‘She was a bright, beautiful and loving soul’
Tributes pour in for Kelly Preston
Last week, John Travolta posted a statement online, telling the world that his wife Kelly Preston had died after a two-year battle with breast cancer.
The Grease and Pulp Fiction star shared a photo of Kelly along with a moving caption. “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,” he 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. 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.”
John and Kelly had been married for almost 29 years and had two children together – Ella, 20, and Benjamin, nine. The couple also had a son, Jett, who died at the age of 16 after a seizure while the family were on holiday in the Bahamas.
A family representative released a further statement last week. “Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends,” they said. “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 the need for privacy at this time.”
Tributes for the actress – who starred in films such as Jerry Maguire and The Cat In the Hat, as well as Battlefield Earth and Old Dogs alongside her husband – poured in from Hollywood. Frozen actor Josh Gad wrote, “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.” Mariah Carey responded to John’s Instagram post with the message, “Sending so much love to you and your family in this heartbreaking moment.”
Kelly and John’s daughter Ella posted her own tribute, writing, “I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you… Thank you for being there for me, no matter what.” ■
‘She fought a courageous fight’