Renowned Singer and Actress, Olivia Newton-John, Passes Away at 73
Key Takeaways:
- Renowned actress and singer Olivia Newton-John has passed away at the age of 73, as announced by her husband, John Easterling.
- Olivia fought cancer three times in her life, once in the 1990s, again in 2017, and finally, a cancer developing at her spine’s base in 2018.
- She had an illustrious career in music and film, best remembered for her role in the film “Grease.”
- Despite her battles with cancer, she continued to create music and perform live. She also became an advocate for research into plant-based cancer remedies.
- Olivia was born in Cambridge, England in 1948 and moved with her family to Melbourne, Australia, when she was 5 years old.
The eminent Australian artist, Olivia Newton-John, who left her indelible mark in pop music and the film industry during the ’70s and ’80s, best remembered for her portrayal in the sensational film “Grease,” breathed her last on a recent Monday.
A Peaceful Farewell
John Easterling, Newton-John’s beloved husband, in a message disseminated through the performer’s official Facebook profile, conveyed, “Dame Olivia Newton-John peacefully departed from this world at her Ranch nestled in Southern California. She was in the comfort of her close family members and trusted companions. We request everyone to respect our privacy in these testing times.”
He continued, “For over three decades, Olivia served as a beacon of victory and optimism, openly sharing her battle with breast cancer.”
Olivia’s Battle With Cancer
In the fall of 2018, the esteemed singer underwent treatment for cancer developing at the base of her spine. This count as her third encounter with the disease subsequent to her struggles with breast cancer, reported by multiple media outlets during the 1990s and again in 2017.
A Life in Limelight
Having achieved significant recognition as a pop star during the ’70s through her soft-rock and country hits like “I Honestly Love You,” and “Have You Never Been Mellow,” Newton-John’s popularity skyrocketed with her magnetic performance alongside John Travolta in “Grease” premiered in 1978.
“The persistent admiration for the movie spanning nearly four decades, the undying curiosity of people about it, and the everlasting joy it imparts, all have been unimaginable. I consider myself fortunate to have participated in it. The movie has genuinely delighted countless hearts,” Newton-John confessed in an interview in 2017.
Early Years and Family
The celebrated artist was born in the historical city of Cambridge, England, in 1948, and relocated with her family to Melbourne, Australia, aged just 5. Her maternal lineage boasts the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Born, while her father, hailing from Wales’, served as an MI5 intelligence officer during the second World War.
Triumph Amidst Tribulations
Throughout her life, Newton-John weathered numerous personal and professional challenges. The biggest battle was undoubtedly with breast cancer, leading to several postponed and even cancelled tours. In 2005, she was deeply saddened when her then-boyfriend, Patrick McDermott went missing while on a California fishing expedition.
Upon her breast cancer diagnosis in 1992, Newton-John began advocating for expansive research into the ailment. Her foundation, aimed at researching plant-based cancer remedies, exemplifies this commitment. In addition, she publicized a wellness facility and cancer research institute under her name at Austin Hospital on the outskirts of Melbourne.
Throughout her cancer journey, she never stopped creating music or performing live shows. “Singing is what I love, it’s all I know how to do,” she divulged in a 2017 interview. “I feel absolutely grateful that I can still perform and people still come to watch me.”
For Additional Information
To learn more about breast cancer, consider checking the detailed resources provided by the American Cancer Society here.
