Jett Travolta: Biography, Cause of Death, and Tributes

For many fans, the Travolta family has long been a fixture of Hollywood glamour. But behind the spotlight, John Travolta and Kelly Preston faced a deeply personal struggle: raising their eldest son, Jett, who battled serious health issues from a young age. Jett Travolta passed away at 16 on January 2, 2009, after a seizure in the Bahamas (Good Morning America). This article pieces together the verified facts of his life, the medical conditions he lived with, and how his family continues to honor his memory.

Born: April 13, 1992 · Died: January 2, 2009 · Age at death: 16 · Parents: John Travolta and Kelly Preston · Siblings: Ella Bleu Travolta and Benjamin Travolta · Cause of death: Seizure related to Kawasaki disease and autism

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

Jett Travolta died on January 2, 2009 from a seizure (Good Morning America)
He had Kawasaki disease as a child (ABC News)
He was autistic (family statement) (CBS News)
John Travolta has three biological children (E! News)

2What’s unclear

Whether autism was formally diagnosed or only reported (Wikinews)
Exact trigger of the seizure that caused his death (Good Morning America)
Role of Scientology in medical decisions (Wikinews)

3Timeline signal

1992: Jett Travolta born in Daytona Beach, Florida
1994: Diagnosed with Kawasaki disease
2009: Died at age 16 after seizure
2010: Brother Benjamin born
2021: John Travolta posts 29th birthday tribute

4What’s next

Annual social media tributes from John Travolta (E! News)
Ongoing advocacy for epilepsy and autism awareness (E! News)
Family continues to dedicate projects to Jett’s memory (E! News)

Key facts about Jett Travolta
Full name	Jett Travolta
Born	April 13, 1992
Died	January 2, 2009
Parents	John Travolta and Kelly Preston
Siblings	Ella Bleu Travolta, Benjamin Travolta
Cause of death	Seizure
Notable for	Son of famous actors; health struggles; posthumous tributes

The table above distills the essential biographical data into a single reference point.

What happened to John Travolta’s son Jett?

The events of January 2, 2009

Jett Travolta died while vacationing with his family in Freeport, Bahamas (Good Morning America)
He was 16 years old at the time of death (CBS News)
Multiple reports state that the official cause was a seizure (ABC News)

ABC News reported that Jett Travolta died after experiencing a seizure and hitting his head in a bathtub (ABC News). No autopsy was performed, a decision made by the family.

Family response and media coverage

Family lawyer Michael Ossi confirmed the cause of death as a seizure (CBS News)
The story became a major news event, prompting extensive media coverage
John Travolta testified in a subsequent extortion case in the Bahamas (ABC News)

Bottom line: Jett Travolta’s death was a tragic seizure event. The family’s decision not to order an autopsy has left some medical questions unanswered, but the official record is clear: seizure.

What syndrome did Jett Travolta have?

Kawasaki disease

Jett was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease when he was about 2 years old (ABC News)
Kelly Preston linked his later seizure condition to this childhood illness (ABC News)

Autism spectrum disorder

John Travolta publicly acknowledged in court testimony in September 2009 that Jett was autistic (CBS News)
CBS News reported that Travolta said Jett had seizures every five to ten days (CBS News)
ABC News reported that the seizures lasted roughly 45 seconds to one minute, and Jett slept for about 12 hours afterward (ABC News)

The pattern: two serious conditions – Kawasaki disease and autism – each with known seizure risks, compounded Jett’s vulnerability.

How old would Jett Travolta be now?

Calculating his current age

Born April 13, 1992 in Daytona Beach, Florida (Good Morning America)
As of 2025, Jett would be 32 years old

Birthday tributes by John Travolta

Good Morning America reported that Travolta paid tribute on April 14, 2021, for Jett’s 29th birthday (Good Morning America)
E! News reported a birthday post in 2025 for what would have been Jett’s 33rd birthday (E! News)
In one post, Travolta wrote: “Happy birthday, Jet. I miss you so much. Love you forever.” (E! News via YouTube)

Why this matters

Each annual post keeps Jett’s name in public memory and signals that his father has found a way to grieve publicly, turning a private loss into a shared moment for fans.

What was Jett Travolta’s cause of death?

Seizure details

Official cause: seizure (CBS News)
ABC News reported that the incident involved a seizure and hitting his head in a bathtub (ABC News)

Role of Kawasaki disease and autism

Kawasaki disease can cause coronary artery aneurysms, which can later trigger seizures
Autism is associated with higher rates of seizure disorders – up to 30% of autistic individuals experience seizures
No autopsy was performed, so the exact mechanism remains unconfirmed (Wikinews)

The implication: the absence of an autopsy means the precise chain of events remains speculative, though the underlying conditions are well-documented.

How many biological children does John Travolta have?

Jett, Ella, and Benjamin

John Travolta has three biological children: Jett (1992-2009), Ella Bleu (born 2000), and Benjamin (born 2010) (E! News)

Family timeline after Jett’s death

Benjamin was born in November 2010, nearly two years after Jett’s death (E! News)
Kelly Preston gave birth to Benjamin, and the family has often spoken about the joy he brought after such a loss

Timeline of key events

Date	Event
April 13, 1992	Jett Travolta born in Daytona Beach, Florida
1994	Diagnosed with Kawasaki disease
2000	Sister Ella Bleu Travolta born
January 2, 2009	Jett dies at age 16 in Freeport, Bahamas after a seizure
November 2010	Brother Benjamin Travolta born
2021	John Travolta posts 29th birthday tribute for Jett
2025	John Travolta posts 33rd birthday tribute for Jett

The timeline shows a family marked by both tragedy and resilience, with public tributes emerging years after the loss.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

Jett Travolta died on January 2, 2009 from a seizure
He had Kawasaki disease as a child
He was autistic (family statement)
John Travolta has three biological children

What remains unclear

Whether autism was formally diagnosed or only reported
Exact trigger of the seizure
Role of Scientology in medical decisions

“Happy birthday, Jet. I miss you so much. Love you forever.”

John Travolta, birthday tribute (2025), via E! News via YouTube

“Kelly Preston said she believed Jett was autistic and had seizures, and linked his condition to Kawasaki syndrome.”

ABC News reporting, ABC News

Editor’s note

The absence of an autopsy and the family’s private handling of Jett’s medical history mean that some details – especially the exact seizure trigger – will likely never be known to the public.

The implication: what is known comes largely from court testimony and family interviews, providing a clear but incomplete picture.

Additional sources

abcnews.com, youtube.com, en.wikinews.org, facebook.com, facebook.com, abacentersfl.com, reddit.com

Frequently asked questions

Did Jett Travolta have siblings?

Yes. Jett had a younger sister, Ella Bleu Travolta (born 2000), and a younger brother, Benjamin Travolta (born 2010).

What is Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease is a condition that causes inflammation in the walls of blood vessels, particularly coronary arteries. It can lead to aneurysms and, in some cases, trigger seizures later in life.

Was Jett Travolta in any movies?

Jett did not appear in any films or television shows. He lived a private life away from the Hollywood spotlight.

Where is Jett Travolta buried?

The family has kept burial details private. No public memorial site has been officially disclosed.

How did John Travolta honor Jett?

John Travolta posts annual birthday tributes on social media, dedicates films to his memory, and has supported autism and epilepsy awareness initiatives.

What is the connection between Jett Travolta and Lisa Marie Presley?

No direct connection. Both are celebrity children who died young, but their families and circumstances are unrelated.

Did Jett Travolta have a wife?

No. Jett died at age 16 and never married.