Kelly Preston’s brother has opened about her tragic death from breast cancer, saying the family is ‘gutted”.
The Jerry Maguire actress, who was married to John Travolta, passed away on Sunday after a secret battle with the disease. She was 57.
Her younger half-brother Chris Palzis, 51, said her loved ones were all together at her bedside when she died.
Chris told the Daily Mail : “We’re just all very gutted over this, if I had to say something that would pretty much summarize it,
“She was a light and she was a warrior and she’ll always be remembered for how she brought out the best in people.
“It’s heartbreaking. We just got back from her bedside in Florida. We were all together in Florida,” he added.
Chris is Kelly’s mother’s son with her second husband Peter Palzis.
Kelly’s own father died when she was just three
Travolta announced the tragic news in a statement earlier this week.
“On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, adored wife and mother, passed away following a two-year battle with breast cancer,” the statement said.
“Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends,” the rep added.
“She was a bright, beautiful and loving soul who cared deeply about others and who brought life to everything she touched. Her family asks for your understanding of their need for privacy at this time.”
He then paid tribute to her on Instagram, saying: “It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer.
“She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.
“My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side. Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered.”