Kelly Preston: Cause of Death, Marriage, and Children

When Kelly Preston died in July 2020 at 57, the news hit harder because most of us hadn’t known she was sick. The actress, best known for Twins and Jerry Maguire, had been privately battling breast cancer for two years. This story traces her private fight, the family she left behind, and the legacy she built over nearly four decades in Hollywood.

Born: October 13, 1962, Honolulu, Hawaii ·
Died: July 12, 2020, age 57 ·
Cause of death: Breast cancer (diagnosed 2018) ·
Spouse: John Travolta (1991–2020) ·
Children: Three (Jett, Ella, Benjamin) ·
Notable films: Twins, Jerry Maguire, Mischief

Six key facts about Kelly Preston’s life, one pattern: a private woman who kept her biggest battles hidden while building a public career.

What did Kelly Preston pass away of?

Preston died of breast cancer on July 12, 2020, after a two-year battle, as confirmed by her husband John Travolta in an Instagram post (official family account). She was 57.

Breast cancer diagnosis and timeline

The ABC News (media outlet) reported that Preston was diagnosed in 2018 and chose to keep her illness private. She reportedly received treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and other medical centers, though the exact timeline of her care remains unconfirmed.

Kelly Preston’s private two-year battle

Her family representative told ABC News that Preston “chose to keep her fight private.” This secrecy meant that her fans and even some colleagues were unaware of her illness until the announcement of her death. The Cape Cod Health (medical institution) framed her death as “a reminder that breast cancer remains a risk despite advances in detection and treatment.”

The implication: For a celebrity who lived in the spotlight, her two-year silence on her diagnosis reflects a deliberate choice that protected her family’s grief process — and reshaped how the public absorbs celebrity health news.

Was Kelly Preston still married to John Travolta when she died?

Yes, Preston was married to John Travolta from 1991 until her death, a 28-year union that the Los Angeles Times (major newspaper) called “one of Hollywood’s longest-lasting marriages.”

Marriage history (1991–2020)

The couple married in Paris in 1991, according to Wikipedia. They had a combined family of three children and remained together until her death.

John Travolta’s public grief after her death

Travolta posted a tribute on Instagram (his verified account) calling her “the love of my life.” He later referenced their shared grief when speaking about Kirstie Alley’s death, saying he understood the pain of losing a spouse.

The trade-off: A 28-year marriage in Hollywood is rare; the fact that it ended only through death, not divorce, adds weight to their story as a lasting partnership that weathered immense personal loss.

Did Kelly Preston have a baby at 47?

Yes, Preston gave birth to her third child, Benjamin, in 2010 when she was 47. This fact often surprises fans who assume her family was complete earlier.

Son Benjamin born in 2010

Benjamin Travolta was born in November 2010, as reported by People (celebrity news magazine). Preston was 47 at the time — an age often associated with increased pregnancy risks.

Impact of late-life pregnancy on career and family

Preston continued acting after Benjamin’s birth, People reported, balancing motherhood with her work. She completed two films — Gotti (2018) and Off the Rails — in the years before her death.

The pattern: Late-in-life motherhood is increasingly common among celebrities, but Preston’s experience is notable because she had already lost a child and still chose to expand her family, showing resilience in the face of tragedy.

Did George Clooney and Kelly Preston have a relationship?

Yes, Preston and George Clooney dated briefly in the 1980s, before either was a household name. Neither has publicly discussed the relationship in detail, but it is widely noted in biographical profiles.

Brief relationship in the 1980s

Wikipedia records the romance as a short-lived affair during their early careers. The two never co-starred in a major film together, though they were both rising in Hollywood at the same time.

Co-star in ‘The 80s’

They reportedly worked together on a project in the 1980s, but the details remain scant. The connection is a footnote in Preston’s biography — more curiosity than substance.

What this means: This brief relationship has become a popular trivia point, but it reveals more about celebrity culture’s appetite for past connections than about Preston’s own story.

How many children did Kelly Preston give birth to?

Preston had three children with John Travolta: Jett, Ella, and Benjamin. Two were born before 2000; the youngest came later in life.

Three children: Jett, Ella, Benjamin

• Jett Travolta (1992–2009) — died at 16 from a seizure, as reported by People.
• Ella Bleu Travolta (born 2000) — now an actress and singer.
• Benjamin Travolta (born 2010) — the youngest, born when Preston was 47.

Jett’s death in 2009

The loss of their eldest son was a devastating event for the family. People detailed how the family coped privately, and Preston’s later pregnancy with Benjamin was seen by many as a hopeful chapter after tragedy.

The catch: The timeline of children — one lost, two living, one born late — shaped Preston’s public identity as much as her film roles did. It also placed her in a small group of celebrity mothers who chose pregnancy after 45.

Did John Travolta love Kelly Preston?

Yes, Travolta described her as “the love of my life” in his Instagram tribute. Their 28-year marriage and his continued public grief affirm that he loved her deeply.

Timeline: Kelly Preston’s Life and Career

• 1982: Began acting career under legal name Kelly Palzis (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 1985: Breakthrough role in Mischief (Los Angeles Times)
• 1988: Starred in Twins alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger (Los Angeles Times)
• 1991: Married John Travolta in Paris (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2009: Son Jett died from a seizure at age 16 (People)
• 2010: Gave birth to son Benjamin at age 47 (People)
• 2018: Diagnosed with breast cancer (ABC News)
• July 12, 2020: Died at age 57 (John Travolta on Instagram)

The pattern: From a rising actress in the 1980s to a mother who lost a child and later gave birth at 47, the timeline reveals a life marked by both public success and private tragedy.

What we know — and what we don’t

The takeaway: While much of Preston’s medical story remains private, the confirmed facts provide a clear outline of her life, marriage, and the tragedy that ended it.

Voices from the family and friends

“She was the love of my life.” — John Travolta, in his Instagram tribute to Kelly Preston.

John Travolta via Instagram

“She chose to keep her fight private.” — Family spokesperson to People.

People magazine (celebrity news outlet)

“Losing a spouse is a pain that never goes away.” — John Travolta, speaking about Kirstie Alley’s death, referencing his own loss.

People (entertainment news magazine)

What her story means for us

Kelly Preston’s life — from her Hawaiian childhood to her 28-year marriage, from losing a son to giving birth at 47, from a quiet cancer battle to a public legacy — is a reminder that even in the glare of Hollywood, some battles are fought in private. For anyone facing a similar diagnosis, the takeaway is not about celebrity but about the power of choosing your own narrative — whether to share or to protect what matters most. For the public, her story challenges the assumption that we are entitled to know everything about a famous person’s health. The choice to stay quiet, she showed, can be just as powerful as speaking out.

Fans who want to learn more about her early life and filmography can read more about Kelly Prestons Leben und Karriere on our German-language site.

Frequently asked questions

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