Actress Kelly Preston dies aged 57, husband John Travolta confirms
Kelly Preston
Kerri-Ann Roper, PA Entertainment Editor
13 July 2020, 5:47 am ·7-min read
American actor, dancer and singer (born 1954)
American actress and model (1962-2020)
Actress Kelly Preston, the wife of John Travolta, has died aged 57.
Preston, who starred in films such as Mischief, Twins and Jerry Maguire, lost her two-year battle with breast cancer, Travolta said in an Instagram post.
Alongside a photograph of her, he 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 Centre, all the medical centres that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side.
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. 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. All my love, JT
A post shared by John Travolta (@johntravolta) on Jul 12, 2020 at 10:20pm PDT
"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. All my love, JT."
The couple had been married for nearly 30 years and have a daughter, Ella, and son, Benjamin. It is reported they met while filming comedy The Experts in the late 80s and they got married in Paris a few years later in 1991.
Their son, Jett, died at the age of just 16 after suffering a seizure during a family holiday in the Bahamas in 2009.
Today, and every day, we celebrate you @therealkellypreston for being the best mother to our kids! Happy Mother's Day! And Happy Mother's Day to all the moms today!
A post shared by John Travolta (@johntravolta) on May 10, 2020 at 11:49am PDT
Preston's first major film role was in 1985's teen comedy Mischief. She later went on to star alongside her actor husband in Battlefield Earth and 2018's Gotti.
Ella paid tribute to her mother saying she had never "met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you".
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.❤️
A post shared by Ella Travolta (@ella.travolta) on Jul 12, 2020 at 10:38pm PDT
She wrote on Instagram: "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."
A family representative told American publication People that Preston had died on the morning of July 12.
They said: "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."
In September 2019, Preston described Travolta as "the most wonderful man I know" in an Instagram post celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary.
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 lows. 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 💕♥️🥰
A post shared by Kelly Preston (@therealkellypreston) on Sep 5, 2019 at 9:25am PDT
She wrote: "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 lows. 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".
Her last Instagram post was to celebrate Father's Day in June this year.
Hollywood star Josh Gad said he was in "absolute shock" at the news of Preston's death.
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. 🙏 RIP #KellyPreston https://t.co/yRqOmI3CjW
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) July 13, 2020
He tweeted: "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".
Lost star Daniel Dae Kim reminisced about working alongside Preston as he paid tribute to her.
I was lucky enough to work with her 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. #RestInPeace🙏🏼 https://t.co/szGCXxAxyI
— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) July 13, 2020
He tweeted: "I was lucky enough to work with her 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. #RestInPeace".
RIP to my on screen mom, #kellypreston. What a lovely woman. Such a sad loss.
— Spencer Breslin (@Spencerbreslin) July 13, 2020
Actor Spencer Breslin, who starred alongside Preston in the 2003 film The Cat In The Hat, tweeted: "RIP to my on screen mom, #kellypreston. What a lovely woman. Such a sad loss".
PM: Russian incursion into Ukraine would be 'disaster'
Boris Johnson says a Russian incursion into Ukraine "on any scale" would be a "disaster for the world". The prime minister was responding to a question about US President Joe Biden's remarks in a press conference where he suggested that a minor Russian incursion into Ukraine would not be met by harsh sanctions.
Bracing boat trips, dinosaurs and cherry pie: the best things to do with kids in Ontario
For a London family setting up home in Toronto, one of the main attractions has been visiting its parks, art galleries, markets and museums
Nicola Sturgeon 'far too gung-ho' in imposing Covid restrictions, say Scottish Tories
Nicola Sturgeon has denied being "far too gung-ho" in imposing tougher Covid restrictions over the festive period, as her deputy insisted secondary school pupils must continue to wear face masks.
Bullet Strikes 11-Month-Old Girl During Shooting on Bronx Street
An 11-month-old girl is in critical but stable condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the face from a stray bullet fired on a Bronx street on January 19.Footage shows the suspected shooter running from Valentine Avenue onto East 198th Street before turning around and running back onto Valentine Avenue. A police statement said two shots were fired, one which entered a vehicle and struck the infant.The NYPD released the footage and appealed to the public for help in identifying the suspect, who was believed to be chasing another individual when the shots were fired. Credit: NYPD via Storyful
Airbus cancels Qatar Airways order in escalating dispute
Airbus has cancelled a multi-billion euro order from Qatar Airways, escalating the dispute between the aircraft giant and one of its biggest customers.View on euronews
'It's heartbreaking, it's demoralising': regulator intervenes at Sydney aged care home over Covid infections
More than 60 residents and staff were infected with Covid-19 at the Bupa Clemton Park facility
Christian Wakeford: MP who defected to Labour claims he was threatened with loss of school in constituency
A former Conservative MP who defected and joined Labour has claimed he was threatened with the loss of a school in his constituency if he did not vote the way party bosses wanted him to. Christian Wakeford, who represents Bury South, switched parties on Wednesday. Speaking on Thursday, Mr Wakeford said the "threat" left him questioning his position in the Conservative Party.