John Travolta and Late Kelly Preston Raised 3 Incredible Kids: Meet Ella, Ben and Late Son Jett

John Travolta and his late wife, Kelly Preston, shared some amazing memories during their 29-year marriage. The Gotti alums built a beautiful life together while raising their three kids, Ella, Benjamin and late son Jett.

The longtime lovebirds tied the knot in September 1991 and had their first child, Jett, in April 1992. Eight years passed and the pair welcomed another baby, daughter Ella, in April 2000. Sadly, nearly a decade later, Jett died from a seizure while vacationing with his family in the Bahamas in 2009. “It’s the worst thing that’s ever happened in my life,” John told Us Weekly in January 2019. “The truth is, I didn’t know if I was going to make it.”

Things became a bit brighter for the Travoltas when John and Kelly welcomed their youngest child, Benjamin, in November 2010. Although the Pulp Fiction star credited his little one for helping everyone heal, tragedy struck the family again when Kelly died from breast cancer in July 2020.

“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,” John announced on Instagram. “She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many. 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.”

Ella also took to Instagram to pay tribute to her “courageous, strong, beautiful and loving” mom. “Anyone who is lucky enough to have known you or to have ever been in your presence will agree that you have a glow and a light that never ceases to shine and that makes anyone around you feel instantly happy,” she said. “You have made life so beautiful and I know you will continue to do so always. I love you so much, mama.”

Since Kelly’s devastating death, John has stepped up for his family and is doing an incredible job being there for Ella and Ben. Speaking with Kevin Hart more than a year after his spouse died, the Hairspray alum revealed the candid conversation he had with his son while discussing death.

“He said to me once, ‘Because mom passed away, I’m afraid you’re going to,'” John shared during an August 2021 episode of the actor’s talk show Hart to Heart. “I said, ‘Well, it’s a very different thing.’ And I went through the differences about my longevity and her limited life.”

“I said, ‘But you know, Ben … you always love the truth, and I’m going to tell you the truth about life. Nobody knows when they’re gonna go or when they’re going to stay,'” the Grease star continued. “Your brother [Jett] left at 16. Too young. Your mother left at 57. That was too young. But who’s to say? I could die tomorrow. You could. Anybody can. So let’s look at it like it’s part of life. You don’t know exactly, you just do your best at trying to live the longest you can.”

Scroll below to learn more about the couple’s beloved children.