John Travolta, a Hollywood icon, is as well-known for his captivating on-screen presence as he is for his intriguing personal life, particularly his romantic relationships. A recurring theme throughout Travolta’s dating history is his penchant for connecting with his co-stars. Beyond his deeply cherished and enduring marriage to the late Kelly Preston, Travolta’s romantic journey includes a tapestry of connections, some well-known, others perhaps forgotten by even his most devoted fans.
From a deeply impactful relationship with Diana Hyland, a woman almost two decades his senior, which ended in tragedy, to a lengthy on-again-off-again romance with Marilu Henner, and recent whispers of a connection with his Cash Out co-star Kristin Davis, John Travolta’s relationships offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of a star. This article delves into the timeline of John Travolta’s relationships, exploring the women he has been romantically linked with since the 1970s.
Anita Gillette: A Brief Encounter (1976)
Anita Gillette in 1976, smiling warmly, highlighting her brief romantic link to John Travolta.
Anita Gillette (1976)
In the mid-1970s, John Travolta’s name began to circulate in celebrity circles as a rising star. During this period, in 1976, he was briefly linked to Anita Gillette. According to reports from sources like WhosDatedWho, their connection was a fleeting romance, lasting only a few months. Details about their time together are scarce, keeping this relationship a relatively unknown chapter in Travolta’s dating history.
Diana Hyland: A Profound and Tragic Love (1976-1977)
Diana Hyland and John Travolta in "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble", portraying their on-screen and off-screen connection.
Diana Hyland (1976-1977)
Following his brief relationship with Anita Gillette, John Travolta entered into a deeply significant romance with Diana Hyland, his co-star from The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. Their relationship, which began in 1976, occurred when Travolta was 23 and Hyland was 41, highlighting a notable age difference.
Travolta openly expressed the depth of his feelings for Hyland. In a 1977 interview with People Magazine, he declared, “I have never been more in love with anyone in my life… From the moment I met her, I was attracted… I had more fun with Diana than I ever had in my life.” Their bond was intense and appeared to be heading towards a long-term commitment.
Tragically, their love story was cut short when Hyland passed away in 1977 due to breast cancer. Despite a demanding schedule, Travolta remained by her side during her final days. He later shared that they had plans to live together and marry, underscoring the seriousness and depth of their relationship. Hyland’s passing was a profound loss for Travolta, marking a poignant chapter in his personal life.
Marilu Henner: A Long-Term, On-Again-Off-Again Romance (1978-1989)
Marilu Henner smiling warmly, representing her long and complex relationship with John Travolta.
Marilu Henner (1978-1989)
In 1978, John Travolta began a relationship with Marilu Henner, a fellow actress and friend. Although they initially met in 1974 during the musical Over Here, their romantic connection sparked in 1978 after they reunited for Grease on Broadway. Their relationship was characterized by its on-again-off-again nature, spanning a remarkable 13 years, as noted by For Woman First.
Henner spoke fondly of Travolta in an interview with KLTA, stating, “He’s just a great guy. I adore him… We connected right away because we both have three sisters and two brothers. His mother taught drama, my mother taught dance… So, we had a lot of commonality.” This shared background and mutual adoration formed a strong basis for their enduring, albeit fluctuating, relationship.
Speculation arose over the years regarding the depth of their commitment, with rumors suggesting they lived together and may have even been engaged at some point. Regardless of the specifics, their long-term involvement underscores a significant chapter in both of their lives.
Catherine Deneuve: A Brief Public Fling (1980)
Catherine Deneuve in 1980, an image reflecting her brief romantic connection with John Travolta.
Catherine Deneuve (1980)
In 1980, John Travolta was briefly linked to the iconic French actress Catherine Deneuve. During this time, they were seen together in public on several occasions, suggesting a romantic connection. However, their fling was short-lived, and details remain scarce, making it a minor, yet noteworthy, episode in Travolta’s dating history.
Brooke Shields: A Public Relations Romance (1981)
Brooke Shields in 1981, representing her orchestrated PR relationship with John Travolta.
Brooke Shields (1981)
In 1981, John Travolta engaged in a brief, strategically orchestrated public relationship with Brooke Shields. Shields, who was 16 at the time, and Travolta, then 27, were encouraged to date by Shields’ mother for public relations purposes. Travolta agreed to the arrangement, and they went on a few dates, as detailed in Shields’ 2014 memoir, There Was a Little Girl: The Real Story of My Mother and Me. This relationship is notable for its transparently promotional nature, highlighting the pressures and manipulations within Hollywood’s celebrity dating scene.
Kelly Preston: A Love Story for the Ages (1991-2020)
Kelly Preston and John Travolta in a loving embrace, celebrating their long and cherished marriage.
Kelly Preston (1991-2020)
The most significant and enduring relationship in John Travolta’s life was undoubtedly with Kelly Preston. They first crossed paths on the set of The Experts in 1987. Intriguingly, Preston had previously mentioned that Travolta was her celebrity crush, making their eventual romance seem almost fated.
Their relationship progressed rapidly, culminating in marriage in 1991. According to People, Travolta proposed to Preston on New Year’s Eve of 1991, and they married within months at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris. Their marriage blossomed into a family, with the birth of their son Jett in 1992, followed by daughter Ella Bleu in 2000, and son Benjamin in 2010.
Their journey together was marked by both immense joy and profound sorrow. The tragic loss of their son Jett in 2009 was a significant hardship, and later, Preston’s battle with breast cancer ultimately led to her passing in 2020. Their nearly three-decade marriage stands as a testament to a deep and lasting love, widely admired in Hollywood and beyond.
Kristin Davis: Recent Rumors of a Budding Romance (2024)
Kristin Davis smiling, amidst rumors of a potential romance with John Travolta.
Kristin Davis (2024)
Most recently, in 2024, John Travolta has been linked to Kristin Davis, his co-star in the film Cash Out. Reports suggest a mutual attraction developed between the two while filming. According to Closer Weekly, insiders have indicated that Travolta is “smitten” with Davis, and Davis has spoken positively about Travolta, describing him as “cool” and “funny.”
While neither Travolta nor Davis has confirmed or denied these romantic rumors, sources suggest that their friends believe they would be a “perfect” match. Whether this rumored connection will evolve into a confirmed relationship remains to be seen, but it adds another chapter to John Travolta’s ongoing romantic narrative, once again involving a co-star connection.
Conclusion
John Travolta’s relationship history reveals a pattern of attraction and connection, often sparked on set with his co-stars. From the tragic intensity of his love for Diana Hyland to the enduring love he shared with Kelly Preston, and the more fleeting romances in between, Travolta’s love life has been as captivating as his cinematic career. The recent rumors surrounding Kristin Davis suggest this pattern of co-star connections may continue, keeping fans and media alike intrigued by the romantic journey of this Hollywood legend.
