Kelly Preston, a veteran star of the big screen and the wife of John Travolta, died on Sunday after a battle with breast cancer. She was 57 years old. Kelly Preston starred in major films such as Jerry Maguire and What a Girl Wants. In a statement shared on his Instagram, Travolta confirmed that his wife is no longer with us. “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,” the actor wrote.
“She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many,” Travolta affirmed. “My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Centre ,” he expressed. Travolta continued to credit “all the medical centres that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side.”
Travola concluded as follows:
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.
Preston launched her career in 1985 with her first significant movie role in Mischief. This breakthrough followed multiple minor roles on television shows, including For Love and Honor. Over the next few years, Preston appeared in such films as Space Camp (1986), Twins (1988), Jerry Maguire (1996) and For Love of the Game (1999). Her final movie role was in the 2018 film Gotti. In that film, she played Victoria Gotti, the wife of Mafia boss John Gotti. John Gotti of course was portrayed on screen by Travolta.
Preston and Travolta, meanwhile, got engaged on New Year’s Eve in 1991.
They got married in September of that year and welcomed son Jett about seven months later. 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’s rep told People Magazine that her family did not disclose her battle with breast cancer out of a desire for privacy.
“She had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends,” the family rep explained. “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.” Daughter Ella Travolta also addressed her mother’s passing in a statement posted on Instagram. “I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you.”