John Travolta and Kelly Preston are known for keeping their private lives out of the spotlight. The couple suffered an unthinkable loss in 2009 when their 16-year-old son, Jett Travolta, died while on vacation with the family. The autistic teen, who also lived with Kawasaki disease, suffered a seizure and hit his head on the bathtub of his family’s vacation home. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Losing your firstborn child is a tremendous blow to any family. Luckily, John and Kelly found healing in their other children. Today, daughter Ella is 20 years old, and son Benjamin is 9 years old.
Ella joined John and Kelly in remembering Jett on Instagram on Monday. It would have been his 28th birthday. The family shared beautiful photos and birthday wishes for their lost loved one. It's clear that Jett's spirit lives on in the hearts of all those who were lucky enough to love him.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston have endured a heartbreak that no parent ever wants to experience. The couple lost their firstborn child, Jett Travolta, in 2009 at the age of 16. Jett died while the family was on vacation at the Old Bahama Bay Hotel on Grand Bahama Island.
Jett suffered a seizure in the bathroom. He struck his head on the bathtub as a result. A caretaker found Jett unconscious on the bathroom floor. He was rushed to Rand Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Jett had a complex medical history that turned his parents into advocates. Kelly spoke out about Jett's experience with Kawasaki disease, which he was diagnosed with at 2 years old, in an appearance on The Montel Williams Show.
"Jett's whole immune system shut down, and he got really sick with high fevers, 104 and 105," she said. "I kept taking him into the doctor and they didn't know what was wrong with him. He developed a rash on his body, swollen lymph glands — it was horrible."
Jett was also living with autism. The Travolta family caught slack from some for not speaking out on Jett's autism until after his passing. Critics believed they didn't acknowledge it because of the family's affiliation with Scientology, which does not see autism as a valid diagnosis. A rep for John and Kelly slammed the claims in 2007.
"The Travoltas are wonderful, loving parents, and their priority is their children," a Travolta attorney said, according to E! News. "They have and they continue to take the best possible care of their children. To suggest anything to the contrary is very hurtful to a loving family and also would be false and defamatory."
In 2012, Kelly opened up about Jett's autism on an episode of The Doctors. "He was autistic, he had seizures, and when he was very young, he had Kawasaki syndrome," she explained.
"I strongly believe as a mother, as does my husband, that there are certain contributing factors that lead to autism." Kelly went on to note getting food poisoning while she was pregnant and taking antibiotics while breastfeeding, which led Jett to get thrush.
The interview was the only time Kelly shared her beliefs on the matter. Last year, in celebration of World Autism Day, Kelly shared a photo of her, John, and Jett.
"To my sweet love, Jett… you are in our hearts forever," she wrote on Instagram. "I send love to all of the beautiful autistic children and the wonderful people who love them. May we all shine and grant love and respect to children with special needs ."
Last year also marked 10 years since Jett's passing. John reflected on his two sons' roles in his life while promoting the 2018 film Gotti.
"We certainly have bonded together," the actor said during an interview for Good Morning America. "Certainly having little Ben has been a beautiful kind of glue for us to rebond after a tremendous loss."
Ben was born on November 23, 2011, nearly two years after Jett's death. Kelly and John had been trying for another child for three years. "He’s given the house a renewed spirit and purpose," John told People magazine at the time.
Jett's memory is kept alive by the family in special ways. This year, John, Kelly, and Ella all posted tributes to Jett on Instagram. The posts were in celebration of what would have been Jett's 28th birthday.
"Happy Birthday Jetty! We love you! ❤️," John wrote alongside a photo of the two.
Ella also remembered her older brother on his special day. She celebrated her own 20th birthday earlier this month.
"Happy Birthday to my brother Jett, I love you so much ❤️❤️❤️," she captioned a family photo.
Kelly shared a photo that showed mother and son in a sweet hug. "Happy Birthday to our sweetest Jetty, we love you!! ✨," she captioned the image. Her post was met with an outpouring of love and support as people celebrated Jett's heavenly birthday.
Kelly also shared a post featuring Jett for this year's World Autism Day. "I have a special place in my heart for those with autism and special needs," she captioned a family picture.
"Sending love to some of my favorite people in the world. My son Jetty was one of the most playful and wonderful souls you’ve ever met. Love to all of you with autism and special needs around the world."
