Topline
Actress and singer Olivia Newton-John, known for her roles in classic movies like Grease and Xanadu, died Monday at age 73, her husband John Easterling announced in a statement on Facebook.
Actresses and co-stars Stockard Channing, left, and Olivia Newton-John ready themselves for their … [+]
Key Facts
Easterling did not name a cause of death, but noted Newton-John “has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.”
Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer for a third time in 2017, when it reached Stage 4.
She is survived by Easterling and her daughter with her former husband, Chloe Lattanzi.
Her Grease co-star John Travolta wrote in tribute to her “you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible.”
Key Background
Newton-John, who grew up in Australia, first became known as a singer, releasing albums like If Not For You and Let Me Be There. She became a household name in the U.S. in 1978 after starring in Grease as Sandy alongside Travolta. The film’s soundtrack became wildly popular, including Newton-John’s songs “Summer Nights,” “You’re The One That I Want” and “Hopelessly Devoted To You.” The movie helped to revive her music career, and in 1981 she released the song and album “Physical.” She won four Grammy awards in her career, including for the video for the tune, and for the song “I Honestly Love You.” Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. After spending 25 years in remission, the cancer returned in 2013, and again in 2017. It spread to her back, and she had to learn to walk again. She launched the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund to finance research into plant-based and holistic cancer therapies, and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Australia. “I think every day is a blessing,” she told The Guardian in 2020. “You never know when your time is over; we all have a finite amount of time on this planet, and we just need to be grateful for that.”
Further Reading
Olivia Newton-John, ‘Grease’ Star and ‘Physical’ Singer, Dies at 73 (Variety)
Olivia Newton-John Dead at 73: The Star and ‘Grease’ Icon Dies of Breast Cancer (People)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/08/08/olivia-newton-john-dead-at-age-73/