Kelly Preston Dies of Breast Cancer at 57

Hollywood mourns the loss of Kelly Preston today. The Jerry Maguire actress died on Monday after a two-year battle with breast cancer.

“She was a bright, beautiful and loving soul”

A family representative issued the following statement. “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,” 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.”

Kelly Preston is survived by her actor husband, John Travolta, and their two children. 20 year old daughter Ella and 9-year-old son Benjamin. The couple’s eldest son, Jett, died at the age of 16 in January 2009.

“Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered”

John Travolta confirmed his wife’s death in an emotional Instagram post overnight on Sunday. “’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 continued.

“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.”

“I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you”

Kelly’s daughter Ella Travolta also addressed her mother’s passing in a heartfelt statement written on Instagram. The 20-year-old captioned a photo of her mother writing, ‘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. 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.’

Father’s Day and Remembering Jett

In the weeks before her death, Preston was active on her personal Instagram, posting pictures of her family numerous times. Her latest photo honored her husband on Father’s Day. Preston’s final Instagram post was a family selfie in celebration of Father’s Day in June. “Happy Father’s Day to the best one I know, we love you,” she captioned the photo.

In addition, Preston posted a black-and-white portrait of Travolta and Jett.

Kelly Preston’s career

Preston, who was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith on October 13, 1962, in Honolulu, Hawaii, studied acting at the University of Southern California. She landed her first major movie role in Mischief which went on to launch her movie career.

The actress starred in multiple big scale projects as well as several minor TV show roles, like, For Love and Honor. Preston went on to star 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. She played Victoria Gotti, the wife of Mafia boss John Gotti, who was portrayed on screen by her actual husband, John Travolta.

Kelly and John

In addition to having a successful career, Preston treasured a beautiful, decades long romance with her husband, and they eventually had a lovely family.

Kelly and John first met while making the 1987 film, The Experts. At the time, Preston was married to actor Kevin Gage. However, they divorced that year itself after only two years of marriage. 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 September 5, 1991, Preston was two months pregnant with their son Jett. The couple even got married later for a second time in Daytona Beach, Florida. Preston has revealed in past interviews that she had a premonition when she saw the poster for Grease at age 16 that she would marry Travolta.

Celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary

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.”

Condolences from celebs

A lot of celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to Preston and express their condolences to her family.

“I’m in absolute shock,” Josh Gad wrote on Twitter.” 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.”

“A beautiful lady. Inside and out. A crushing loss. Rest In Peace, Kelly Preston,” Holly Robinson Peete wrote.

Maria Shriver wrote, “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. #RIP #KellyPreston.”

“I was lucky enough to work with her on one of my very first films, For Love of The Game,” Daniel Dae Kim tweeted. “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.”

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