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.
In a statement shared to his Instagram, Travolta confirmed that his wife — who starred in major films such as Jerry Maguire and What a Girl Wants — 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.
“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.”
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.
Presto launched her career in 1985 with her first significant movie role in Mischief, which followed multiple minor roles on television shows, including For Love and Honor.
Over the next few years, Preston appeared in such films as SpaceCamp (1986), Twins (1988), Jerry Maguire (1996) and For Love of the Game (1999).
Her final movie role was in the 2018 film Gotti… in which she played Victoria Gotti, the wife of Mafia boss John Gotti, who 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 to Instagram.
“I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you,” wrote Ella as a caption to the image below, adding:
“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.”
Preston is survived by her husband and their children: Ella, 20, and 9-year-old son Benjamin.
Son Jett died at age 16 in January of 2009.
May Kelly Preston rest in peace.
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