Preston battled breast cancer for two years and died at the age of only 57 • "She fought a heroic battle," her husband John Travolta said, "I take time to be with my children."

• John Travolta and Kelly Preston

  Photo: 

  EPA

Away from the eyes of the media and the gossip columns, actress Kelly Preston passed away last night (Sunday) after a long battle with cancer.

Kelly, 57 at the time of her death, battled breast cancer for two years, a struggle well hidden from the media and the public.

"With a heavy heart I have to announce that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her battle with breast cancer," her husband John Travolta confirmed her death in a post he posted this morning (Monday) to his Instagram.

"She fought a heroic battle, with the love and support of many. I take time to be with my children who have lost their mother, so I apologize in advance if you will not hear from us for a while. All my love, JT," he signed the post in his initials.

The couple's eldest daughter, Ella, also paid tribute to her late mother on Instagram: "I have never met a woman so brave, strong, beautiful and loving as you. Anyone who has been fortunate enough to know you or to be near you will agree that you had an aura and light that made everyone around you feel instantly happy. Thank you for being there for me no matter what. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your help and thank you for making the world a better place. You've made life so beautiful and I know you will keep doing it. I love you so much, Mom.

Preston was born in 1962 in Hawaii and began her acting career on the small screen in the series, "Hawaii Five Zero." In a career spanning more than three decades, Preston has taken part in films such as "Christine", "Twins" and "Jerry Maguire". She appeared alongside Travolta in the films "Battle of the Earth" and "Gothic".

She met Travolta (who was her second husband) on the set of the film The Experts which came out in 1989. They married in 1991 and had three children: Ella, 20, Benjamin, 9, and Jet, who died in a tragic home accident in 2009 at the age of 16.

"Kelly Preston, a revered wife and mother, has died after a two-year battle with breast cancer," a family spokesman told People magazine. "She was a bright, beautiful and loving soul who cared deeply for others and brought life to everything she touched."