John Travolta’s wife, Kelly Preston, died on July 12, 2020, from breast cancer (which she had been diagnosed with two years earlier).

Her loss is felt deeply by the family. On Sunday, May 12, 2024, Travolta and his two children, Benjamin and Ella Bleu Travolta, remembered Preston on Mother’s Day, and the Pulp Fiction actor made an emotional tribute to her on Instagram.

He shared a bunch of photos of Preston and their kids, including one of them holding up signs that read “bake sale.” In the caption, he wrote, “Happy Mother’s Day Kelly. We love you, we miss you.”

It is not so much the words that Travolta wrote but rather the happiness of everyone in the photos that has hit fans hard. The comment section is filled with support for the actor and his family, as well as praise for Preston.

Fans React To John Travolta’s Instagram Post About Kelly Preston

Some of the reactions to John Travolta’s Instagram post in honor of Mother’s Day include messages from fans wishing Kelly Preston a “heavenly Mother’s Day.” A fan wrote, “Happy heavenly Mother’s Day, Kelly.” Another shared, “Your soulmate, for sure. Happy heavenly Mother’s Day, beautiful Kelly!”

“I’ve been a fan of her for years. I was devastated when she left us. Lots of love to you and the kiddos this Mother’s Day!” an emotional Instagram user wrote. “Hugs to you, @ella.bleu and Ben Ben today,” a comment reads. “I know Mother’s Day is hard. Kelly is celebrating with all our mo’s today in Heaven!”

“He left a heartfelt tribute to Kelly Preston. She will always remain alive in the hearts and memories of her children and husband and everyone who admired her as a woman, wife, mother, and actress,” a fan wrote. Another fan commented on the post, writing, “She left a beautiful memory and an immense love that still makes me remember her.”

Fans also praised Travolta’s photo choice. “Oh John, what a wonderful picture to see you, beautiful Kelly, when she is surrounded by a family,” a comment reads. “This is a very intimate family photo. She was one of the greatest mothers in the world … Thank you for sharing this. Must be still very not easy for you.”

John Travolta Speaks About Losing Kelly Preston

Fans had not been aware that Kelly Preston had cancer because she chose not to share that publicly. John Travolta announced her death in an Instagram post on July 13, 2020.

“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. 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.” He continued, “Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered.” Travolta also informed fans that they would be taking time away from the limelight but thanked them for their love and support.

In the years since her death, Travolta has spoken about the loss of his wife and how he has handled his grief. “I learned that crying and mourning over someone is something personal,” he told Esquire Spain (via ABC News).

“Mourning is individual, and experiencing your own journey is what can lead to healing.” He continued, “The most important thing you can do to help another when they are in mourning is allow them to live it and not complicate it with yours. Let’s say you lose someone, and at the funeral, you are very sad, then another person approaches you who is feeling more sadder and doesn’t leave enough space for you to mourn. It would be like two boats plummeting to the bottom. That is my experience.”