Dame Olivia Newton-John has died from breast cancer at the age of 73.
Newton-John passed away at her Southern California home, with the news confirmed by her husband. In a statement posted online, Newton-John’s widower, John Easterling, wrote: “Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time. “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.
“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.”
The British-born, Australian-raised singer, actress and entertainer was best known for her enduring lead role of Sandy in the 1978 musical Grease, opposite John Travolta.
Grease became the highest-grossing musical film ever at the time, with Newton-John’s rendition of ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ also nominated for an Academy Award for best original song.
Her co-star in that film, Travolta has taken to Instagram, writing: “My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better.
Newton-John passed away at her Southern California home, with the news confirmed by her husband. In a statement posted online, Newton-John’s widower, John Easterling, wrote: “Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time. “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.
“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.”
The British-born, Australian-raised singer, actress and entertainer was best known for her enduring lead role of Sandy in the 1978 musical Grease, opposite John Travolta.
Grease became the highest-grossing musical film ever at the time, with Newton-John’s rendition of ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ also nominated for an Academy Award for best original song.
Her co-star in that film, Travolta has taken to Instagram, writing: “My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better.
“Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. “Yours from the moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!” In later life, Newton-John had become a vocal campaigner for better research and treatment into cancer and its effects and had set up the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Research Centre in Melbourne.View this post on Instagram
