John Travolta’s wife Kelly Preston to speak about their son’s death

NEW YORK - John Travolta’s wife Kelly Preston is to speak publicly about the death of their son Jett for the first time.

Jett died suddenly after a seizure at the age of 16 in January while he was on holiday with his family in the Bahamas, and Kelly, 46, is to speak about their loss at the California Governor’s Conference for Women in October, People reports.

“If she can empower one other woman who feels like they can’t get out of bed, or get through the day, whatever the loss, it’ll be worthwhile sharing her story,” the New York Daily News quoted Maria Shriver, the conference host, as saying.

It has taken Kelly some time to decide whether she is ready to take part in the conference.

“She has been thinking about this for a couple of months. I asked her to speak and she knew about the conference and decided if she was only going to speak once, it would be here. She wants the conversation to be about more than just her,” Shriver said.

Preston is one of three women on the “Grief and Resilience” panel, which also includes Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Vice President candidate John Edwards, and actress Susan St. James. All three have experienced the loss of a son.

Shriver believes the panel will help a broad range of women, whether they’re coping with the loss of a child, the loss of a job or the loss of a marriage. Kate Gosselin, another guest on the list, is, of course, familiar with the latter. (ANI)