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Kelly Preston was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith on October 13, 1962, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She studied acting at the University of Southern California and got her big break in 1985 with a role in the movie 'Mischief', after appearing in a few TV shows like 'For Love and Honor'.
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In the years that followed, Kelly Preston starred in films like 'SpaceCamp', 'Twins', 'Jerry Maguire' , 'For Love of the Game', 'Old Dogs' Her final film role was in the 2018 movie 'Gotti', where she played "Victoria Gotti", the wife of Mafia boss "John Gotti", portrayed by her real-life husband, John Travolta.
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She also made guest appearances on several network TV series, including 'Medium', 'CSI: Cyber', and 'Joey'.
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Alongside her successful career, Kelly Preston cherished her decades-long love story with husband John Travolta. On New Year's Eve 1991, Travolta proposed at the Palace Hotel restaurant in Gstaad, Switzerland, with a stunning six-carat yellow-and-white diamond ring
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The couple tied the knot on September 5, 1991, while Preston was two months pregnant with their son, Jett. They later had a second wedding ceremony on U.S. soil in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Preston adored her kids. "I've wanted babies since I was 9," she told 'InStyle' in 2001. She and John Travolta had their son Jett in April 1992, and their daughter Ella in April 2000. After Jett's tragic death, they welcomed their son Ben in November 2010, after trying for three years to have another child.
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Both Kelly Preston and John Travolta have been dedicated Scientologists for over 40 years and have openly supported the church. Preston credited Scientology for helping her overcome addiction, while Travolta shared with 'Us Weekly' in 2019 that their faith played a crucial role in helping them heal after the death of their eldest son, Jett.
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Preston passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at the age of 57, after a two-year battle with breast cancer. Her husband, John Travolta, shared the news in an Instagram post.
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"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," Travolta wrote in his Instagram post. “She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many." "Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered," he added.
"Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends. She was a bright, beautiful and loving soul who cared deeply about others and who brought life to everything she touched," a family representative told 'PEOPLE'
Take a look back at the life of Kelly Preston, a beloved actress, devoted mother, and loving wife to John Travolta. From her early days in Hollywood to precious family moments, this gallery captures her warmth and joy
Sadly, her life was cut short by a private battle with breast cancer, leaving behind a legacy of love and strength