John Travolta Is a Single Dad Devoting Life to 2 Kids Now — He Learned to Move On after Losing Wife & Son

John Travolta is a proud and loving father to his children. Today he is 69, and he finds reasons to smile and be happy, despite the painful tragedies and losses he endured on his difficult path.

Movie actor, John Travolta, met the mother of his kids, actress Kelly Preston, in 1989 at a screen test for the film comedy, "The Experts." She was married to actor Kevin Gage at the time.

Travolta has often stated that it was love at first sight for him, while Preston once revealed that it was moderately love at a glimpse for her.

Nonetheless, the pair wed on September 5, 1991, at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris. Preston was two months pregnant with the couple's first child, Jett, at the time.

The duo later tied the knot again in the United States in Daytona Beach, Florida. They became first-time parents when their son Jett arrived in April 1992. Their second child, daughter Ella, was born eight years later in April 2000.

The couple was already discussing starting a family even before they were married. Preston revealed during an interview after their engagement, "We plan to have some babies. We're practicing right now. This could be barefoot and pregnant for the next ten years."

At the time, even the duo's loved ones could tell they were on cloud nine being in love, including Travolta's sister-in-law, Wendy Travolta, who stated:

"I've never seen Johnny happier. I guess it's timing. John and Kelly are both ready to settle down."

Indeed, they were, as Travolta swept Preston off her feet on New Year's Eve in 1991 when he proposed inside the Palace Hotel restaurant in Gstaad, Switzerland—with a six-carat diamond ring. "Look Who's Talking" producer Jonathan Krane revealed the bride-to-be "screamed" when Travolta asked her to marry him.

Sadly, several years after settling down, the two suffered the loss of their 16-year-old son, Jett, who tragically passed away in January 2009 while on a family vacation in the Bahamas.

According to the family lawyer, Michael Ossi, the teenager suffered a seizure at the family's vacation home. Police spokeswoman Loretta Mackey also revealed the young boy hit his head in a bathtub and was pronounced deceased at Rand Memorial Hospital. Jett was discovered unconscious in the bathroom by a caretaker.

His mom revealed in 2003 that he became incredibly sick when he was two years old but that "it seemed like flu symptoms." The then-toddler was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease shortly after.

The condition is said to be capable of causing inflammation of the arteries but can be treated. However, it can lead to long-lasting heart damage in some cases. Preston also disclosed her son had asthma and household cleaners such as pesticides and fertilizers were the cause.

Travolta had admitted he became overly protective of Jett when he was born: "I can't imagine what life would be like without Jett. After he was born and cleaned up, I held him for hours while Kelly slept. When they came to take him away for various tests, I said, 'No, you can't see him today. You'll have to do it another day.' I went a little nutsy."

In February 2014, Travolta candidly talked about the death of his son and described the ordeal as "the worst thing" ever. The doting dad admitted he never thought he would survive the loss as he lost interest in life.

He revealed that he "didn't want to wake up" after Jett's death, adding his faith helped him get back to reality. The New Jersey native's church supported him in the recovery process and was consistent for "two solid years" each week. It implemented different techniques to assist Travolta in getting through the tough time.

The Couple's "Miracle" Baby

Two years after Jett's passing, Preston fell pregnant again at age 48. She and Travolta welcomed their youngest child, son Benjamin, in November 2010 and described him as a "miracle."

The two had tried to have another child for three years to no avail until they discovered they were expecting and the news left them "completely blown away!" added the delighted mom in January 2011.

Since the Hawaiian native was already at a late stage in her life when she and her spouse decided to try for a new addition to the family, she admitted to being oblivious to the dangers of conceiving in her late forties:

"I didn't (consider the risks). I just considered that it was difficult. I never thought that would be me at all. So, I think we're just happy that we're so fortunate."

Benjamin's birth brought joy into the family; his proud father raved after his arrival. "He's given the house a renewed spirit and purpose," said Travolta.

He sang his then-new-born lullabies, including "A Bushel and a Peck" from the musical "Guys and Dolls" and read him "Good Night, Gorilla."

The best moment for the parents regarding their infant child was his first smile. Preston said Benjamin's birth provided "healing" for her family and noted it was "a nice gift." She and her loved ones received comforting letters from fans worldwide wishing them "happiness."

They did seem happy on their social media. When the family of four celebrated Easter in April 2020, Travolta posted a video of his wife and kids wishing fans around the world a "Happy Easter."

They did the same thing when marking New Year's earlier that year in January 2020. "Happy New Year, everyone!" the Travolta family said at once on an Instagram clip.

Moreover, Preston and Travolta celebrated 28 years of marital bliss in September 2019. The loving husband marked the special occasion on Instagram with a picture of the lovebirds widely smiling at dinner. "Happy anniversary to my wonderful wife @therealkellypreston," the "Pulp Fiction" star wrote.

The couple showed just how happy they were when Travolta shared a "fangirl moment" his wife had on camera. He posted a photo of him and Preston laughing while posing side-by-side and another one of the duo leaning into each other while slightly beaming.

