'She fought a courageous fight': Kelly Preston dies from breast cancer aged 57

The actress wife of John Travolta had been privately battling the disease for two years

US actress Kelly Preston poses on May 15, 2018, during a photo call for the film 'Gotti' at the 71st Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. AFP

Kelly Preston and her actor-husband John Travolta pose for photographers as they arrive for the Inaugural Screen Actors Guild Awards Show in February in Los Angeles. Travolta was nominated for outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role for his part in 'Pulp Fiction'. AFP

Kelly Preston, with husband John Travolta and then-2-year old daughter Ella, in Sydney, Australia on July 12, 2002. Reuters

The Travolta family are pictured in this undated photograph, released in December, 2009. John Travolta, second left, son Jett, second right, Kelly Preston, right, and daughter Ella, left. Courtesy Travolta Family

Corey Feldman and Kelly Preston during 1987 Young Artist Group at Comedy Store in Los Angeles, California, US. Getty Images

John Travolta, who won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for his role in 'Get Shorty,' kisses wife Kelly Preston at the MGM / United Artists Studio party in 1996. AFP

American actors George Clooney and Kelly Preston, in 1985. Getty Images

Kelly Preston and John Travolta with their children Ella and Benjamin pose as they arrive for a 2018 screening of the film 'Solo : A Star Wars Story' at the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival, France. AFP

Kevin Costner and Kelly Preston in 'For Love Of The Game' in 1999. Getty Images

Actors Kelly Preston and Dustin Hoffman share a laugh as they arrive for the world premiere of the film 'Changing Lanes' on April 7, 2002 in Hollywood, California. Reuters

Kelly Preston, John Travolta, Nicolas Cage and Patricia Arquette at the premiere of 'Face/Off' in 1997. Getty Images

Actors John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston pose at the after-party for the premiere of Lions Gates' 'Eulogy' at the Palomino Resturant on October 13, 2004, in Los Angeles, California. Getty

Kelly Preston is shown with her son Jett in an undated family photo. Courtesy Travolta Family

Actors Kelly Preston and Tom Cruise attend the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre's 34th Annual Anniversary Gala at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre on August 2, 2003, in Hollywood, California. Getty

Actress Kelly Preston greets 'Ladder 49' co-star Joaquin Phoenix at the film's premiere in Hollywood on September 20, 2004. Reuters

Kelly Preston and John Travolta attend the ceremony to honour John Travolta for his body of work in TV and film on June 12, 2018 in Brooklyn, New York. Getty Images

Olivia Newton-John, left, with Kelly Preston talk about their video for the Children's Health Environmental Coalition on Capitol Hill in Washington, on May 9, 2001. The video promotes awareness of childproofing homes from dangerous environmental toxins. Reuters

Actress Kelly Preston and her daughter Ella at the worldwide premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' 'Sky High' at the El Capitan theatre in Hollywood on July 24, 2005. Reuters

John Travolta and Kelly Preston with daughter Ella at the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' 'Old Dogs' at the El Capitan Theatre on November 9, 2009 in Hollywood, California. Getty Images

Actress Kelly Preston attends the first annual Children Mending Hearts Style Sunday on June 9, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. Getty Images

Actress Kelly Preston poses for a portrait while promoting the film 'Return To Sender' at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 17, 2004 in Toronto, Canada. Getty

John Travolta and Kelly Preston attend the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. Getty Images

Kelly Preston attends the New York premiere of 'Gotti' on June 14, 2018 in New York City. Getty Images

American actress and model Kelly Preston has died from breast cancer aged 57.

Her husband and fellow actor, John Travolta, announced the news on his Instagram page with a poignant tribute.

"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," he wrote. "She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.

"Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered. 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."

Travolta also paid tribute to the doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Centre, as well as the friends and loved ones who had supported them, saying: "My family and I will forever be grateful."

Preston was known for her on-screen roles in Jerry Maguire, The Cat in the Hat and From Dusk till Dawn.

A representative of the family confirmed the news to People magazine.

"On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, adored wife and mother, passed away following a two-year battle with breast cancer," the statement added.

Preston's battle with breast cancer had not previously been made public.

The representative continued in the statement: "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. Her family asks for your understanding of their need for privacy at this time."

Preston is survived by Travolta, as well as daughter Ella, 20, and nine-year-old son Benjamin. The couple's son Jett died aged 16 in January 2009.

Tributes to Kelly Preston 

"I'm in absolute shock. What a beautiful and amazing actress and person. So sad to hear of her passing at such a young age," Frozen actor Josh Gad wrote on Twitter. "My heart goes out to John Travolta and the entire family. What a loss."

Spencer Breslin, who starred with Preston in The Cat in the Hat, paid tribute on Twitter, writing: "RIP to my on screen mom, #kellypreston. What a lovely woman. Such a sad loss."

Actress and singer Chloe Bennet wrote: "Kelly Preston was enormously kind and unbelievably lovely. Can’t believe this. My thoughts are with her sweet Ella and the rest of her incredible family. RIP."

Filmmaker Rod Lurie put up a very personal tribute, reflecting on their ties at Punahou School. He wrote: "I knew #KellyPreston in high school. She was supernaturally beautiful and kind. Last time we spoke we discussed my directing a remake of 52-PICK UP in which she'd play the Ann-Margret role. It would've been special for us [Punahou School] alums. All my heart to John, Ella, and Ben."

Celebrity commentator Perez Hilton wrote that he was "at a loss for words", adding: "No words. Just light to John Travolta and her children and family. Rest peacefully, Kelly Preston."

Canadian TV actress and presenter Jillian Barberie tweeted of her disbelief, writing: "Please tell me the news of Kelly Preston is not true. I had no idea she had breast cancer. My heart aches for her family. This is an insidious disease. She was always so lovely and mind when we [interviewed her]. I’m so saddened."