Actor Kelly Preston Passes Away at 57 from Breast Cancer

Actor Kelly Preston passed away on July 12 after a two-year battle with breast cancer. The 57-year old was married to actor John Travolta and is survived by two children, a daughter Ella, 20, and a son Benjamin, nine. Preston had been undergoing medical treatment for some time now, and had chosen to keep her fight with cancer private.

Travolta posted a picture of his late wife on Instagram, with news of her passing, 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." In a moving caption, he commemorated "the courageous fight" she had put up and her "love and life" that will be remembered.

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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

Remembering Kelly Preston's Career

Preston was last seen in the 2018 film Gotti, which also starred Travolta, where they played a married couple. Her other notable works include Jerry Maguire (1996), SpaceCamp (1986), Twins (1988), What a Girl Wants (2003), and Old Dogs (2009).

Born in 1962, Preston graduated from the University of Southern California, with a degree in drama and theatre. She first rose to prominence in 1985, with her breakthrough role in Mischief, a teen rom-com.

She first met Travolta while shooting for The Experts in 1987. The couple married in 1991, and celebrated their 28th anniversary in September 2019. Preston had marked the occasion with a picture and a sweet message. Her last Instagram post was made 3 weeks ago, on Father's Day, with a family picture and another one with their late son Jett, who had passed away in 2009.

Tributes Pour In

A family representative told People, "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."

Ella Travolta, their daughter, posted a tribute to her mother on Instagram, writing, "I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you...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." 

Many Hollywood celebrities also paid their last respects to Preston. Actor Russel Crowe, remembering her, tweeted, "Kelly Preston... I haven't seen her much, but when I did, she was always the same sparkly eyed gem. Love to her family." Journalist Piers Morgan wrote, "Such sad news about Kelly Preston. She & John Travolta had one of the most enduring (29 year) Hollywood marriages & were two of the nicest, most genuine people in the business."

Image Credit: Variety

Tanvi Akhauri is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.