Net Worth Ranker
What Was Kelly Preston’s Net Worth?
At the time of her passing on July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston’s net worth was estimated to be $180 million. This was a combined net worth with her husband, actor John Travolta. A significant portion of this wealth was derived from Travolta’s successful acting career.
Kelly Preston’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Kelly Kamalelehua Smith, later known as Kelly Preston, was born on October 13, 1962, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her early life involved a mix of experiences across different countries, including Iraq and Australia, due to her father’s work in an agricultural firm and subsequent relocation with her family. When she was three years old, her father passed away by drowning, and her mother, Linda, remarried Peter Palzis, a personnel director.
While living in Australia at the age of 16, Preston was discovered by a fashion photographer, marking the start of her career in commercials. It was during this time that she adopted the surname “Preston.” She later attended Punahou School in Honolulu, graduating in 1980, before enrolling at the University of Southern California to study drama and theater.
Kelly Preston’s acting career took off in the mid-1980s. Her early roles showcased her talent and versatility. Her persistence in auditioning during her early 20s paved the way for her breakthrough.
Kelly Preston’s Notable Film Roles and Career Highlights
Kelly Preston’s career featured a range of roles in both film and television. In 1985, she landed a prominent role as Marilyn McCauley in the film “Mischief,” which helped establish her in the industry. Following this, she appeared in another teen comedy, “Secret Admirer”.
In 1986, Preston took on a role in the film “SpaceCamp,” further solidifying her presence in Hollywood. She continued to secure roles in notable films, including “Twins” (1988) alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. In 1996, she starred in “Jerry Maguire” opposite Tom Cruise, a film that garnered significant attention and critical acclaim.
The latter half of the 1990s saw Preston actively involved in various projects. She starred in “For Love of the Game” with Kevin Costner and collaborated with Eddie Murphy and Jeff Goldblum in the 1998 film “Holy Man.” Additionally, she appeared in “Nothing to Lose” (1997) with Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins, as well as in the 1998 film “Jack Frost.”
In 2000, Preston played the on-screen girlfriend of her husband John Travolta’s character in the film “Battlefield Earth.” This role led to a nomination at the Golden Raspberry Awards for “Worst Supporting Actress,” which she ultimately won.
In 2004, Preston appeared in Maroon 5’s music video for “She Will Be Loved”. She later played a superhero mother in the 2005 film “Sky High”. In 2007, she appeared in the crime thriller “Death Sentence” opposite Kevin Bacon. She also had a recurring role in the television series “Medium”. In 2008, Preston starred in “The Tenth Circle,” a Lifetime original television film alongside Britt Robertson, Michael Riley, and others. Preston also appeared in episodes of “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life” in 2010 and “CSI: Cyber” in 2016.
In her later years, Preston took on fewer acting roles. She became a spokesmodel for Neutrogena, appearing in several television and advertising campaigns for the skincare brand. Her final film appearance was in “Off the Rails,” a 2021 comedy-drama film.
While specific financial details regarding Kelly Preston’s individual earnings from these roles are not publicly available, these roles contributed to her overall net worth. Her net worth was significantly tied to John Travolta’s, given their marital partnership of nearly three decades.
Kelly Preston’s Personal Life and Real Estate Holdings
Kelly Preston’s personal life included a marriage to actor Kevin Gage in 1985, which ended in divorce in 1987. She was also romantically involved with George Clooney in the late 1980s and was briefly engaged to Charlie Sheen in 1990. During this time, Sheen accidentally shot Preston in the wrist.
Preston began dating John Travolta while working on the film “The Experts.” They married in September 1991 at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris, followed by a second ceremony in Florida due to the first ceremony being deemed invalid because it was performed by a French Scientology minister. Both Preston and Travolta were Scientologists.
Together, Preston and Travolta had three children: Jett, Ella, and Benjamin. In January 2009, their eldest son, Jett, tragically passed away from a seizure while on vacation in the Bahamas. Jett had a history of seizures and had been diagnosed with autism. His death resulted in a trial involving allegations of extortion related to their son’s death, but the charges were eventually dismissed after Travolta and Preston decided to drop the case.
Kelly Preston and John Travolta shared several real estate holdings. In 1993, they purchased a 2.35-acre home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, for $3.5 million. The property included an 8,100 square-foot main house with seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a tennis court, a playground, and a large swimming pool. In January 2020, they sold this home to Scooter Braun for $18 million.
The couple also maintained a $2.65 million home in Calabasas, Los Angeles, purchased in September 2019. Outside of Los Angeles, the Travoltas owned a 50-acre estate in Maine, a mansion in Clearwater, Florida, near the headquarters of Scientology, and a unique home in Ocala, Florida, within the Jumbolair Aviation Estates, a private airport community designed for large planes. John Travolta, an avid aviator, could operate his Boeing 707 from this property.
While the specific details of how Kelly Preston’s individual assets contributed to the overall $180 million net worth are not publicly itemized, her career and shared assets with John Travolta played a significant role.
Kelly Preston’s Death and Legacy
Kelly Preston was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 55. She chose to keep her diagnosis private while undergoing treatment. She died on July 12, 2020, in Clearwater, Florida, at the age of 57.
While the specifics of Kelly Preston’s individual income from acting or endorsements aren’t fully detailed in public records, her career contributed to her net worth. That net worth, predominantly built with John Travolta, was estimated at $180 million at the time of her death.
