John Travolta is celebrating his youngest child becoming a teenager by sharing a heartwarming clip that shows Benjamin through the years.
Born in 2010, little Ben was the “new beginning” Travolta and late wife Kelly Preston needed after their eldest son Jett died two years year before.
And though Preston will never be there again to wish her baby a happy birthday, Travolta and his daughter Ella Bleu are making sure the 13-year-old feels the love.
Born November 23, 2010, Benjamin “Ben” is the baby brother to Ella Bleu and the third born child of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, who died at 57 in 2020 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Ben was born less than two years after Jett, the big brother he never met, died while vacationing in the Bahamas with the family. Jett, who was only 16, hit his head on a bathtub after suffering a seizure at the family’s vacation home.
Before Jett’s tragic death, Travolta, now 69, and Preston – both who starred in the 2009 film Old Dogs – were trying to have a third child to no avail.
When the grieving couple learned they had a baby on the way, Preston said they were “completely blown away” by the “miracle.”
“He’s given the house a renewed spirit and purpose,” said the Grease alum, who explained to People in 2010 that he held Preston’s hand during labor while then 10-year-old daughter Ella Bleu waited eagerly outside the room with late actor Kirstie Alley, a close family friend who died in 2022.
“He’s brought us a new beginning, and his presence has brought joy to all the people who have wanted the best for us,” The Pulp Fiction star added.
Birthday wishes
Since Preston died, the Saturday Night Fever star has been a devoted single father to Ella and Benjamin.
To celebrate Ben becoming a teenager, the actor, singer and dancer shared a heartfelt video tribute along with a message of love to his son.
In the montage of photos, with Stevie Wonder’s song “You are the Sunshine of my Life” playing in the background, Ben can be seen as a young boy to the young man he’s become.
In the most recent image, Ben’s cuddling their dog Peanut, formerly known as Mac N Cheese, who made an appearance with Jamie Lee Curtis at the 2022 Oscars.
Gushing over Ben, Travolta writes, “I can’t believe my baby boy is now a teenager. Ben turns 13 today. I love you my son!”
Fans jumped in with birthday wishes for the boy, some commenting on his physical likeness with Preston. One writes, “Happy Birthday Ben! I see so much of your Mom Kelly in your beautiful face!” A second shares, “Precious. Looks like Kelly. She’s smiling down and watching over y’all.”
And a third adds, “He is adorable!! Congrats with your teenager!”
Meanwhile, Ben’s big sister Ella, 23, also celebrated Ben with an adorable photo of him from years before.
“Happy Birthday my sweetest Benjamin, it feels like yesterday you were this young and now you’re 13!! I love you!”
The siblings’ very involved father was the first of many to comment on Ella Bleu’s post with a heart emoji. Replying to dad’s wishes, one fan writes, “Happy birthday very sincerely friend Ben, have a very very happy time…Always with a lot of respect for you papa travolta.”
“Such a cutie. cute like you Ella!” writes a second.
A third shares, “Happy Birthday, wonderful sunshine Ben! The most important thing for a person is family! A place where a warm light always burns for you! And you are all so cute! Ben, Ella and John Travolta!”
Happy 13th birthday, Ben!
What do you think of this story? Please share your thoughts with us and then share the story and show Ben a lot of love on his birthday!
If you enjoyed reading this story, make sure you check out the one on Ella Bleu!
