Actor John Travolta recently revealed that his 10-year-old son was afraid his father,
too, would die following the death of Travolta's wife,
actress Kelly Preston. Travolta opened up about the deep and meaningful conversation
he had with son Ben on the latest episode of Kevin Hart's talk show, "Hart to Heart":
"He said to me once, he said, you know, 'Because mom passed away, I'm afraid you're going to.'"
Preston, known for roles in films like "Jerry Maguire" and "Sky High," died July 12, 2020,
after a two-year breast cancer battle. A family representative told People Magazine shortly after
her death that, while Preston had been in treatment for the illness for some time, she
made the decision to keep her condition private throughout her battle. Travolta also shared his
own words on Instagram, writing that he will be eternally grateful for all the medical staff who
treated Preston throughout her journey, and for the support of family and friends. As he wrote:
"She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many."
While Travolta took some time out for his family following Preston's death,
he has continued to honor her on social media. He sweetly uploaded a video of him dancing with
21-year-old daughter Ella to honor Preston’s memory, shared a wedding photo from 1991,
and wrote a touching tribute for her on Mother's Day. The "Grease" actor chatted candidly about his
experiences with grief to Esquire Spain in April of 2021, discussing how important maintaining
privacy was during his grieving process. Then, of course, there was the struggle of becoming single.
On "Hart to Heart," Travolta explained to host Kevin Hart that he'd spoken honestly with his
son about Preston's death. He wanted his son to know that one of life's great difficulties is
understanding that, quote, "nobody knows" how long their life will actually be. Travolta tied the
lesson not just to his wife's death, but to the death of his son Jett, who passed away in 2009.
"Your brother left at 16. Too young. Your mother left at 57. That was too young. But who's to say?"
Travolta also told Hart that his son asked him what it was like to be in his 60s,
to which the "Saturday Night Fever" actor said he feels, quote, "eternally 21." In talking about
aging with his son, Travolta realized that while he was actually worried about his age, Ben was
able to help him realize that the last chapter of his life still has the potential to be long.
"A 10-year-old telling me that! It changed my viewpoint."
While reflecting on his hopes for the next 30 years, Travolta told Hart that he wanted to make
sure he left his kids, quote, "doing great," and to pass on his success and wisdom to them.
It's a lesson he's learned thanks to other experiences with grief.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston tragically lost their first-born
son Jett more than a decade ago while on vacation in the Bahamas.
Jett, who had autism, died in January 2009 after suffering a seizure. He was just 16 years old.
On April 14 of 2021, the "Pulp Fiction" star shared a heartwarming post to Instagram,
wishing love for his son on what would have been his 29th birthday.
Travolta's 21-year-old daughter Ella also shared her own sweet image of her
and Jett as children. Ben, however, was born after his big brother's death in November 2010.
Travolta told People in 2011 that he and Preston tried to conceive for three years
before Ben finally came along. Travolta was 56 and Preston was 48 when Ben was born,
and the actor noted that their new son had given them, quote, "renewed spirit and purpose."
Travolta told Hart that he hoped to pass on his success and talent to his children,
and it seems like both Ben and Ella are already following in their father's footsteps.
Ella is currently taking on her first movie role in a film called "Get Lost," and Travolta recently
celebrated on social media with an image of her from the film's set. Like father, like daughter.
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