John Travolta's Late Wife Would Have Just Celebrated 60th Birthday – He Still Misses His 'Dance Partner'
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Kelly Preston and John Travolta were married for nearly three decades and were one of Hollywood's most inspiring couples
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The lovebirds loved to dance together, and it became a family affair.
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Sadly, the actress passed away after a two-year battle with breast cancer.
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After Preston's demise, her daughter, Ella, became Travolta's dance partner.
Hollywood stars John Travolta and Kelly Preston enjoyed an incredible romance that spanned nearly three decades. The pair leaned on each other as they fought through life's challenges.
The lovebirds were the perfect description of a power couple, and their romance inspired many fans. But sadly, everything ended in 2020 when the actress and model passed away.
John Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston, pose on May 15, 2018, during a photocall for the film "Gotti" at the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. | Source: Getty Images
In the years following Preston's demise, Travolta has kept his late wife's memories alive and has always celebrated her. Recently, the "Saturday Night Fever" actor honored Preston again. On what would have been the actress's 60th birthday, Travolta took to Instagram to mark the occasion.
He shared a throwback photo of him and his late wife at an event. In the snapshot, the Oscar-nominated actor was clad in a black suit and shirt.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston pose at the after party for the premiere of Lions Gates' "Eulogy" at the Palomino Restaurant on October 13, 2004, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
On the other hand, Preston opted for a plain black dress, a perfect contrast to her blonde hair. The couple embraced each other and smiled heartily for the camera. Travolta captioned the picture:
"Happy Birthday to my favorite dance partner! We love you and miss you too, Kelly."
Shortly after the post hit Instagram, fans, friends, and celebrities trooped to the comments section to celebrate Preston. Some netizens wished the late model a happy birthday, while others offered encouraging words to Travolta.
Kelly Preston and John Travolta during G'Day LA: Australia Week 2006 - Penfolds Icon Gala Dinner - Arrivals in Los Angeles, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images
They wished the actor would stay strong as Preston watched over him and his family. Travolta's late wife will always be remembered as a fantastic spouse, mother, movie star, and dancer.
Travolta and Preston Loved to Dance
Travolta and Preston shared many things, one of which was their love for dance. The couple's shared love for dance was one of the things that connected them when they first crossed paths at a screen test for "The Experts."
In the years following their son's demise, Travolta and Preston made sure to pay tribute to Jett via social media posts.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston at Deaville film festival in Deauville, France on September 08, 1991. | Source: Getty Images
During the movie, the pair's characters performed a sexy dance routine that was electrifying. After doing a dance scene together, Travolta and Preston eventually became close, and the rest became history.
They tied the knot in 1991, and in the following years, dancing became a part of the couple's marriage. The entertainment icons enjoyed each other's company and could not help moving their bodies whenever they were around each other.
Kelly Preston and John Travolta attend the New York Premiere of "Gotti" at SVA Theater on June 14, 2018, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
During an interview with "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen," the late model revealed that she and her husband danced all the time.
Preston said dancing with her man was one of the best things about marrying Travolta. She went on to confess that dancing was also a family affair. In her words:
"The kids dance with us, we dance at the house, we go out dancing. I love it."
John Travolta and Kelly Preston are seen on the set of "Despierta America" at Univision Studios to promote the film "GOTTI" on June 8, 2018, in Miami, Florida. | Source: Getty Images
Four years before Preston's chat with Andy Cohen, the couple also insinuated that they loved being each other's dance partners. During a 2014 interview with Vanity Fair, an interviewer asked Travolta who he would love to dance with other than his wife.
At first, the actor noted that he was not interested in moving his body with anyone else but his wife. Then, he said Singer Bono was his likely choice, besides his wife.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston pose for a portrait at amfAR's 21st Cinema Against AIDS Gala Presented By WORLDVIEW, BOLD FILMS, And BVLGARI at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 22, 2014, in Cap d'Antibes, France. | Source: Getty Images
Surprisingly, Preston shared the same sentiment, noting that Travolta was her first pick, but it would be Bono if she had to dance with anyone else.
After the Vanity Fair interview, the couple continued dancing for a few more years until Preston died on July 12, 2020, after a two-year battle with breast cancer. A devastated Travolta announced the tragic news via an Instagram post. He wrote:
"It is with a 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."
John Travolta and actress Kelly Preston attend the Los Angeles premiere of the Lion's Gate film "The Punisher" at the ArcLight Cinerama Dome on April 12, 2004, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Next, Travolta apologized to his fans, noting that he was taking time off to be there for his grieving children. Indeed, the actor stepped up for his kids, and his fatherly love toward them continued in the years following Preston's demise.
During an August 2021 episode of "Hart to Heart," Travolta confessed that his son shared his fears of losing his father after Preston died. However, the actor explained to his son that death was inevitable, but he could do his best at trying to live as long as he could.
Who Are Travolta and Preston's Children?
Travolta and Preston shared three children, Jett, Ella, and Benjamin. They welcomed their oldest, Jett, on April 13, 1992. Throughout his lifetime, the couple's first child struggled with health challenges like autism, seizures, and Kawasaki Syndrome.
John Travolta, Kelly Preston, and their children Ella Bleu Travolta and Benjamin Travolta pose as they arrive on May 15, 2018, for the screening of the film "Solo: A Star Wars Story" at the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. | Source: Getty Images
Sadly, after struggling for 16 years, Jett eventually died in 2009. Following their son's demise, Travolta and Preston made sure to pay tribute to Jett via social media posts.
The lovebirds' second son, Benjamin, was born on November 23, 2010. As the son of A-list movie stars, Benjamin has been privileged to appear on the red carpet a few times. In May 2018, Benjamin followed his parents to the "Solo: A Star Wars Story" premiere.
Kelly Preston gets a visit from husband John Travolta and son Jett while filming the 1997 motion picture "Addicted to Love." | Source: Getty Images
Besides being spotted alongside his parents, the young lad is also a sports enthusiast. Travolta says his son enjoys gymnastics and tennis, along with other things like fishing and video games.
Meanwhile, his older sister, Ella, has no interest in sports but loves acting. Born on April 3, 2000, Ella first appeared on the screen when she was nine. She featured with Robin Williams in "Old Dogs."
Since first appearing on TV in 2009, Ella has featured in other productions such as "The Poison Rose'' and the live-action reimagining of "Alice In Wonderland." Travolta says he is very proud of his daughter and will continue to support her career path.
Kelly Preston, Ella Bleu Travolta, and John Travolta arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of "Old Dogs" held at the El Capitan Theatre on November 9, 2009, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Besides being a rising actress, Ella, a spitting image of her mother, is also her dad's dance partner. Over one month after Preston passed away, Ella and Travolta paid tribute to the late actress by doing a special dance in her memory and sharing it on social media.
It was beautiful to watch; fans commended the father and daughter for the great moves. Honoring Preston will always be Ella and Travolta's desire. May the actress's soul continue to rest in peace.