Olivia Newton-John mourns loss of 'radiant' Kelly Preston, says her ‘heart breaks’ for John Travolta and kids
Olivia Newton-John has remembered her ‘Grease’ co-star John Travolta’s actress wife, who died on Sunday, July 12. Kelly Preston died at the age of 57 after a private battle with breast cancer for two years. She is survived by her 66-year-old husband and two kids, 20-year-old Ella and Benjamin, 9.
Taking to Instagram, Olivia expressed her grief over the death of Preston and wrote: “@therealkellypreston was a radiant, warm and gentle spirit - a loving, devoted wife, mother, and sweet friend. My heart breaks for John, Ella, and Ben. No words can express my sorrow for her family. Kelly’s light shines on in her beautiful children.” Along with the message, she also posted a picture of herself with the ‘Twins’ actress.
In another social media post, the 71-year-old remembered Preston’s charity work as she shared an old photo with ‘The Cat in the Hat’ star launching a children’s safety initiative. “I was proud to launch the CHEC “Not Under My Roof” initiative with @therealkellypreston 20 years ago. She was passionate about safety for children from environmental toxins, and we made this video for the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC) which is now HealthyChild.org. Thanks to Kelly’s passion to protect children’s health - from her own personal experience - she helped catapult the children’s environmental health campaign,” the caption read.
Olivia herself has struggled with cancer three times, including the time in 2018 when she got to know that her stage 4 breast cancer has infected her back with a tumor at the base of her spine. However, in February 2020, the ‘You're The One That I Want’ singer revealed that her health was “fantastic”.
The heartfelt message from Olivia came after Travolta confirmed the death of his wife on Instagram. “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 with the love and support of so many,” he wrote while sharing a picture 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.”
Travolta added: “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. All my love, JT.”
A family representative told PEOPLE that Preston chose to keep her cancer fight “private”. The representative added: “She had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends. She was a bright, beautiful, and loving soul who cared deeply about others and who brought life to everything she touched. Her family asks for your understanding of their need for privacy at this time."