Actress Kelly Preston, who appeared in the hit films Jerry Maguire and Twins, has died, her husband, John Travolta, said. She was 57.
Travolta paid tribute to his wife for her “courageous fight” against breast cancer after she succumbed to the ailment she had been battling for two years.
Preston, who leaves behind Travolta, 20-year-old daughter Ella and nine-year-old son Benjamin, had been fighting her illness privately and was last photographed in public at the premiere of the movie Gotti in 2018 .
In a post on Instagram, 66-year-old Travolta praised his wife for the courage she had shown in the face of a debilitating condition.
“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,” Travolta wrote.
Travolta also paid tribute to healthcare workers that had been taking care of Preston.
“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. 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,” he wrote.
His sentiments were echoed by daughter, Elle. “I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you,” she wrote on Instagram.
“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.”
Travolta and Preston had been married for 28 years. She had previously been married to actor Kevin Gage from 1985 to 1987 and had high profile romances with George Clooney and Charlie Sheen.
Credited for her impressive transition from teen movie roles to darker parts in Hollywood, Preston starred in 90’s classics like “Jerry Maguire” and “For Love of the Game.”
