John Travolta shares heartbreaking tribute after wife Kelly Preston passes away

john travolta wife kelly preston dies secret breast cancer battle
(Image credit: Getty)

John Travolta has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his wife Kelly Preston as he confirmed that she has passed away.

The Grease actor took to his Instagram page to confirm that his wife of 29 years has tragically passed away after a secret battle with breast cancer.

Sharing an emotional tribute with his 2.6million followers, the Pulp Fiction star wrote alongside a lovely photo of his late wife, ‘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.

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.

A photo posted by on

‘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. All my love, JT’.

The couple’s 20-year-old daughter Ella also took to her own Instagram page with a heartfelt tribute to her late mother, reading, ‘I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you.

A photo posted by on

‘Anyone who is lucky enough to have known you or to have ever been in your presence will agree that you have a glow and a light that never ceases to shine and that makes anyone around you feel instantly happy. Thank you for being there for me no matter what.

‘Thank you for your love. Thank you for your help and thank you for making this world a better place. You have made life so beautiful and I know you will continue to do so always. I love you so much mama.❤️’.

Kelly, who has starred in a string of movies herself, including Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Twins and Jerry Maguire with Tom Cruise, was mum to Ella as well as her nine-year-old brother Benjamin, both of whom the late actress shared with husband John.

john travolta wife kelly preston dies secret breast cancer battle

(Image credit: Tim Boyles)

The couple were also parents to oldest son Jett, who tragically passed away back in 2009 at the age of 16 when he suffered a seizure on a family holiday.

Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time ❤️

Aleesha Badkar
Digital Beauty Editor, woman&home

Aleesha is Digital Beauty Editor at woman&home, where she gets to share her expertise into all the best techniques, sharpest tools and newest products—with a particular savvy in skincare and fragrance.

Previously, she was Deputy Editor and Beauty & Fashion Editor for My Imperfect Life, where she headed up the beauty, fashion and eCommerce pages. In the past, she has worked as Shopping Writer at woman&home, gained an AOP awards nomination after working on their news team, contributed to Women's Health, Stylist and Goodto and earned an MA in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London.