Hollywood legend John Travolta has shared touching birthday wishes for his son Benjamin, who recently celebrated his 15th birthday during a family trip to Norway. The actor posted a photograph showing his teenage son posing against the stunning backdrop of Reine, a picturesque fishing village in Norway, where the family resemblance between father and son appears remarkably strong.
A Striking Family Likeness
The Saturday Night Fever star, 71, couldn't contain his emotions as he marked this milestone occasion. "Happy Birthday my dear Ben! I can't believe how quickly you've grown up! I love you!" Travolta wrote in the caption accompanying the Sunday social media post. This isn't the first time recently that the actor has highlighted the uncanny physical similarities between himself and his son.
Just last week, Travolta shared another heartfelt Instagram video showing himself and Benjamin enjoying a snowy mountain trek together in the Scandinavian country. The clip captured the teenager making his way up to a vantage point to admire Norway's breathtaking landscapes. "Ain't no mountain high enough for my son Ben. Love from Norway," the Grease star wrote, setting the touching moment to Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's classic 1967 recording.
Family History and Tragic Losses
The Pulp Fiction star welcomed Benjamin with his late wife, Kelly Preston, who tragically died of cancer in July 2020 at age 57. The couple had been married for nearly three decades and shared three children together: Benjamin, daughter Ella Bleu (now 25), and son Jett, who died at just 16 years old in 2009.
The family experienced profound tragedy when Jett, who had a history of seizures, suffered a fatal episode during a Bahamas vacation, dying after hitting his head on a bathtub. This April, Travolta commemorated what would have been his older son's 33rd birthday on Instagram, writing: "Happy birthday Jett - I miss you so much! Love you forever!"
Navigating Grief and Moving Forward
The Travolta family faced another devastating blow when Preston passed away two years after her breast cancer diagnosis. The actor announced her death while expressing gratitude to her medical team, specifically mentioning MD Anderson Cancer Center. His post sparked speculation about the family's relationship with Scientology, given the religion's founder L Ron Hubbard's documented opposition to chemotherapy and radiation, though the Church of Scientology's official website does encourage followers to seek conventional medical treatment.
Travolta has been open about his grieving process in the years since losing his wife. In a 2021 interview with Esquire Spain, he shared insights about mourning, stating: "I learned that crying and mourning over someone is something personal. Mourning is individual and experiencing your own journey is what can lead to healing."
The actor emphasised the importance of allowing space for personal grief, explaining that overwhelming someone else with your sadness can complicate their mourning process. "The first thing you should do when you experience grief is to go to a place where you can mourn, without any interference," he advised.
On what would have been Preston's 63rd birthday recently, Travolta posted a photograph of his late wife alongside a recording of himself singing the 1940s love song Come Rain or Come Shine. "I recorded this song for Kelly and I want to share it with you all on her birthday. Happy birthday Kelly, we love you. - John, Ella and Ben," he wrote, demonstrating how the family continues to honour her memory while moving forward together.
