After Kelly Preston’s tragic death, John Travolta devoted himself to raising their kids
Losing a spouse is among the most challenging experiences one can face in life, particularly when they leave us at a young age.
John Travolta and his family have endured some incredibly difficult years. In 2020, his wife, Kelly Preston, who was the mother of their children, sadly lost her battle with breast cancer.
Since that time, John has dedicated himself to being the best father possible.
Over the years, Travolta transformed into one of the finest actors of the century. During this journey, he found the love of his life, and together they built a beautiful family.
In 1991, after a proposal at the Palace Hotel restaurant in Gstaad, Switzerland the previous year, John Travolta wed Kelly Preston.
The couple exchanged vows on September 5, 1991, in a private ceremony at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris.
Kelly was born on October 13, 1962, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and like John, she was involved in the film industry. She pursued acting at the University of Southern California, and in 1985, she began her acting career, featuring in several notable films such as Mischief, Twins, Jerry Maguire, and For Love of the Game.
Preston also had a few minor roles on television throughout her career. In 2018, she appeared in the film Gotti, which turned out to be her last film role. Tragically, in July 2020, Kelly passed away after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
She was 57 years old.
“On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, beloved wife and mother, passed away after a two-year fight against breast cancer,” a family representative shared with People at that time.
“She was a radiant, beautiful, and loving person who cared deeply for others and infused life into everything she encountered. Her family requests your understanding as they seek privacy during this difficult time.”]}
It was revealed that Kelly had chosen to keep her diagnosis to herself. During an appearance on the British talk show Loose Women, her co-star from Off the Rails – which was her final film role – Sally Phillips mentioned that they were unaware of anything while they were filming.
“That’s what people tend to do—they handle it alone due to concerns about film insurance and the possibility of working again afterward,” Phillips stated, as reported by the Mirror.
“We’ve seen a few high-profile cases of this recently, haven’t we? Chadwick [Boseman] and Helen McCrory kept it a secret from everyone,” she continued.
“She bravely battled with the love and support of countless people,” Travolta shared. “Kelly’s love and life will always be cherished.”
John Travolta posted on Instagram: “My family and I will always be thankful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical facilities that assisted, and her many friends and family who stood by her. Kelly’s love and life will always be cherished.”
In the same message, Travolta mentioned that he would be taking time to be with his family during this period of mourning, especially his children, 22-year-old Ella and 11-year-old Ben. His first child with Kelly Preston, Jett, passed away from a seizure at the age of 16.
Travolta and Preston were married for 19 years before her passing and had three children together. Given that it’s been less than a year since her death, it’s completely understandable that he may not be ready to move forward just yet.
John Travolta’s new girlfriend
As for Travolta, he’s not quite ready to start dating anyone just yet.
“John has plenty of friends eager to set him up, and there are numerous women who would be thrilled to go out with him,” a source shared with OK! Magazine.
“John appreciates the attention, but he’s simply not interested right now.
“No one wants to pressure him because they realize he’s conflicted between the desire to embrace love again and the commitment to being the best father possible. Until John can sort through his feelings, everyone is respecting his need for space.
While keeping a low profile, Travolta shared his grieving experience during an interview with Esquire Mexico.
“I have come to understand that mourning someone is a personal journey,” Travolta expressed to the magazine. “Grieving is unique to each individual, and only your own path can lead to healing.”
“This process differs from anyone else’s journey. The best way to support someone in mourning is to let them experience it without complicating it with your own feelings. That has been my experience.”
Travolta is familiar with loss. In 2009, he faced an even more heartbreaking tragedy in his family: Jett, his eldest child with Preston, passed away from a seizure at just 16 years old.
Jett was autistic, battled Kawasaki disease, and was susceptible to seizures. The loss of his son left Travolta heartbroken.
Life after Kelly
Three years have passed since Kelly’s death, and now Travolta is concentrating on his family and his role as a father. Following his wife’s passing, he committed to stepping back from his career to prioritize family, and he has remained true to that promise.
In the past year, one of his most notable on-screen appearances was in a Super Bowl commercial, which featured his daughter Ella as well. This opportunity allowed Travolta to showcase some of his iconic dance moves while enjoying quality time with his family.
For Ella Bleu, the loss of her mother was devastating, as it would be for anyone. Nevertheless, she has been pursuing a career in acting, following her father’s path, and he has been incredibly supportive throughout the years.
When Ella, 22, secured a part in a new version of Alice in Wonderland called Get Lost, John Travolta couldn’t help but boast about his wonderful daughter. He took to Instagram to post a photo of her dressed as Alice in Wonderland.
“I’m a very proud dad!” he expressed in the caption.
The 68-year-old single father frequently shares images of his blonde-haired son Ben, who is 11. On Father’s Day, the Saturday Night Fever star opened up about his experience as a dad.
“It’s a privilege to be a father. I love you, my babies. Happy Father’s Day to everyone,” he wrote alongside pictures of his kids.
Travolta expressed his desire to support his children as much as possible.
“I will make sure my children have a bright future and assist them in pursuing their passions,” Travolta stated.
“The legacy is shaped by all the individuals who have cared for and supported me throughout the years,” he shared with Esquire. “Life is a journey filled with movement; what you leave behind in others, I suppose that’s your legacy.”
Airport mansion
Recently, John Travolta made the decision to sell his family vacation home in Maine, a place where he, his children, and Kelly shared many cherished moments together.
Travolta purchased the Maine estate in 1991, following his marriage to Kelly. The expansive 10,000-square-foot property was listed for sale in 2021 at a price of $5 million. Built in 1903, this stunning home features 20 bedrooms, access to a beach and the open ocean, as well as an in-ground pool.
However, it seems that the asking price was deemed too high, but it’s evident that Travolta is ready to part with their vacation home. In 2022, it was listed for sale once more.
Currently, it seems that The Pulp Fiction star primarily resides at his home in Florida. The most renowned and impressive estate owned by Travolta is situated in Ocala, Florida. This expansive 550-acre property features six bedrooms and boasts some unique amenities – including two aircraft runways that extend right to his front door.
A passionate flight enthusiast and certified pilot licensed to operate a 737 airplane, Travolta was among the first to acquire land in this exclusive gated community back in 2001.
“We designed the house to accommodate the jets and to have the world at our fingertips whenever we needed it, and we achieved that. I fell in love with aviation when I was just five years old. It’s in my blood,” John Travolta shared with Australia’s Today.
This summer, he offered a peek into his family life as he traveled around the globe with Ella and Ben.
The question remains: how long will Travolta hold onto his cherished aircraft estate, which features a banquet hall accommodating up to 400 guests? In 2019, it was listed for $10.5 million.
According to listing agent Bartow McDonald:
“What truly sets Jumbolair apart is what lies beyond the runway. It offers the unique opportunity to travel anywhere in the world right from your own backyard.”
We sincerely apologize for all that the Travolta family has faced recently, but we are relieved to hear that John is doing well and has discovered some tranquility during this time of mourning.
Having the opportunity to grieve and heal is crucial. It’s essential to have moments of solitude, as well as to be in the company of cherished individuals.
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