It has been two years since John Travolta’s wife, Kelly Preston, died. Preston died after privately battling breast cancer.
However, Travolta has opened up about his healing journey and has started making moves toward embarking on new projects.
The love story of Kelly Preston and John Travolta began in 1989 when they two met at the screen test for their comedy sitcom “The Experts.”
Travolta has always explained their connection as love at first sight, but when talk show host Andy Cohen asked Preston on “Watch What Happens Live,” she said, “Kinda.” This was because Preston was still married to Kevin Cage, who she separated from after two years of marriage.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston in France 2011. | Source: Getty Images
After her divorce, the actress moved on with George Clooney, but the relationship ended in 1989. Preston was then engaged to Charly Sheen until 1990. When Preston was single, Travolta did not waste time making Preston his.
The couple fell in love quickly and got married on September 5, 1991, in a secret ceremony at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris. When Travolta and Preston married, the actress was two months pregnant with their son Jett.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston on the set of “Addicted to Love” in 1997. | Source: Getty Images
Travolta and Preston enjoyed a marriage of 28 years. The couple was still madly in love and happy to have had each other throughout the highs and lows of their union. In 2005 Travolta said the one thing that saved his marriage was counseling.
Travolta said his son had expressed his fear of death since the passing of his mother.
According to the actor, he and his wife, Preston, attended therapy every six months for twelve years. The couple had three children during their marriage Jett who sadly passed away when he was 16 years old; Ella Bleu, 22, and Benjamin, 11.
JOHN TRAVOLTA’S REACTION TO KELLY PRESTON’S DEATH
At the age of 57, Preston died from breast cancer after silently battling it for two years. Her husband, Travolta, announced her death in an emotional Instagram post.’
The actor pleaded to be given the privacy to mourn his wife and took a break from his career to focus on healing himself and his two children. Travolta wrote:
“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,” … 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,”
HOW DID JOHN TRAVOLTA’S KIDS TAKE THEIR MOTHER’S DEATH?
Travolta’s son Benjamin was only nine when his mother passed away. “The Pulp Fiction” actor shared his candid conversation with his 10-year-old son about death on the talk show “Heart to Hart” hosted by Kevin Hart.
Travolta said his son had expressed his fear of death since the passing of his mother. Benjamin confided in his father and said: “Because mom passed away, I’m afraid you’re going to.”
Travolta, who has also had to deal with the loss of his son, was candid about the unexpectedness of death. The actor said to his son: “I said, ‘Well, it’s a very different thing.’ And I went through the differences between my longevity and her limited life.”
The father of three continued the attempt to ease his son’s fears and candidly said: “I said, ‘Ben, you have always loved the truth, and I’m going to tell you the truth about life. Nobody knows when they are going to go or when they are going to stay.”
Travolta’s daughter Ella made a sweet and special tribute to her father on his first father’s day since the death of his wife. Ella has also followed in her parents’ footsteps and has already acted alongside icons like Morgen Freeman.
The actress captioned her father’s days post and wrote:
“Happy Father’s Day to the smartest, kindest, most generous man I know,” “Just by being yourself, you have taught me the most important lessons in life. Thank you for everything you do and for being my friend. I love you, Daddy.”
JOHN TRAVOLTA’S LIFE AFTER KELLY PRESTON’S DEATH
It has now been two years since actress Preston died and Travolta is letting go of their vacation home in Maine. It was reported that the actor had listed the 20-bedroom mansion he bought with his late wife as newlyweds in 1991.
The 10,830-square-foot oceanfront estate was where the couple shared went to relax and spend quality time with each other and their family. However, Travolta is trying to move forward and get back to leading his new everyday life.
In 2021 Travolta opened up about his journey of grief. In the beginning, the “Grease” star said he felt like he was sinking in everyone’s sadness, so he knew he had to find a place to uninterruptedly mourn and heal his pain.
Travolta emphasized that the journey of healing and “crying for someone’s” death is a personal experience that can affect individuals differently. The actor also shared words of advice for those who might be dealing with a heavy loss. Travolta said:
“The most important thing you can do to help someone else when they are grieving is to allow them to experience it and not complicate it with yours.’”
“The Pulp Fiction” star moved to his home in Florida. The house is a pilot’s dream, situated in the residential airpark, Jumbolair Aviation Estate. It sits on 9.5 acres, including two airplane parking pavilions.
The Florida home has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a pool, and an indoor cabana. Travolta and his late wife Preston purchased this home in 2001 and were one of the first Hollywood couples to own an airplane-friendly property.
The Golden Globe winner has started working on a new project that will mostly be filmed in Columbus, Georgia. The movie title has not yet been disclosed, but Travolta will work alongside director Randall Emmett. The actor’s schedule has filled up at a painful time of his wife’s second death anniversary on July 12.
