John Travolta has spent decades under the flashing lights of Hollywood, but honestly, if you look at his life lately, it isn't the movies that define him. It’s being a dad. When people search for John Travolta kids, they usually expect a standard celebrity slideshow, but the reality is way more grounded—and honestly, a bit heavy. Travolta and his late wife, Kelly Preston, had three children: Jett, Ella Bleu, and Benjamin. Their family story is one of incredible highs, like red carpet premieres and private jet trips, but it’s also marked by the kind of grief that would break most people.
The Legacy of Jett Travolta and the Lessons Learned
Jett was the first. Born in 1992, he was the center of John and Kelly’s world. But things weren't exactly easy. Jett had a history of seizures and was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease when he was very young, an illness that causes inflammation in the blood vessels.
Then 2009 happened.
The family was vacationing in the Bahamas when Jett, only 16, passed away after hitting his head during a seizure. It’s the kind of thing no parent ever recovers from. John has been pretty open about how he didn't know if he could keep going after that. He credited the Church of Scientology for helping him through the immediate aftermath, though his relationship with the organization is a topic of constant debate among fans and critics.
What’s interesting about Jett’s legacy is how it changed John’s approach to his other kids. You see it in the way he talks about them now—there's this intense, almost protective tenderness. He doesn't take a single second for granted.
🔗 Read more: Nicole Kidman with bangs: Why the actress just brought back her most iconic look
Ella Bleu: Carrying the Torch
If you’ve seen Ella Bleu Travolta lately, you know she’s basically her father’s twin. She’s 25 now and leaning hard into the family business. But she isn't just "the daughter of." She’s making a name for herself in music and film.
- She starred alongside her dad in Old Dogs back in 2009.
- She’s released singles like "Dizzy," showing off a voice that's actually really soulful.
- She’s a fixture at Fashion Week, often seen at Chanel or Dior shows.
John is her biggest hype man. Seriously. His Instagram is basically an Ella Bleu fan account. He’s always posting clips of her projects with captions that make him sound like every other proud, slightly embarrassing dad. It’s relatable. Despite the fame, Ella seems remarkably well-adjusted. She stayed by her father’s side after her mother, Kelly Preston, passed away from breast cancer in 2020. That’s a lot of loss for a young woman to handle—losing a brother and then a mother—but she’s handled it with a lot of grace.
Benjamin Travolta: The New Chapter
Then there’s Ben. Born in 2010, Ben was often described by the couple as their "spirit lifter." After the tragedy of Jett, Ben’s arrival helped the family find a way to smile again.
He’s a teenager now. And he’s into the stuff you’d expect—gymnastics, parkour, and hanging out with the family dog, Peanut. John often shares videos of Ben doing these wild backflips and obstacle courses. It’s clear that Ben is the spark in the house.
💡 You might also like: Kate Middleton Astro Chart Explained: Why She Was Born for the Crown
Parenting in the Public Eye
How do you raise a kid like Ben when the whole world knows your business? John seems to do it by keeping things as normal as possible while also acknowledging the weirdness. He once shared a story about a deep conversation he had with Ben about death. Ben was afraid that because his mom passed away, John would too. Instead of sugarcoating it, John told him the truth: "Nobody knows when they’re gonna go or when they’re gonna stay." He explained that his brother died young and his mother died at 57, but he’s still here. It’s that kind of honesty that seems to define the John Travolta kids' upbringing.
Life After Kelly Preston
The loss of Kelly in 2020 changed the dynamic again. John effectively became a single father to a pre-teen and a young adult. He stepped back from acting for a while to just be there. You don't see him in five movies a year anymore. He’s picky. He’d rather be at home in Florida or flying his planes with Ben in the co-pilot seat.
The bond between the three of them—John, Ella, and Ben—is tight. They travel together, celebrate birthdays with massive cakes, and seem to genuinely enjoy each other's company. It’s not that polished, PR-managed family vibe you see with some A-listers. It feels like they’re survivors who found a way to be happy again.
What We Can Learn From the Travolta Family
- Resilience isn't about moving on. It’s about moving forward with the people you have left.
- Honesty matters. John’s willingness to discuss Jett and Kelly with his kids has clearly built a foundation of trust.
- Privacy is a choice. Notice how we don't see Ben in the tabloids every day? John shares what he wants on his terms, protecting his son’s childhood.
It’s easy to look at a guy who owns a Boeing 707 and think his life is perfect. But the story of the John Travolta kids proves that money and fame don't shield you from the hard stuff. It just gives you a different stage to deal with it on.
📖 Related: Ainsley Earhardt in Bikini: Why Fans Are Actually Searching for It
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you're following the Travolta family or looking for ways to apply their brand of resilience to your own life, keep these things in mind:
- Prioritize Presence Over Presents: John’s career shift after 2020 shows that time is the only currency that really matters when raising children through grief.
- Support Creative Outlets: Whether it’s Ella’s music or Ben’s gymnastics, fostering a child’s passions can be a powerful tool for emotional processing.
- Acknowledge the Hard Conversations: Don't shy away from discussing loss with children. Use age-appropriate honesty to help them navigate their fears.
- Keep the Memory Alive: The family frequently honors Jett and Kelly on social media, making them a "present absence" in their daily lives rather than a taboo subject.
The Travolta story is still being written. With Ella's career taking off and Ben entering his mid-teens, the focus has shifted from the tragedies of the past to the potential of the future. It's a reminder that even after the worst storms, a family can find a way to rebuild.
Next Steps for Readers
- Follow Official Channels: To see the most authentic updates on the family, stick to John Travolta’s verified Instagram rather than tabloid rumors.
- Support the Kelly Preston Memorial: Look into cancer research organizations that the family has supported in the past to honor Kelly’s legacy.
- Watch Ella Bleu’s Work: Check out her latest music releases on streaming platforms to see how she’s carving out her own path in the industry.