Dame Olivia Newton-John, best known for her role in the film musical Grease, has died at the age of 73, her husband confirmed.
In a statement posted on social media, Olivia Newton-John’s widower John Easterling stated: “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.”
In 2017, Newton-John announced the breast cancer she had initially suffered in 1992 had come back and had spread to her spine. She also revealed she’d had another cancer diagnosis in 2013 but had kept it quiet. Her cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Singer
The British-born Australian singer and actress enjoyed an extremely successful career within the entertainment industry but she gained the biggest success playing the role of Sandy Olsson in Grease, one of the most successful film musicals ever produced.
Released in 1978, Grease become the biggest box office hit of that year and led to Newton-John’s performance being nominated for various awards such as two Golden Globes. She also achieved three iconic hits singles from the film musical including Summer Nights and You Are The One That I Want. The chart-topping success continued in the following years with hits such as Xanadu and Let’s Get Physical in 1981.
She also became a key advocate for cancer research following her diagnosis in 1992, and her foundation, the Olivia Newton John Foundation, has raised millions of pounds of the years to help boost research.
Newton-John was rewarded for her work by being prized with a damehood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2020.
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Tributes
Tributes have been flooding in from several celebrities across the entertainment industry led by Grease co-stars.
John Travolta, known for his role as Danny Zuko in Grease, released a message on 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!”
Stockard Channing, who played Rizzo, said: “I don’t know if I’ve known a lovelier human being.
“Olivia was the essence of summer – her sunniness, her warmth and her grace are what always come to mind when I think of her. I will miss her enormously.”
Chloe Lattanzi, Olivia Newton-John’s daughter, paid tribute by posting a images of herself and her mother on Instagram.
Singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue posted on Twitter saying: “Since I was ten years old, I have loved and looked up to Olivia Newton John. And, I always will.
“She was, and always will be, an inspiration to me in so many, many ways. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. x ONJ4EVER.”
Piers Morgan paid tribute calling her “gutsy, warm & talented”.
U.S. TV personality Oprah Winfrey also paid her respects to Newton-John saying that her “positivity was just infectious”.
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