After Kelly Preston’s tragic death, John Travolta devoted himself to raising their kids

Losing a spouse is profoundly difficult, particularly when they die at a young age.

John Travolta and his family have endured several challenging years. In 2020, his wife Kelly Preston, who was also the mother of their children, died from breast cancer.

Since then, John has concentrated on being the best father possible to his children.

Over the years, John Travolta has become one of the century’s most celebrated actors. During his illustrious career, he found the love of his life, and together they built a beautiful family.

In 1992, after proposing at the Palace Hotel restaurant in Gstaad, Switzerland the previous year, John Travolta and Kelly Preston tied the knot.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston exchanged vows in a private ceremony at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris on September 5, 1991.

Born on October 13, 1962, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kelly pursued a similar path in the film industry as John. She studied acting at the University of Southern California and began her acting career in 1985. Over the years, Kelly appeared in several significant films, including “Mischief,” “Twins,” “Jerry Maguire,” and “For Love of the Game.”

 

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In addition to her work in film, Kelly Preston took on several minor television roles throughout her career. Her final film role came in 2018 with the movie “Gotti.” Sadly, Kelly passed away in July 2020 after a two-year fight with breast cancer. She was 57 years old.

“A family representative announced on the morning of July 12, 2020, that Kelly Preston, beloved wife and mother, had died after a two-year battle with breast cancer,” reported People magazine at the time.

“She was a bright, beautiful, and loving spirit who deeply cared for others and brought vitality to everything she touched. The family requests privacy during this time,” the representative added.

 

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Kelly Preston had kept her diagnosis a secret. During an appearance on the British talk show “Loose Women,” her co-star from “Off the Rails” — which was her final film — Sally Phillips, revealed that none of the cast knew about Kelly’s condition during filming.

“People often handle it privately due to concerns about film insurance and future employment opportunities,” Phillips explained, as noted by the Mirror.

“We’ve seen a few high-profile cases like this recently, haven’t we? Chadwick [Boseman] and Helen McCrory also kept their illnesses private,” she added.

John Travolta expressed his deep appreciation and grief on Instagram, writing, “She fought a courageous battle 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, and 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.”

In the same post, Travolta shared that he would be taking time to be with his family to mourn, focusing especially on his children, 22-year-old Ella and 11-year-old Ben. His first child with Kelly Preston, Jett, tragically passed away at 16 due to a seizure.

Travolta and Preston were married for 19 years and had three children together. Given that less than a year has passed since her death, it is completely understandable that Travolta is not ready to move on.

 

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John Travolta’s Current Romantic Status

As of now, John Travolta isn’t looking to start a new relationship.

“John has many friends eager to set him up, and there are plenty of women interested in dating him,” an insider shared with OK! Magazine

However, Travolta is not ready to pursue romance yet. “He’s flattered by the attention but just isn’t interested,” the source added.

“Everyone is being understanding and not pressuring him. They get that he’s conflicted about opening his heart again or focusing solely on being the best dad he can be. For the time being, his friends and family are giving him the space he needs to sort things out,” the insider explained.

John Travolta recently shared insights into his personal grieving process during an interview with Esquire Mexico, while keeping a low profile.

“Mourning is a very personal experience,” Travolta explained to the magazine. “It’s an individual journey, and healing comes in your own time.”

He emphasized the uniqueness of each person’s grief, stating, “It’s different from anyone else’s path. The best way to support someone in mourning is to let them experience it on their own terms without intertwining your own process. That has been my experience.”