Kelly Preston dies at 57 after battle with breast cancer

Actress Kelly Preston has passed away after a two-year battle with breast cancer. Her husband, John Travolta, shared the news with fans on social media on July 13, revealing that the 57-year-old fought a brave battle with her loved ones by her side.“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,” he wrote. “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.”

 

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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

The actor added the he will be taking some time away now to be there for their kids, Ella and Benjamin. The couple were also parents to Jett Travolta, who died in January 2009 at the age of 16 from a seizure while the family was in the Bahamas for a Christmas vacation. “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,” Travolta wrote.Celebrities and friends were quick to respond with thoughts of love and their condolences. “Sending so much love to you and your family in this heartbreaking moment,” wrote Mariah Carey. “I am holding you all in love. Your wife, your partner in life, was a darling soul. Always at the ready with comfort and grace. What a team you were. She will be so missed,” wrote Selma Blair.

I’m in absolute shock. What a beautiful and amazing actress and person. So sad to hear of her passing at such a young age. My heart goes out to John Travolta and the entire family. What a loss. ? RIP #KellyPreston https://t.co/yRqOmI3CjW

— Josh Gad (@joshgad) July 13, 2020

Shocked by this sad news. Kelly was such a bright loving soul, a talented actress, and a loving mom and wife. My heart breaks for her family who have already known such sadness and grief. Join me in sending them love and strength. #RIP #KellyPreston https://t.co/DndcfOtlOn

— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) July 13, 2020

This is terribly sad news. A lovely young woman at such an early age. So sorry, John, for your tragic loss. #RIPKellyPreston https://t.co/uFG2DsZWVp

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) July 13, 2020

This beautiful ray of lightIs with Jett nowHolding each other tight.

John, sending love and comfort as you hold Ella and Benjamin.You have an army of friends and angels. #RIPKellyPreston ?— Frances Fisher (@Frances_Fisher) July 13, 2020

This is so sad. I spent an afternoon with Kelly and a few other actresses at a Dolce&Gabbana fashion show and she was open and hilarious and lovely. It was a great afternoon. God bless John Travolta and their kids. #RipKellyPreston https://t.co/XvGQKz3J3b

— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) July 13, 2020

Preston and Travolta were married for 28 years. After meeting on the set of the 1988 film The Experts, they got hitched in a midnight Paris ceremony in 1991. They were expecting their first son, Jett, at the time. Over the years they occasionally appeared in other films together, including Battlefield Earth and the 2018 film Gotti, in which Travolta played the famous crime boss John Gotti and Preston played his wife, Victoria.Throughout her career Preston made quite the name for herself in films like For Love of the Game opposite Kevin Costner and Twins opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. She had many other film titles on her resume—especially in the 1980s and 1990s—including Jerry Maguire and Run. Her last film was an upcoming comedy called Off the Rails from director Jules Williamson, which is currently in post-production.“On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, adored wife and mother, passed away following a two-year battle with breast cancer," a family representative told People, who first reported the news. “Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends,” the rep added. “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.”