My Beautiful Kelly Is Gone

John Travolta has paid tribute to his wife of 30 years after she lost her two-year battle with breast cancer

- Nici De Wet

She’d kept it away from the public eye out of a desire for privacy – and fought a silent battle.

Just last month she post­ed on Instagram as if noth­ ing were wrong, honoring her husband, John Travol­ ta, on Father’s Day.

So Hollywood and her fans were left reeling when news broke that actress Kelly Preston (57) had died after a two­ year battle with breast cancer.

Most people had no clue she was ill – and that’s the way she wanted it, those in the know say.

Only her nearest and dearest knew of her health battle and John (66) has been left heartbroken.

“It’s with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife, Kelly, has lost her two­year battle with breast cancer,” he wrote on Instagram.

“She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.”

He went on to thank the doctors and nurses at the MD Anderson Cancer Cen­tre at the University of Texas where she was treated, and “all the medical centres that have helped as well as her many friends and loved ones who’ve been by her side”.

He wrote he’d be taking some time to be with their two children, daughter Ella Bleu (20), who’s also an actress, and son Benjamin (10), “so forgive me in advance if you don’t hear from us for a while.

“Please know I’ll feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal.”

In 1977 John tragically lost his then­ girlfriend actress Diana Hyland to breast cancer.

Ella also paid tribute to her mom on social media. “I’ve never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful, and loving as you,” she said.