Olivia Newton-John, four-time Grammy-winning singer, activist, and Grease star, has died at the age of 73. Find out about her funeral arrangements and what her costars had to say in tribute.
Olivia Newton-John, pop singer and ‘Grease’ star, dies at 73
Olivia Newton-John, who first rose to fame as one of the world’s most beloved singers, has passed away at her home in Southern California at the age of 73 after a thirty-year battle with cancer.
Olivia’s death was announced by her husband John Easterling on Facebook on Monday, the Daily Mail reported.
Olivia Newton-John was born in Cambridge, England, on September 26, 1948. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. In May 2017, she revealed that after 25 years in remission, the disease had spread to her lower back.
“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer,” Easterling wrote on Facebook.” Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.”
Olivia Newton-John’s family accepts offer of state funeral
Tottie Goldsmith, Olivia Newton-John’s niece, said on Monday that the family has been offered a state funeral for the singer and activist, and they plan to accept, People reported.
The premier of the Australian state of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, confirmed on Tuesday the government is offering a state funeral to celebrate Newton-John’s “amazing contributions.”
Olivia Newton-John’s career highlights
Musically, Olivia Newton-John is best known for her chart-topping hits “Physical,” “Have You Never Been Mellow,” and “You’re the One That I Want,” her Grease duet with John Travolta.
In her musical career, Olivia Newton-John was a four-time Grammy award winner. She scored five number one hits, as well as ten top-ten hits on the Billboard hot 100, as well as two number one albums on the Billboard 200. Fourteen of her albums were certified gold, including two that went platinum and four that reached 2X platinum. Eleven of her singles also went gold, including two that went platinum. Overall, Olivia Newton-John was one of the best-selling music artists in the second half of the 20th century to the present.
As an actress, Olivia Newton-John has 90 acting credits, but she is best known for her role in the musicals Grease (1978) and Xanadu (1980). She also appeared in the 1997 film Face/off, which starred John Travolta and Nicholas Cage.
Olivia Newton-John’s activism and philanthropy
While many around the world know Olivia Newton-John for her singing and acting career, not everyone is aware of her profound dedication to activism and philanthropy.
She established the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital and promoted the LIV-KIT device for breast cancer detection, LADBible reported.
Olivia’s philanthropic work garnered her many honors, including being appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia (OA), a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme, named a National Living Treasure by the National Trust of Australia, and bestowed an Order of the British Empire (OBE) honor by Queen Elizabeth II.
‘Grease’ stars pay tribute to Olivia Newton-John
Olivia’s frequent costar John Travolta wrote a moving tribute after her death on Instagram.
“My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better,” Travolta wrote. “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 first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!”
“I don’t know if I’ve known a lovelier human being,” fellow Grease star Stockard Channing shared in a statement to E! News. “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.”
