Daily Star

Hollywood royalty hit by tragedy

Actor’s tribute to wife as she dies aged 57

- ■ by KATE NELSON kate.nelson@dailystar.co.uk

JOHN Travolta was last night mourning the death of his wife Kelly Preston after his family were struck by yet another devastatin­g tragedy.

The Grease legend shared an Instagram post revealing the Jerry Maguire star had died from breast cancer aged just 57. She had privately battled the disease for two years.

Her death comes after the couple’s son Jett, 16, died from a seizure in 2009 after hitting his head on a bathtub during a family holiday in the Bahamas.

The Pulp Fiction actor wrote: “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 as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side. Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered.”

Strong

The heartbroke­n dad-of-three, 66, will now focus on the couple’s other two children Ella, 20, and Benjamin, nine, alone.

He added: “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.”

Kelly was Jerry Maguire’s fiancée in the 1996 film alongside Tom Cruise and Arnold Schwarzene­gger’s love interest in Twins in 1988.

The actress met John in 1988 on the set of comedy film The Experts and the couple were married for 29 years. Her daughter Ella paid tribute to her mum saying she had never “met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you”.

And John’s Grease co-star Dame Olivia Newton-john, 71, last night posted online: “[Kelly] was a radiant, warm and gentle spirit – a loving, devoted wife, mother and sweet friend. My heart breaks for John, Ella and Ben.”

 ??  ?? TRAGEDY 2 TRAGEDY 1
TRAGEDY 2 TRAGEDY 1
 ??  ?? ■ BRAVE: Kelly Preston secretly battled breast cancer for the past two years
■ BRAVE: Kelly Preston secretly battled breast cancer for the past two years
 ??  ?? FAMILY: Kelly and John with their kids Ella and Benjamin
FAMILY: Kelly and John with their kids Ella and Benjamin
 ??  ?? MOVING: John spoke of Kelly’s ‘courageous fight’ in his post
MOVING: John spoke of Kelly’s ‘courageous fight’ in his post
 ??  ?? CLOSE: Old snap from The Experts and their late son Jett
CLOSE: Old snap from The Experts and their late son Jett
 ??  ??
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? ■
STAR ROLES: Kelly in Jerry Maguire and Twins
■ STAR ROLES: Kelly in Jerry Maguire and Twins

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