For more than three decades, John Travolta has been a popular figure in cinema, best remembered for his captivating performances in classics such as Saturday Night Fever and Grease.
However, beneath the sparkling veneer of celebrity, John, like everyone else, has encountered personal challenges, the most heartbreaking of which was the death of his wife, Kelly Preston, on July 12, 2020.
Kelly, an excellent American actress, was John’s guiding star, her brilliant presence a treasured gift that, sadly, was not to last. The Punisher actor lost his loving wife three years ago, and her loss has had far-reaching consequences.
Since then, John has been open about his grief at the loss of Kelly, actual name Kelly Kamalelehua Smith, who heroically battled breast cancer for two years before succumbing to the disease at the age of 57.
Three years after Kelly’s death, John’s sadness is still palpable, and he finds himself constantly expressing it.
The Face/Off actor confirmed his late wife’s death on Instagram, accompanied by an emotional tribute: “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.”
Throughout this difficult journey, John has been characterized as swearing off dating and finding the grieving process overwhelming and even intimidating.
John and Kelly’s love story is reminiscent of a fairy tale, with a lovely marriage that blossomed after they met on the set of the 1989 film The Experts.
The chemistry between the two was undeniable, as John said in a 2018 interview with Us Weekly. Their marriage lasted nearly 29 years, and their bond seemed impenetrable until Kelly’s sad death.
Kelly’s varied career included appearances in films such as From Dusk Till Dawn, Twins, The Cat in the Hat, and Jerry Maguire. Gotti, a 2018 crime biopic, was one of her final on-screen performances, which she shared with John.
This Mother’s Day, John paid tribute to Kelly by posting a video on Instagram of her relishing in a Mother’s Day surprise at their family home. The film depicts Kelly’s glowing excitement as she unwraps a ‘Mom’ package, a sight that gave a rush of nostalgic warmth to their children, Ella, 23, and Benjamin, 12.
The trio shared a touching message in the caption: “Happy Mother’s Day Kelly. We miss and love you! Ben, Ella, and John.”
Fans swarmed around the family, giving their love and support on what was certainly a difficult day for them.
“I know you miss her, she was so beautiful,” and “Your heart and her heart will always be connected.”