John Travolta commemorated what would have been his late wife Kelly Preston’s 64th birthday on Tuesday, 13 October, by sharing a touching video tribute on social media. The actor’s post featured a montage compiled by their daughter, Ella Bleu Travolta, showcasing her recent modelling debut during Paris Fashion Week.
The montage, initially shared by 26-year-old Ella, highlighted her appearance at Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2027 show. The event took place on 4 October, and the video captured various moments of Ella preparing for her runway walk, where she was joined by renowned figures such as Gigi Hadid and Olivia Colman. Against the backdrop of Audrey Hepburn’s rendition of “Moon River,” Travolta’s heartfelt caption read, “Look at your baby girl now Kelly!! Happy birthday, you should be so proud!!”
Ella first entered the world of modelling last year when she participated in New York Fashion Week, walking for the iconic Karl Lagerfeld in his Cara Loves Karl capsule collection. Her triumph in Paris marks a significant milestone in her budding career, and both parents have expressed pride in her accomplishments.
In addition to John Travolta’s tribute, Ella also took a moment to honour her mother with a personal message on her Instagram Stories. She shared a nostalgic photograph from her childhood, depicting herself alongside Preston, coupled with the sentiments, “Happy Birthday mama. I love you,” accompanied by a white heart emoji.
The memory of Kelly Preston, who passed away in 2020 from breast cancer at the age of 57, continues to resonate within the Travolta family. In addition to Ella, the couple also had a son named Benjamin, who is now 15 years old. Tragically, their first son Jett died in 2009 at the age of 16.
Earlier this year, to celebrate Mother’s Day, Ella posted another heartfelt tribute, featuring a childhood photo of herself with her mother. The picture showed Preston with a bowl of celebratory ice cream, adorned with a candle, as they both beamed at the camera. In the caption, Ella expressed her love with the words, “Happy Mother’s Day Mama, I love you,” along with three heart emojis.
Travolta, who has been navigating life after significant loss, recently released a film titled “Propeller One-Way Night Coach,” in which Ella plays a role. The film is dedicated to both Kelly and Jett. In an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, he revealed, “I dedicated the film to Kelly, to my son Jett, to my brothers and sisters, to my mother and my father, because they are the model from which this film was born.”
Throughout his journey, Travolta has been candid about his approach to coping with grief. He acknowledged that life has posed numerous challenges but emphasised his innate tendency to seek positivity even amidst darkness. “I can look at the darkness, but I don’t choose to die in that darkness,” he remarked, reflecting on the resilience he aims to embody.
As the Travolta family navigates the challenges of life without Kelly Preston, they lean on each other for support, celebrating her memory while trying to build a future filled with hope. With milestones like Ella’s modelling success and Travolta’s film endeavours, the family remains united in honouring the legacy of a beloved wife and mother.