The couple first crossed paths in 1987 and enjoyed nearly three decades of marriage until Preston, known for her role in “Jerry Maguire,” succ to breast cancer at the age of 57 on July 12, 2020 She is survived by her daughter Ella, now 24, and her son Benjamin, now 13.
Four years following Preston’s passing, we revisit their long-standing romance, which began with Travolta’s glamorous proposal on New Year’s Eve and led to the birth of their three children.
The pair initially met during the early stages of their careers on the set of the 1989 film “The Experts.” Although the movie did not perform well at the box office, it marked the beginning of their friendship, which eventually turned into a loving relationship.
While working together on the movie, Preston was nearing the end of her two-year marriage to Kevin Gage, whom she would later describe as the “wrong person” for her during a 2018 episode of “Watch What Happens Live!”
Subsequently, Preston briefly lived with George Clooney, ending their relationship in 1989, and was briefly engaged to Charlie Sheen—who proposed with a 25-carat diamond ring—until 1990.
Travolta and Preston began dating shortly thereafter. Travolta didn’t hesitate long before proposing to his future bride in the restaurant of the Palace Hotel in Gstaad, Switzerland. He presented her with a six-carat yellow-and-white diamond ring on New Year’s Eve 1991. Jonathan Krane, producer of “Look Who’s Talking Too,” recalled that Preston was taken aback by the swift proposal, exclaiming in surprise.
Even back then, those close to the couple sensed they were meant for a lasting union.
In a 1997 interview, Preston’s mother shared that, following her daughter’s earlier marriage and fleeting engagement, this relationship was different. Linda Carlson mentioned, “Kelly once said she tended to get involved with the ‘bad-boy type,’” but observed that Travolta was “kind, loving, and generous”—exactly what her daughter needed.
Prestavolta shared with “Entertainment Tonight” following their engagement that they intended to start a family. True to their plans, after solemnizing their union in a subdued Paris ceremony—and again a week later in Daytona Beach, Florida—they welcomed their first child, a son named Jett, in 1993.
The couple expanded their family in 2000 with the birth of their daughter, Ella. Over the following decade, as they raised their children, both maintained active acting careers. Travolta appeared in titles such as “Swordfish,” “Ladder 49,” and “Lonely Hearts,” while Preston featured in “The Cat in the Hat” and “What a Girl Wants.” They occasionally appeared on the red carpet as a family.
The family faced a devastating loss in 2009 when their son Jett passed away at age 16 from a seizure-induced head injury while vacationing in the Bahamas.
“John never anticipated such a tragedy—their bond was incredibly strong,” said family attorney Mike Ossi at the time. “His greatest joy came from his children’s happiness. He is devastated. Burying your child is unimaginably painful.”
The following year, Travolta and Preston had another son, Benjamin. Travolta expressed that his son brought a new sense of joy and purpose to their home.
Through their joys and sorrows, the couple settled into a contented married life in their last decade together, often celebrating significant birthdays and expressing their love through heartfelt posts on social media.
On July 12, 2020, Travolta announced the heart-wrenching news of his wife’s death after a two-year struggle with breast cancer.
“With profound sadness, I must tell you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer,” Travolta shared on Instagram “Her brave fight was supported by many, and she will always be remembered with love.”
Even after her death, Travolta continues to honor Preston, paying tribute to her during significant occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and Mother’s Days that they can no longer celebrate together.
