Kelly Preston’s radiant smile and memorable roles in films like Twins and Jerry Maguire masked a private two-year battle with breast cancer that ended with her death on July 12, 2020, at age 57.
Cause of death: Breast cancer ·
Age at death: 57 ·
Spouse: John Travolta (m. 1991–2020) ·
Children: 3 (Jett, Ella, Benjamin) ·
Number of film and TV appearances: Over 60
Quick snapshot
- Died of breast cancer on July 12, 2020 (People (entertainment news magazine))
- Married to John Travolta from 1991 until her death (PBS NewsHour / AP (public broadcasting service))
- Mother of three children: Jett, Ella, Benjamin (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Exact duration of her relationship with George Clooney (reported as about 2 years, but not independently confirmed) (IMDb (film database))
- Whether John Travolta has dated anyone since her death (no public evidence) (Cape Cod Health News (health publication))
- Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 (Pink Lotus Power Up (breast cancer education platform))
- Died two years later in July 2020 (Los Angeles Times (major daily newspaper))
- She kept her diagnosis private (Geneastar (genealogy database))
- John Travolta continues to honor her memory on social media (People (entertainment news magazine))
- Her legacy as an actress and philanthropist remains intact (PBS NewsHour / AP (public broadcasting service))
Six key facts, one pattern: Kelly Preston’s life was defined by both public success and private resilience.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kelly Preston (born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)) |
| Birth Date | October 13, 1962 (IMDb (film database)) |
| Death Date | July 12, 2020 (People (entertainment news magazine)) |
| Spouse | John Travolta (m. 1991–2020) (PBS NewsHour / AP (public broadcasting service)) |
| Children | Jett (d. 2009), Ella, Benjamin (Cape Cod Health News (health publication)) |
| Notable Films | Twins, Jerry Maguire, Sky High, The Cat in the Hat (Pink Lotus Power Up (breast cancer education platform)) |
What did Kelly Preston pass away of?
Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
Kelly Preston died from breast cancer, as confirmed by her family. John Travolta announced on social media that she had fought a two-year battle with the disease (Los Angeles Times (major daily newspaper)). A family representative told Geneastar (genealogy database) she passed away on the morning of July 12, 2020. The news came as a shock to many because she had chosen to keep her diagnosis private.
Her two-year battle with cancer
- She was diagnosed in 2018, according to Travolta’s post.
- Reports from medical experts note that a short timeline from diagnosis to death can be consistent with aggressive breast cancer biology.
- Medical experts also stated that her later-age pregnancy did not cause her breast cancer.
Did Kelly Preston have a baby at 47?
Her third child Benjamin
Yes, Kelly Preston gave birth to her son Benjamin Travolta in 2010 at age 47. Benjamin was her third child with John Travolta. He was 9 years old when she died in 2020.
Pregnancy at age 47
The couple already had daughter Ella (born in 2000) and son Jett (born in 2000 as well, died in 2009). Benjamin’s birth at 47 was widely reported as a late-in-life pregnancy, but Preston never publicly discussed the circumstances.
Preston’s late-age pregnancy drew media attention and later prompted questions about whether it was linked to her cancer. Medical experts say no causal link exists.
Was Kelly Preston still married to John Travolta when she died?
Marriage to John Travolta
Yes, Kelly Preston was still married to John Travolta at the time of her death. They had been married since 1991 — 28 years together. Their marriage was considered one of Hollywood’s most enduring.
Their relationship timeline
- Married in 1991 after meeting on the set of The Experts in 1989.
- The couple had three children together.
- They worked together on at least two films, including The Experts and Gotti.
Travolta remained a devoted husband. In his Instagram tribute, he called her “my partner, my best friend, and my everything”.
How long did George Clooney date Kelly Preston?
Kelly Preston’s relationship with George Clooney
Kelly Preston reportedly dated George Clooney in the mid-1980s, early in both of their careers. The exact duration is not officially documented, but most accounts say the relationship lasted about two years.
Early romance in the 1980s
- They lived together for a time in Los Angeles.
- Neither Clooney nor Preston publicly discussed the relationship in detail.
The implication: This is one of the lesser-known chapters of Preston’s life, often raised by fans curious about her personal history before Travolta.
Has John Travolta dated anyone since Kelly Preston died?
John Travolta’s life after Kelly’s death
As of early 2025, John Travolta has not publicly confirmed any new romantic relationship. He has focused on his career and raising his two younger children, Ella and Benjamin.
Rumors and privacy
- No credible reports have placed him with a partner.
- Travolta has occasionally posted tributes to Preston on social media, emphasizing that she remains “his everything”.
The catch: It’s possible Travolta is simply keeping his private life out of the public eye. For now, there is no evidence of dating.
Timeline
- : Born in Honolulu, Hawaii
- : Breakthrough role in Mischief
- : Marries John Travolta
- : Birth of son Jett
- : Jett dies at age 16
- : Birth of son Benjamin at age 47
- : Diagnosed with breast cancer
- : Dies at age 57
The pattern: Kelly Preston’s timeline shows a life of public success and private resilience, culminating in her death from breast cancer in 2020.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- She died of breast cancer on July 12, 2020.
- She was married to John Travolta at the time of her death.
- She had three children: Jett, Ella, and Benjamin.
- She had a relationship with George Clooney in the 1980s.
What’s less clear
- The exact duration of the Clooney-Preston relationship (reported as about 2 years, but not officially confirmed).
- Whether John Travolta has dated since her death (no public evidence).
The pattern: The confirmed facts of Kelly Preston’s life are well-documented, but the unclear aspects highlight the privacy she and her family maintained.
In their own words: tributes to Kelly Preston
“She was a special gift. Thank you for being my partner, my best friend, and my everything.”
— John Travolta, Instagram tribute, quoted by Los Angeles Times (major daily newspaper)
“The actress – wife of John Travolta and mother of three – lived with breast cancer for two years before she died.”
— People (entertainment news magazine)
For John Travolta and the Travolta family, the loss is profound. But the public memory of Kelly Preston’s warmth and talent ensures her legacy endures. For fans wanting to remember her contributions, revisiting Jerry Maguire or Twins is a good place to start.
people.com, people.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, imdb.com, latimes.com, vaxjokanalen.se
Frequently asked questions
What was Kelly Preston’s real name?
Her birth name was Kelly Kamalelehua Smith.
Where was Kelly Preston born?
She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on October 13, 1962.
What was Kelly Preston’s first movie?
Her first credited film role was in Mischief (1985).
How many movies did Kelly Preston appear in?
She appeared in over 60 film and television roles.
Did Kelly Preston win any awards?
She did not win major awards, but she received nominations for her performances.
When did Kelly Preston marry John Travolta?
They married on September 12, 1991.
What is Kelly Preston’s net worth?
Her net worth was estimated at around $6 million at the time of her death.
How did Kelly Preston meet John Travolta?
They met on the set of the film The Experts in 1989.
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.