ‘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.’
Actress and former model Preston and Travolta had been married for 29 years and were both practicing Scientologists. They have two children, Ella, 20 and Benjamin, nine. A son, Jett, died in 2009 aged 16.
Travolta 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.’
Kelly Preston has died aged 57. She is pictured with husband John Travolta in 2018
The actor confirmed her death in an Instagram post overnight Sunday
A spokesman for the family told People: ‘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.’
Preston was born in Honolulu, Hawaii before going onto to study at the University of Southern California.
She got engaged to Travolta in 1991 in Gstaad, Switzerland. The pair married in September of that year.
Her final post to Instagram was one to celebrate Father’s Day in June.
On their 28th wedding anniversary last year Kelly called Travolta ‘the most wonderful man I know’.
She added: ‘You have given me hope when I have felt lost, loved me patiently and unconditionally… made me laugh harder than any other human being possible… shared the most beautiful highs and at times low.
‘You’re a dream Daddio and make life so much fun!! I trust my love with you implicitly… with you I know I will always be okay no matter what happens… I love you forever and completely. Happy 28th Anniversary @johntravolta.’
Preston got engaged to Travolta in 1991 in Switzerland. The pair married in the September
“Actress Kelly Preston Dead At Age 57”
The news of Preston’s passing was revealed exclusively to People Magazine by a family representative, who report “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.”
Preston began her acting career back in 1985 with a role in the film “Mischief” and a few television shows. She then went on to star in films such as “SpaceCamp”, “Twins”, “Jerry Maguire” and “For The Love of the Game” and also starred opposite her husband John Travolta in 2018 film “Gotti”.
Preston and Travolta celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary last September and her last posting on Instagram was in celebration of Father’s Day posting an image surrounded by her family and a black and white photo of Travolta and their late son Jett.
Our sincere condolences go out to Kelly Preston’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
The following note was posted by Preston’s husband John Travolta confirming her passing as well:
“John Travolta’s wife Kelly Preston dies aged 57”
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“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.”
Kelly is survived by her actor husband and their two children - Ella, 20, and nine-year-old son Benjamin. Tragically, their son Jett died at age 16 in January 2009.
John proposed to the Jerry Maguire star on New Year’s Eve in 1991, and they were married on 5 September, 1991. At the time, Kelly was two months pregnant with Jett.
In September, the couple celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. “Happy Anniversary to my wonderful wife @therealkellypreston,” the Grease actor wrote on Instagram at the time.
Kelly, meanwhile, shared a touching message for her husband, writing: “To my dearest Johnny, the most wonderful man I know. You have given me hope when I have felt lost, loved me patiently and unconditionally… made me laugh harder than any other human being possible… shared the most beautiful highs and at times low.
“You’re a dream Daddio and make life so much fun!! I trust my love with you implicitly… with you I know I will always be okay no matter what happens… I love you forever and completely. Happy 28th Anniversary @johntravolta.”
Kelly starred in a number of films throughout her film career, including Space Camp, Twins and For The Love of the Game. Her last movie role was in the 2018 film Gotti, in which she appeared as Victoria Gotti, the wife of Mafia boss John Gotti, who was portrayed on screen by her husband.
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“Actress Kelly Preston Has Passed Away Aged 57”
Hollywood actress Kelly Preston has passed away following a private battle with breast cancer.
She was 57.
“On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, adored wife and mother, passed away following a two-year battle with breast cancer,” a family representative told People magazine.
“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.”
Kelly was known for roles in films including Mischief, Twins, Jerry Maguire, Battlefield Earth and What a Girl Wants.
Kelly married John Travolta in 1991. They had three children together, 20-year-old Ella, 9-year-old Benjamin and Jett who passed away in 2009 at the age of 16.