Olivia Newton-John — famed actress, Grammy winner and Eurovision 1974 singer for the United Kingdom — has passed away at the age of 73.
Her husband John Easterling confirmed the news in a statement.
“Dame Olivia Newton-John 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.”
“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 Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund.“
“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.”
The British-born star — who was raised in Australia — is perhaps best-known globally for portraying Sandy Olsson in the 1978 blockbuster Grease.
Before hitting stardom opposite John Travolta, Newton-John represented the UK in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Long Live Love”, finishing fourth, behind Swedish winners ABBA.
Her eponymous studio album was released the same year, and its US edition If You Love Me, Let Me Know topped the Billboard 200 chart.
She first battled and overcame breast cancer back in 1992. She later founded the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia, to help patients fighting cancer and also to help find a cure for the disease.
In 2013 the “Banks of the Ohio” hitmaker revealed that her cancer had returned. After going into remission, it returned for a third time in 2017.
At the time doctors had discovered a tumour in her lower back. This was the result of stage four breast cancer that had spread to the spine.
At the time she said: “I’d be lying if I said I never get scared. But my husband’s always there…I believe I will get over it.”
Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.
Freda from abba said her singing and personality will always remain with us and so say all of us
Today sad news from Finland. Vesa Matti Loiri died today. Very unrated 1980 finnish esc
song Huilumies. Great song with great text!!! RIP
Today sad news from Finland. Vesa MattiLoiri died today. Very unrated 1980 finnish esc
song Huilumies. Great song with great text!!! RIP
May Olivia rest in peace and I think that next year eurovision should be a tribute show for everyone who has passed away
Of course. But it would be an even longer night if they have to start back in 1956.
This is why I feel Eurovision should honour our fallen heroes with a “Those we have lost” segment every contest now. Would be a fitting tribute like they do in the Oscars etc. Long Live Love Olivia….R.I.P.
Agree. Maybe they will do a tribute to her at 2023 contest in Swindon.
What a sad news, May she rest in peace. My condoleances to her family and friends
What a wonderful lady – such a talent and beauty as well as spirit and heroism while facing a terrible illness.
Makes me so sad.
Long live love !
Olivia gave us a lot of good music, but maybe the stoic way she carried on with life through her illness is the most admirable thing she did. An example for us to follow. Today is a sad day.
I just listened to “Immortality” from Liv On, an album about death she did in 2017 with Amy Sky and Beth Nielsen Chapman. Tears.
What a shame. I knew she had been in ill health for a long time but I was just watching a live video of her performing “Magic” in the ’80s and was astounded at how well she could take over a stage back in her prime. She was so full of life that it’s shocking to think she’s gone. But while “Long Live Love” isn’t really a feather in either the UK’s or Olivia’s hats (this is no disrespect to the dead – Olivia herself thought it sucked even at the time), she attacked it with poise and showed that… Read more »
What do you think of Angel Eyes, the song she actually wanted for Brighton?
I haven’t heard it but I’m sure it’s good
It is. Probably still wouldn’t have beaten ABBA, though.
Dani from France was favourite to win ESC 1974. Maybe Italy would win, because France ,Sweden wou?d split same votes
That Dani song was nothing special…
Yes I see a star deserved 2nd place long long live love very good song Bit better than angel eyes which was also a good song strange coincidence sandie Shaw lulu and Olivia not the biggest fans of the songs they sang far from it in 2 cases
This is one of the few celebrity deaths that makes me absolutely devastated! She meant so much to me and my childhood, with Grease being playing in our household over and over again! RIP, Olivia! You will be sorely missed! ?
Long Live Your Love Olivia x Thank you for representing us