John Travolta Lost Both His Son and His Wife to Disease at Young Ages

John Travolta has gone through a lot of personal tragedy in the course of his life. Just recently, the actor lost his wife, Kelly Preston, after a two-year battle with breast cancer. Before that recent loss, the actor also lost his son Jett, who he had with Kelly in 2009. Now that the news of Kelly's passing has reached the public, many are wondering how the actor's son died at such a young age. 

Jett died in 2009 while on vacation in the Bahamas at Christmas time. After his death, it was reported that Jett had a history of seizures, and a seizure had been his ultimate cause of death. Jett was just 16 at the time. In interviews after his death, the Saturday Night Fever actor said that Jett had also suffered from autism, and had been having seizures all his life, and was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at the age of 2. 

In the wake of Jett's death, John said that he had relied on his immediate family and the Church of Scientology to keep him working. He also started a non-profit organization in his son's name that was designed to help children with special needs. In the years since it was founded, the Jett Travolta foundation has made donations to the Institutes of Achievement for Human Potential and a variety of other organizations. 

Now, more than a decade after they lost their son, John is also dealing with the loss of his wife, Kelly Preston. Kelly, who was an actor, was best known for her roles in Jerry Maguire and Twins. The two were married in 1991, and she is survived by two children, a daughter Ella, who's 20, and a son Benjamin, who's 9. 

Kelly had been battling breast cancer, but she didn't broadcast that fact. "Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends," a family rep told People. "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." 

John and Kelly were married in September, when she was two months pregnant with Jett. As recently as last September, the two were still posting loving tributes to one another on social media in honor of their 28th wedding anniversary. 

"To my dearest Johnny, the most wonderful man I know. You have given me hope when I have felt lost, loved me patiently and unconditionally… made me laugh harder than any other human being possible… shared the most beautiful highs and at times low," Kelly wrote. "You're a dream Daddio and make life so much fun!! I trust my love with you implicitly… with you I know I will always be okay no matter what happens… I love you forever and completely. Happy 28th Anniversary @johntravolta."