John Travolta had an epic romance with Kelly Preston while she lived, and that love led to the birth of a “miracle baby” the strong woman risked her life to bring to the world — she had no fear even though the doctors made sure she knew the risks.
John Travolta was married to Kelly Preston for about 29 years. Together, the two lovebirds experienced many highs and endured many lows. Yet, they overcame tragedy, and he remained steadfastly by her side until she succumbed to breast cancer in July 2020.
The two first met when Travolta, with his two dogs, walked into the room where she was waiting to do her screen test for a spy movie called “The Experts.” It was an instant attraction for Preston even though she had been married to “Space Camp” co-star Kevin Gage at the time.
Travolta had also felt the same instant chemistry with Preston, and when he once admitted that he thought she was a gorgeous woman, they had to dance together, an activity they loved to do even when they got older and had kids.
Preston’s relationship with Gage prevented anything major from happening when they met, even though she later admitted:
The two got exposed to each other while working on the set of “The Experts.” After they confirmed their admiration for one another, they became close friends and, years later, eventually eloped to Paris, where they had their wedding because the plans they had in New York became unstable.
Of course, they later had to return to the States and make it official, but only after they learned that there were residency requirements to marry in France.
The second wedding ceremony took place in Florida on September 12, 1991, a couple of years after she left Gage.
In this handout from Rogers and Cowan, Jett Travolta is seen with his father, actor John Travolta in this picture. | Source: Getty Images
After their marriage ended, Preston was romantically linked with some other famous names back then, including George Clooney and Charlie Sheen, who was her fiancee for a brief period.
It took a few years, but eventually, Preston realized that it was Travolta her heart truly yearned for. When they connected on that level, that was it.
The talented actor popped the big question in Gstaad, Switzerland, on New Year’s Eve in 1990, and when she said yes, he slipped a six-carat diamond ring on her finger.
It was just one of the spectacular things about their union, besides the traditional and beautiful wedding dress she wore and Travolta’s devilish good looks in a suit.
A Tragic Loss
There was little doubt in Travolta and Preston’s minds that they were meant for each other, so the two were already trying to get pregnant even before they got married. They gave birth to their first son, Jett, on April 13, 1992, on a night they were house guests of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore.
Right after birth, Jett was diagnosed with Autism — a condition she believes may have been caused by mistakes on her part. For instance, she once admitted that she had to endure food poisoning and even blamed her hard and fast labor.
The boy was a fighter, and at some point, Preston admitted that he had been shedding his autistic skin. However, one day, at the age of 16, the boy suffered a seizure and hit his head in the bathroom on his way down. It led to his demise, and he had been at their vacation home in the Bahamas.
Only her friends and family had known that she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time in an attempt to defeat the virus.
Preston revealed the medical conditions that accounted for his death when she spoke about it. She said:
“He was autistic, he had seizures, and when he was very young, he had Kawasaki syndrome.”