After Losing His Son at 16 and His Wife to Cancer, John Travolta, 72, Shares Rare Family Photos — See How His Children Look Today

John Travolta has spent decades entertaining audiences with unforgettable performances in movies like Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Pulp Fiction. But behind the Hollywood fame, the beloved actor has endured heartbreaking personal tragedies that forever changed his life.

First, he lost his eldest son, Jett, at just 16 years old. Then, more than a decade later, he said goodbye to his wife of nearly 29 years, Kelly Preston, following her battle with breast cancer.

Through it all, Travolta has remained devoted to his two surviving children, Ella Bleu and Benjamin.

Now 72, the Hollywood legend has shared touching glimpses of his family life, and fans are amazed by how much his children have grown.

A Family Devastated by an Unimaginable Loss

John Travolta and Kelly Preston married in September 1991, beginning a love story that would last almost three decades.

The couple welcomed their first child, Jett, in April 1992, followed by daughter Ella Bleu in April 2000.

But in January 2009, tragedy struck during a family vacation in the Bahamas.

Jett, who was just 16 years old, suffered a seizure and died after hitting his head in a bathroom.

The devastating loss left the family heartbroken.

Travolta and Preston had always been devoted parents, and losing their eldest child was something no amount of fame or success could have prepared them for.

Despite their grief, the couple continued supporting one another and their daughter Ella.

Then, in November 2010, they welcomed another son, Benjamin.

Travolta later described Benjamin’s arrival as an important part of helping the family reconnect after their devastating loss.

Another Heartbreak: Saying Goodbye to Kelly Preston

For years, John and Kelly appeared to have one of Hollywood’s strongest marriages.

They regularly attended red-carpet events together, supported each other’s careers, and shared loving family moments with their children.

But in July 2020, their world changed again.

Kelly Preston died at the age of 57 following a private two-year battle with breast cancer.

Travolta announced the heartbreaking news publicly, expressing gratitude to the doctors and medical staff who had cared for his wife.

He also made it clear that he needed time away from the spotlight to focus on his grieving children.

At the time, Ella was 20 years old, while Benjamin was only nine.

Suddenly, Travolta was navigating life as a single father while coping with the loss of the woman he had loved for nearly three decades.

A Rare Family Photo That Touched Fans

Despite everything the family has experienced, Travolta continues to celebrate meaningful moments with Ella and Benjamin.

In February 2026, the actor delighted followers by sharing a belated Christmas photograph featuring his two children.

The sweet image showed Travolta standing close to Benjamin, with his arm around his son, while Ella leaned affectionately toward her father.

The photograph offered a rare glimpse into their close relationship.

Fans were particularly surprised by how grown-up both children looked.

Ella, now 26, has blossomed into a confident young woman pursuing her own career in entertainment.

Meanwhile, Benjamin, now 15, is growing into a teenager who increasingly resembles his famous father.

For longtime fans who remember seeing the children when they were little, the family portrait was an emotional reminder of how quickly time passes.

Ella Bleu Is Following in Her Parents’ Footsteps

John Travolta’s daughter, Ella Bleu, has inherited her parents’ passion for entertainment.

Over the years, she has explored acting, music, and modeling, gradually establishing her own identity beyond her famous family name.

Her father has frequently expressed pride in her accomplishments.

In October 2026, Ella reached another exciting milestone when she appeared at Paris Fashion Week, participating in Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2027 runway show.

The moment was especially meaningful because it happened shortly before what would have been Kelly Preston’s 64th birthday.

On October 13, Travolta shared a video celebrating his daughter’s achievement and dedicated an emotional message to his late wife.

“Look at your baby girl now Kelly!! Happy birthday, you should be so proud!!” he wrote.

The tribute was a beautiful reminder that, even years after Kelly’s passing, her memory remains an important part of the family’s happiest moments.

Ella also honored her mother by sharing a childhood photograph of them together.

Benjamin Is Growing Up Away From the Spotlight

While Ella has begun building a public career, her younger brother Benjamin generally enjoys a more private life.

Born in November 2010, Benjamin was just a child when his mother passed away.

Travolta has occasionally shared photographs of his son celebrating birthdays, enjoying holidays, and spending time with family.

Although Benjamin rarely appears at major Hollywood events, his father’s social media posts reveal their close bond.

In the family’s Christmas photograph, Benjamin stood beside Travolta with a relaxed smile, looking noticeably older than in previous family pictures.

For fans who remember his arrival in 2010, seeing him as a teenager is particularly touching.

Keeping Kelly and Jett’s Memories Alive

Even as the years pass, Travolta continues to honor the two family members he lost.

He has shared heartfelt tributes to Jett on his birthday, reminding followers that his eldest son remains forever in his heart.

He also regularly remembers Kelly on special occasions, including Mother’s Day and her birthday.

In 2026, Travolta dedicated his film Propeller One-Way Night Coach to several loved ones, including Kelly and Jett.

The gesture reflected how deeply his family continues to influence his creative work.

Rather than hiding the painful chapters of his life, the actor has found ways to acknowledge them while continuing to celebrate the people who remain by his side.

At 72, Family Remains His Greatest Priority

John Travolta’s life has been filled with extraordinary professional achievements.

He has starred in some of Hollywood’s most recognizable films, earned major awards, and remained a beloved figure across generations.

But his personal journey has also included losses that no parent or spouse ever wants to experience.

Today, his relationship with Ella and Benjamin remains central to his life.

Their family photographs offer more than just a glimpse into the private world of a Hollywood celebrity.

They tell the story of a father and his children continuing to move forward together while keeping the memories of their loved ones alive.

And as Ella builds her career and Benjamin grows into adulthood, fans continue to admire the close bond the three share.

After everything John Travolta has endured, seeing him smiling beside his children is a particularly touching sight.

For the actor, Hollywood fame may have brought worldwide recognition, but the love of his family remains something far more personal and meaningful.