Kelly Preston's Death Left Her Children Half-Orphaned: Her Daughter Is Now 23 and the Spitting Image of Her Mother

• Kelly Preston's death in July 2020 left her husband and their two children heartbroken.
• In the wake of her untimely passing, her children are navigating life with half of their parental anchor.
• Her daughter, who is now 23, is a striking reflection of her late mother's essence.

Kelly Preston, an accomplished American actress and the beloved wife of Hollywood legend John Travolta, passed away on July 12, 2020, after a two-year battle with breast cancer.

She was 57 years old. Her death left her husband and their two children, Ella and Benjamin, heartbroken and the kids half-orphaned.

Ella, who is now 23, is the spitting image of her late mother, who was a talented actress and a beauty icon.

Preston began her acting career in 1980, appearing in several television shows. She made her film debut in 1983 but she rose to fame in 1985 with her first major movie role in "Mischief," a teen comedy set in the 1950s.

Preston continued her acting career with notable roles in movies like "For Love of the Game," "Jerry Maguire," "Twins," and "SpaceCamp." Additionally, she made appearances in music videos.

Her last cinematic performance occurred in the 2018 film "Gotti," where she portrayed Victoria Gotti, the wife of Mafia boss John Gotti. Notably, John Gotti's character was depicted on screen by her husband, Travolta.

Preston's life extended beyond her successful acting career; she was also a devoted wife and mother. She and Travolta exchanged vows in 1991, with Preston carrying the joyous news of her pregnancy with their firstborn son, Jett.

Later, the couple held a second wedding ceremony on U.S. soil in Daytona Beach, Florida. The family expanded with the arrival of their daughter, Ella, on April 3, 2000, and their son, Benjamin, born on November 23, 2010.

Tragically, their eldest son, Jett, passed away at the age of 16 in January 2009. His untimely death occurred after he experienced a seizure during a family vacation in the Bahamas.

Preston and Travolta shared a fairy tale romance that spanned almost 29 years. Their love story began on the set of the 1989 film "The Experts," where they experienced love at first sight.

Throughout their journey, they steadfastly supported each other's careers, bonded over a shared passion for aviation, and nurtured their family with love and care.

Their enduring commitment was evident in the way they celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary on their Instagram pages in September 2019, just months before Preston's untimely passing.

In 2018, Preston received a diagnosis of breast cancer but chose to keep her battle private. Supported by her closest family and friends, she underwent medical treatment in a courageous fight against the disease.

Tragically, on July 12, 2020, Preston passed away at her home in Florida. Travolta took to Instagram to share the sad news in a heartfelt tribute.

He expressed the heaviness of his heart as he revealed that Preston had lost her two-year battle with breast cancer.

Acknowledging her courageous fight and the support they received, he extended gratitude to the medical professionals and everyone who stood by them. Travolta emphasized that his wife's love and life would always be remembered.

The heartbreaking announcement read, "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."

In the years following Preston's passing, Travolta and his children have been coping with the loss of the family matriarch, who was described by the family rep as "a bright, beautiful, and loving soul who cared deeply about others and who brought life to everything she touched."

They have been sharing their grief and love openly on social media, honoring Preston's memory and celebrating her life. On Mother's Day, Travolta offered a touching tribute by sharing a video on Instagram.

The clip featured Preston joyfully unwrapping a box labeled "Mom" during a surprise celebration at their family home.

The radiant joy captured in the video brought a rush of nostalgic warmth to the trio, who shared a heartfelt message in the caption: "Happy Mother's Day Kelly. We miss you and love you! Love, Ben, Ella, and John."

On what would have been Preston's 60th birthday in October 2020, Travolta and Ella posted sweet tributes on Instagram. Her daughter posted a touching video on Instagram.

The emotional montage featured photos capturing moments of Ella's childhood with Preston, set to the poignant song "Can't Help Falling in Love."

Over the images in the slideshow, Ella wrote, "Happy Birthday, Mamma🤍," and accompanied the video with a simple yet powerful caption: "We love you❤️."

In parallel, Travolta also honored his late wife on her birthday. He shared a throwback photo on Instagram, capturing a moment of shared happiness as they smiled for cameras at an event, accompanied by a sweet embrace.

Travolta expressed his sentiments in the caption: "Happy birthday to my favorite dance partner!" He further conveyed, "We love you and miss you Kelly," signifying the unending love and the void left by Preston's absence.

Ella, who is now 23, is carving her own path in the entertainment industry, seamlessly blending her talents in acting and music and even making waves in the fashion world.

Her journey mirrors her parents' illustrious careers. She seems to have inherited the performing bug from her celebrated parents. Travolta, a proud father, has consistently beamed about Ella's accomplishments.

Before stepping into leading roles like "Get Lost," a modern take on "Alice in Wonderland," Ella had roles in her father's films, such as "Old Dogs" and "The Poison Rose."

She has also ventured into the music industry. Releasing her debut single, "Dizzy," in January, she celebrated the occasion with a heartwarming video featuring her supportive father.

Ella's foray into the music industry in 2022 generated excitement among fans. Her single release showcased not only her musical talent but also drew attention to her striking resemblance to her mother, captivating audiences.

Recently, Ella added another feather to her cap by making her debut at New York Fashion Week. Walking the runway for the Karl Lagerfeld capsule collection in September, she continued to solidify her position as a multi-talented individual.

Drawing inspiration from her mother's iconic "Got Milk?" ad nearly two decades ago, Ella recently embraced a new venture, starring in Silk Nextmilk's innovative plant-based 'stache campaign.

In an interview with Parade.com, she expressed awe at her mother's campaign, unaware until recently, and deemed it an inspiration. Ella appreciated the campaign's fresh take, making plant-based choices accessible in everyday life.

In a 2015 interview, Ella humorously declared her parents as perfect, with Travolta reciprocating the sentiment.

The family radiated love and admiration for each other, with Travolta acknowledging Preston's role in creating a positive environment, likening her to Martha Stewart.

When Preston passed away, Ella paid a moving tribute on Instagram. She described her mother as courageous, strong, beautiful, and loving, with a radiant glow that brought happiness to those around her. Ella expressed gratitude for Preston's unwavering support, thanking her for being there in every circumstance.

As Ella navigates her own unique path, she carries the legacy of her parents while adding her own flair to the entertainment world, making her own mark as a versatile and accomplished artist.