Kelly Preston dies, aged 57

Actress Kelly Preston has died at the age of 57 after a two-year battle with breast cancer. The news was confirmed by Preston's husband John Travolta on Monday in a post on his Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

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. 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. 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. All my love, JT

A post shared by John Travolta (@johntravolta) on Jul 12, 2020 at 10:20pm PDT

Preston made her first TV appearance in 1980 in an episode of Hawaii Five-O and went on to star in films such as Jerry Maguire, Mischief, Twins and The Cat in the Hat, amongst many others. Preston and Travolta have been married since 1991, having met four years earlier while working together on Dave Thomas comedy The Experts.

Preston was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, although her diagnosis was not made public and only confirmed by Travolta this week. At the time of her death, Preston was being treated at a cancer centre in Houston, Texas.

In a statement to People, a family representative said: "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."