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John Travolta opens up about son Jett’s shock death

JOHN Travolta’s son Jett died suddenly in 2009 aged just 16 years old. Now the actor reveals what a toll it took on his family - and how they healed.

Olivia and John on Rove LA

ACTOR John Travolta has opened up about the shocking loss of his son Jett in 2009 and how his family healed after his passing.

Sixteen-year-old Jett died while on a Christmas holiday in the Bahamas, with his cause of death attributed to a seizure. He suffered from Autism and Kwwasaki disease and had a long history of seizures.

Travolta with wife Kelly Preston at last week’s Emmy Awards. Picture: Robyn Beck / AFP
Travolta with wife Kelly Preston at last week’s Emmy Awards. Picture: Robyn Beck / AFP

Travolta and wife Kelly Preston had a daughter, Ella Bleu, in 2000, and added another child to their family following Jett’s death, with the birth of son Benjamin in 2010.

Now, 62-year-old Travolta credits that new addition to the family with helping them all to heal.

“We certainly have bonded together. Certainly having little Ben has been a beautiful kind of glue for us to rebond after a tremendous loss.”

Travolta has previously spoken out about the death of his son, saying he didn’t know if he’d make it through.

“[That was] the worst thing that’s ever happened in my life. The truth is, I didn’t know if I was going to make it. Life was no longer interesting to me, so it took a lot to get me better. [I] didn’t want to wake up,” said Travolta, who credited his Scientology faith with helping him.

Jett had a history of health problems leading up to his 2009 death. Picture: Rogers & Cowan / AFP
Jett had a history of health problems leading up to his 2009 death. Picture: Rogers & Cowan / AFP

“I will forever be grateful to Scientology for supporting me for two years solid, I mean Monday through Sunday. They didn’t take a day off, working through different angles of the techniques to get through grief and loss, and to make me feel that finally I could get through a day,” he said.

Father and son.
Father and son.

Originally published as John Travolta opens up about son Jett’s shock death

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/john-travolta-opens-up-about-son-jetts-shock-death/news-story/0f9c91d7e751e669e19d1e246fdce0aa