Olivia Newton-John Dies at Age 73
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Olivia Newton-John, the singer and actress perhaps best known for her role as Sandy in Grease, died on Monday.
In a statement shared on her Facebook page, her family 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."
Newton-John, born in England to Brinley Newton-John and Irene Helene Born, moved to Australia when she was six years old. At age 14, she joined a girl group, but quickly began a solo career. She released her first solo album If Not For You in 1971, and in 1974, she represented the U.K. at Eurovision (she finished in fourth; Sweden's entry, "Waterloo" by ABBA, won that year).
In 1978, she starred in Grease alongside John Travolta, catapulting her to worldwide fame. Yet, she didn't keep acting; she kept releasing music, and in 1981, debuted her most successful album, Physical.
Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, and it returned in 2017 and again in 2018. This past fall, she revealed she was battling Stage 4 breast cancer.
"Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer," her family wrote. "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 Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund."
Newton-John is survived by her husband John Easterling, daughter Chloe Lattanzi, sister Sarah Newton-John, and brother Toby Newton-John.
You Might Also Like
