Olivia Newton-John died at age 73. The star’s husband, John Easterling, confirmed the news on Newton-John’s social media channels on August 8, writing that the actress “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.”
The post continued, “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 lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the @onjfoundation.”
According to PEOPLE, the singer and actress died of breast cancer. TMZ was first to report the news.
The Grammy-winning singer and actress was beloved by many thanks to her hit roles as Sandy in Grease and Kira in Xanadu. In 2017, she revealed that she had stage 4 breast cancer that has metastasized to the sacrum. She previously battled a bout with breast cancer in 1992, and again in 2007 which went into remission. She also had cancer in her shoulder in 2013.
In February 2021, she told People that she was “feeling great,” in part, thanks to the medicinal marijuana her husband grew. She later told the Today Show, “I have my days, I have my pains, but the cannabis that my husband grows for me has been such a huge part of my healing, and so I’m a really lucky person,” she told host Hoda Kotb. (Easterling launched the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, which supports research into plant medicine for cancer.) The icon also opened the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre, to help others battling cancer.
Newton-John was born in Cambridge before moving to Australia as a child. She began performing in the group, Pat & Olivia, before going solo. Her first three albums in the early ’70s, If Not For You, Olivia, and Let Me Be There, were successes. She won a Grammy Award in 1973 for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Let Me Be There.” She won Record of the Year in 1974 for ‘I Honestly Love You.” And won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the same song. She was nominated for a Grammy 12 times and won again in 1982 for Video of the Year for Olivia Physical.
She skyrocketed to fame when she transitioned into acting starring in Grease, alongside John Travolta, in 1978. In 1980 she landed another lead role in Xanadu.
On Instagram, the post written by her husband concluded, “Olivia is survived by her husband John Easterling; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; nieces and nephews Tottie, Fiona and Brett Goldsmith; Emerson, Charlie, Zac, Jeremy, Randall, and Pierz Newton-John; Jude Newton-Stock, Layla Lee; Kira and Tasha Edelstein; and Brin and Valerie Hall.”
