On Sunday night, Hollywood star John Travolta shocked his fans by revealing that his 57 year-old actress wife Kelly Preston had died after a secret battle with breast cancer. Travolta’s former Grease costar Olivia Newton-John, who has been battling breast cancer herself for the third time over the past year, has broken her silence to pay tribute to Preston.
“Kelly was a radiant, warm and gentle spirit — a loving, devoted wife, mother and sweet friend,” Newton-John said in the statement to Entertainment Tonight. “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.”
Last August, Travolta expressed his support for Newton-John amidst her latest cancer battle, never letting on that his wife was fighting the disease as well.
“She looks incredible,” he said at the time. “She doesn’t look any different than [she did] years ago, and I’m very proud of her. I’m very happy about Olivia.”
Back in February, Newton-John said she was feeling “fantastic” as she continued to battle cancer.
“I’m doing really well,” she said. “Thank you for your love and support, I really appreciate it.”
“I believe your belief system is part of the healing,” the 71 year-old added. “At my last MRI, which is an exam where they look inside, things are shrinking, going away, staying the same and I’m living well with it and I’m feeling great.”
A representative told People magazine that Preston had decided to fight her own cancer battle privately.
“Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends,” the representative said. “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.”
Travolta shocked his fans when he announced his wife’s passing.
“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 said. “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.”
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