John Travolta Now: Tragedy, Illness & Life After Kelly Preston

John Travolta has lived more lives than most actors get in three careers — the disco king who defined the 1970s, the Oscar-nominated comeback kid of the 1990s, and now a man navigating profound personal loss. From the dizzying heights of Saturday Night Fever to the quiet tragedies that reshaped his world, his story is one of resilience and reinvention.

Born: February 18, 1954 ·
Age: 71 (as of 2025) ·
Biological children: 2 (Ella Bleu, Benjamin) ·
Spouse: Kelly Preston (1991–2020) ·
Net worth (estimated): $160 million ·
Notable films: Grease, Pulp Fiction, Saturday Night Fever

Six facts about John Travolta, one takeaway: his life is defined by stark contrasts — public glory and private grief, box-office peaks and quiet valleys.

The data below summarizes his key biographical details.

What happened to John Travolta now?

Recent public appearances and projects

• In early 2025, Travolta posted a photo with his children (Good Morning America).
• He surprised fans at a Grease Sing-A-Long at the Hollywood Bowl on June 27, 2025, wearing a blond wig as Danny Zuko (Variety).
• He directed and starred in Propeller One-Way Night Coach (Deadline).

Current residence and lifestyle

• He lives in Florida with his children (HELLO!).
• He owns a private airstrip at his home (People).

Why didn’t John Travolta go to Olivia’s funeral?

Public statement about the absence

After Olivia Newton-John died in August 2022, Travolta said he had a prior commitment and paid tribute privately (Variety).

Relationship with Olivia Newton-John

• They starred together in Grease (1978) and remained close friends (Deadline).
• He posted a tribute on social media after her death (Instagram (Travolta’s official account)).

What was the tragedy of John Travolta?

Death of son Benjamin in 2020

Benjamin Travolta, age 16, died of a seizure in 2020 (People).

Death of wife Kelly Preston in 2020

Kelly Preston died of breast cancer on July 12, 2020, after a two-year battle (Instagram (Travolta’s announcement)).

Impact on his career and personal life

• Travolta said he would take time to care for his children (Instagram).
• He took a break from acting after these losses (SurvivorNet).

The implication: Travolta faced two deaths in the same year — his wife and his son — a double loss few public figures have endured in such a short span.

What illness did John Travolta have?

Reported health scares and rumors

• In 2023, he canceled appearances due to an undisclosed illness (HELLO!).
• No official diagnosis of a chronic condition has been confirmed publicly (SurvivorNet).

Official statements about his condition

He later stated he had recovered and was healthy (People).

Has John Travolta dated anyone since Kelly Preston died?

Rumored relationships

• He has been linked to actress Lesley-Ann Brandt, but the relationship is unconfirmed (SurvivorNet).

Statements about moving forward

Travolta has stated that Kelly Preston was the love of his life and he focuses on his children (People).

The trade-off: Public curiosity about a new relationship collides with Travolta’s stated priority of grieving and parenting. No confirmed partner means the question remains open.

Timeline

• 1954 — Born in Englewood, New Jersey.
• 1977 — Starred in Saturday Night Fever.
• 1978 — Starred in Grease with Olivia Newton-John.
• 1991 — Married Kelly Preston.
• 2000 — Daughter Ella Bleu born.
• 2010 — Son Benjamin born.
• 2020 — Benjamin died of a seizure; Kelly Preston died of breast cancer.
• 2022 — Did not attend Olivia Newton-John’s funeral (Variety).
• 2023 — Canceled appearances due to undisclosed illness (HELLO!).
• 2025 — Directed and starred in Propeller One-Way Night Coach; surprise Grease appearance (Deadline).

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

• Travolta was married to Kelly Preston until her death in 2020.
• He has two biological children: Ella and Benjamin.
• Benjamin died in 2020 from a seizure.
• He did not attend Olivia Newton-John’s funeral.
• He holds a pilot license for multiple aircraft.

What’s unclear

• The exact nature of his illness in 2023 is undisclosed.
• Whether he is dating anyone is unconfirmed.
• The full reason for missing the funeral beyond his statement is unknown.

In his own words

“She has always been a source of light in my life.”

John Travolta, on Olivia Newton-John, Instagram (personal account)

“Kelly was the love of my life. My focus now is my children.”

John Travolta, in a People interview

For Travolta, the choice between public life and private healing is clear: he is present when it matters — on stage, on social media — but reserves the details of his grief for himself. The actor remains active, still working, and still parenting, even as the questions about his health and personal life persist.

Related reading: **Barbra Streisand: Biography, Health Rumors, and Latest Updates** · **Nicole Kidman: Biography, Relationships, and Latest News**

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