Widower John Travolta Watched 18-Years-Older Lover Die in His Arms — He Raised Her Little Son Yet Lost Custody

John Travolta is an acclaimed actor, and while many fans know about his Hollywood success, few are aware of the tragedies he faced. Travolta lost his precious wife to cancer in 2020, but that wasn’t the first time he bid farewell to someone special.

Travolta rose to fame thanks to breakout roles in “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease,” but his greatest joy wasn’t found on the screen—he found it in the arms of Kelly Preston, a renowned actress.

The pair were inseparable and spent 29 years together in marital bliss. Sadly, the actor had to say goodbye to the love of his life in 2020 after she lost her battle with cancer. Few people know that this was not Travolta’s first heartbreak.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston in Los Angeles at The Plitt Theatre, 1990. | Source: Getty Images

The actor fell in love with Diana Hyland after working together on the “Boy in the Plastic Bubble” set. Despite a significant age gap, the couple adored each other, and Travolta was genuinely smitten. He said:

“I thought I was in love before, but I wasn’t. From the moment I met her, I was attracted. We were like two maniacs talking all the time on the set of Bubble. After a month, it became romantic.”

Amid their romance, Hyland was facing a challenging time in private. She had cancer and underwent a mastectomy, hoping it would grant her another chance at life. But fate had other plans, and the 41-year-old actress sadly passed away in 1997.

John Travolta and Diana Hyland in Los Angeles on December 8th 1976. | Source: Getty Images

The moment Hyland took her last breath was unforgettable for Travolta, who held her in his arms. He was only 23 at the time, but the experience touched him forever, and he shared:

“I felt the breath go out of her.”

The actor was heartbroken and mourned Hyland’s loss, admitting he would have married her if she had not passed away. The actor found a way to stay connected to Hyland—through her young son, Zachary Goodson.

The little boy grew close to Travolta, and the actor hoped they could create a life, cherishing the memory of Hyland together.

Travolta’s Special Bond with Hyland’s Son

Travolta stepped in when his lover passed away and acted as a father figure for her sweet son. Hyland’s little boy was only four, and like any child, he needed love and affection.

The Hollywood actor was happy and willing to be there for Goodson. Before Hyland’s passing, Travolta raised the youngster alongside her and enjoyed getting to know him.

Understandably, after the actress died, Travolta wanted to support her son. He hoped to gain custody of the child, but it didn’t work out as planned.

Actor John Travolta with actress Diana Hyland and her child, Zachary Goodson in 1977. | Source: Getty Images

While Travolta was in Goodson’s life, he bought the youngster a bicycle, taught him to ride it, and took him on camping trips. They forged a special relationship, and the youngster looked up to and loved the actor.

Goodson was immensely grateful for the many treasured childhood memories he was granted because of Travolta, and he recalled:

“He was a wonderful man. And from my memory, he just loved me to pieces.”

Actor John Travolta with actress Diana Hyland and her child, Zachary Goodson in 1977. | Source: Getty Images

Goodson revealed that he had a unique childhood and spent his time going between Travolta and his biological father. While he had a great time with the actor, things were very different when he was with his dad.

Goodson’s father struggled with addiction, and the youngster had a challenging time living and growing up under his roof in Los Angeles, Lake Arrowhead.

Actor John Travolta with actress Diana Hyland and her child, Zachary Goodson in 1977. | Source: Getty Images

Travolta fought to gain custody of Goodson, and the actor’s sister even tried to assist him. They cared deeply for the youngster and wanted the best for him. Travolta hoped he would win custody and looked forward to having Goodson live with him.

To his disappointment, Travolta lost the custody battle, and the guardianship went to Goodson’s father “naturally.”

The actor and Goodson were separated, but their relationship did not end there. The two stayed in contact for many years and regularly checked in.

Travolta Stayed In Contact with His Lover’s Son

Travolta’s fame took flight as he became a household name in Hollywood, but he never forgot about his lover’s son. The pair maintained a healthy relationship that spanned decades.

Travolta knew Goodson struggled to live with his biological father, and he did everything possible to ensure the growing man had someone he could depend on. He was always just a phone call away, and Goodson sang the actor’s praises during an interview in 2016.

The actor was present in the good and bad times, never letting Goodson down. Goodson undoubtedly had a special place in Travolta’s heart, and the actor was honored to attend his wedding.

He bawled like a baby on their big day, displaying just how much love and care he had for him. A year after the wedding, Travolta celebrated Goodson’s anniversary alongside him and his wife, thrilled to see Hyland’s son thriving and happy.

Goodson’s life wasn’t easy, and he faced his fair share of pain and tragedy, but thanks to Travolta, he knew he always had someone in his corner.

According to his bio, Hyland’s son became a writer and mental health coach, creating a wonderful life for himself. He was also a proud husband and father, hoping to use his personal experiences to make a difference in the world.

One paragraph from his bio shared his noble mission for the future:

“My work is dedicated to helping people like you uncover who you really are, move from fear to empowerment, and discover how truly powerful you are. ”

Perhaps without knowing, actor John Travolta forever impacted one young man’s life. Teaching him to ride a bike and being present at his wedding were two simple actions, but they meant the world to Goodson.

On the writer’s Instagram page, he mentioned Travolta and shared a heartwarming video of the star winning an Emmy. It was captioned:

“39 years ago, John accepted an Emmy on behalf of my mother, who had just passed away. Tonight he got one of his own, and I couldn’t be happier for him. Diana was smiling down on you tonight JT!”