John Travolta’s wife Kelly Preston has died of breast cancer aged 57.
The actor confirmed her death in an Instagram post overnight Sunday, 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. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.’
Actress and former model Preston and Travolta had been married for 29 years and were both practicing Scientologists.
They have two children, Ella, 20 and Benjamin, nine.
A son, Jett, died in 2009 aged 16.
Daughter Ella paid tirbute to her mom in a moving post, writing: ‘I love you so much mama.’
Travolta added: ‘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.’
A spokesman for the family told People: ‘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.
‘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 wrote: ‘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 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.’
Jerry Maguire star Preston was born in Honolulu, Hawaii before going onto to study at the University of Southern California.
Kelly and John met while making the 1987 film The Experts and while Preston was married to actor Kevin Gage; they divorced that year after two years of marriage.
Preston then got engaged to Travolta in 1991 in Gstaad, Switzerland. The pair married in September of that year.
Her final post to Instagram was one to celebrate Father’s Day in June.
On their 28th wedding anniversary last year Kelly called Travolta ‘the most wonderful man I know’.
She added: ‘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.’
The couple’s son Jett died in January 2009 during a family trip to the Bahamas when he hit his head on a bathtub after suffering a seizure at their home on Grand Bahama Island.