’S WITH T NOW’

Hollywood icon John Travolta is “trying to remain strong” for his children Ella, 20, and Benjamin, 9, following the death of their mother, Kelly Preston, last week.

The grieving Grease star took to Instagram to share the devastating news, revealing his “beautiful wife” had been privately battling breast cancer for the last two years.

“She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many,” John, 66, wrote alongside a portrait of the Jerry Maguire actress. “Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered.”

While Kelly’s passing at just 57 years old is “an absolute tragedy, whatever way you look at it”, shares a source, John is “grateful” he got to spend the last two years by his wife’s side, in their own private bubble.

“Kelly went down fighting and surrounded by the love of her family and he’s so proud of her,” the close family friend tells New Idea exclusively. “John has suffered so much heartbreak in his life, it’s almost unbearable.

Indeed, in a cruel twist of more love to give, and was ecstatic when she fell pregnant.

“I’m sure Ella assured her mum that she would look after Ben and make sure he didn’t miss out on an ounce of motherly love,” says

“KELLY WENT DOWN FIGHTING, SURROUNDED BY HER FAMILY”

the source. “In a way,

I think they felt blessed that they had time to prepare for her passing.

“Ella is going to be John’s rock as he comes to terms with losing Kelly … he’s so thankful for her. While she’s the spitting image of her dad, she is gentle and kind like her mum was.”

Although Kelly and John were closing in on 30 years of marriage, the pair still acted like newlyweds and John, a pilot, would often whisk her away on surprise dates.

“It was nothing to him to bundle her up into his private jet and fly somewhere like New York for a lavish dinner. Kelly loved that spontaneity in him, and he worshipped her until the day she passed.”