The pair also had fun with their children when they visited The Polar Express ice sculpture exhibit in Florida in December 2019. Preston shared images from the event and one clip of the family "sledding" on ice. The doting mom penned they had a blast and wished her Instagram followers "happy holidays!!" The family was cheerful for a long time until 2020.

Another Death in the Family

On July 13, 2020, Travolta announced the tragic death of his beloved wife, Preston, on social media. He revealed that she had secretly been battling cancer:

"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."

In the lengthy post, Travolta thanked the medical staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center, who assisted his spouse on the arduous journey, and expressed gratitude to those who were there for her during the challenging time.

"Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered," he also stated, adding he would be scarce from social media for some time to grieve with his children.

Months later, Travolta paid tribute to Preston on Instagram by wishing her a happy birthday. To commemorate the day, he posted a throwback photo of his parents on their wedding day, including one from his wedding with his spouse.

"Happy Birthday, hon! I found this photo of my mom and dad's wedding. It was nice to see ours alongside theirs. All my love, John," he captioned the post.

Travolta still loves and longs for the "Jerry Maguire" star. He marked her birthday again on October 2021, alongside a picture of her waving, writing, "Happy Birthday Kelly. We miss and love you very much."

Preston was 57 when she died, and in the wake of her death, her only daughter Ella penned an emotional tribute, stating she was one of a kind:

"I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful, and loving as you. 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 everyone around you feel instantly happy."

The young actress thanked her mom for always supporting her, loving her, helping her, and "making this world a better place." Ella added:

"You have made life so beautiful, and I know you will continue to do so always. I love you so much, mama."

Ella also paid a touching homage to her devoted father in February 2022 on his 68th birthday. She posted a throwback of her dad holding her when she was little and wrote that he is her idol and bosom buddy:

"Happy Birthday to my role model, my best friend, the person who has taught me one of the most valuable lessons in life, kindness. I love you with all my heart, Daddy."

Meanwhile, Travolta also yearned for his late eldest child and expressed this on Instagram on what would have been Jett's 30th birthday. The father of three posted a black and white picture of him and his young son smiling and penned:

"My dearest Jetty, I miss you more than words can say. I think about you every day. Happy Birthday. Love, your Dad."

In April 2021, Travolta revealed what he learned from the passing of his wife: "I learned that crying to someone, living the mourning, is something personal."

The film star also explained that when someone mourns, it is an "individual" process they must go through alone to find healing. Travolta advised:

"The most important thing you can do to help another when they are in mourning is to allow them to live it and not complicate it with yours."

He further explained that interrupting someone else's grieving period takes away their need to mourn those they lost. "Even though it's great to have company, sometimes it becomes that you are helping them instead of getting to work to overcome the feeling of loss and mourning," the star added.

The "Welcome Back" alum revealed he experienced such when he lost his spouse of 29 years. Multiple people approached him, which overwhelmed him as he became immersed in their sadness and was left helpless. Travolta recommended isolation for those going through grief to avoid such instances.

He also discussed how he told his son Benjamin about Preston's passing, who then expressed concern that because his mother had died, he feared his father would soon follow suit.

Travolta explained to his child that such circumstances are different and referenced the death of Benjamin's older brother Jett who died at a young age, and "your mother left at 57, and that was too young." He leveled with his lastborn and told him that people do not know when they will die and live life as best as they can.

On the bright side, he fondly talked about doing projects with his daughter. The duo danced in a Super Bowl announcement, replicating Travolta's "Grease" dance moves. When asked how much that experience meant to him, he proudly said:

"It was magical because there is no one in the world with whom I would like to dance more than with my daughter Ella. It worked on so many levels!"

He revealed people enjoyed being entertained by the video, that he successfully introduced his child to the showbiz world to showcase "her talent and beauty," and that "it turned into a beautiful tribute to her mother."

Travolta further disclosed that he and his late wife danced together, which meant a lot to them. When asked what he looked forward to in the future, the proud father said:

"I will ensure the future of my children, help them with what they want to do with their lives. It's what I do with Ella now with her movies and teaching her how to work in the profession. Ben is barely ten years old. I want to help you evolve; you have your whole life ahead of you."

He gushed about fatherhood on Father's Day in June 2022 and penned on Instagram: "It's [a] privilege to be a father. I love you, my babies."

As for him, he expressed the desire to film "more musical projects, good dramas, and good comedies." In the meantime, the A-lister would love to "experience dance, music, and people."

The leading Hollywood man also enjoys one of his luxurious hobbies: flying his planes parked in his multi-million dollar abode in Florida. The mansion, which Travolta and Preston purchased for $3.5 million in 2001, sits on 550 acres of land in a gated community estate of Jumbo Lair Airport.

The main runway is reportedly 7550 feet long and is considered one of the largest in the country. It can accommodate big airplanes such as the Boeing 737.

Travolta's spouse revealed in 2004 that it had always been "his dream" to have planes in the front yard. He has owned many of them, including the Boeing 707 138b and the Bombardier Challenger 601.