Forever loved and remembered for her role as Sandy in Grease, UK, and Australian singing sensation Olivia Newton-John passed away at 73.
Tributes have flowed in, including her co-star from Grease, John Travolta, who is quoted on his Instagram page, “My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better… Your impact was incredible. I love you so much.”
Born in Cambridge, England, Olivia, and her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, when she was six years old.
When she was 14, Newton-John formed a girl band called Sol Four and appeared on several variety television shows. As luck had it, they appeared on the television show The Go! Show and that was the moment her life changed. She met singer Pat Carroll and producer John Farrar.
In 1965 she won a talent contest on Australian television called Sing, Sing, Sing, hosted by Australian singing legend Johnny O’Keefe. The prize was a trip to the UK, and she and Carroll appeared together and won; and reaching the UK is when Newton-John’s career really took off.
In 1974 Olivia Newton-John appeared on Eurovision Song Contest and released her chart-topping song I Honestly Love You.
1978 was a career-defining moment when Olivia Newton-John landed the role of Sandy Olsson in Grease. This performance was pivotal to her ongoing fame. The film was a worldwide hit, teaming her with teen heartthrob John Travolta.
Following the success of Grease, Newton-John was signed to play opposite film legend Gene Kelly in Xanadu, a camp sensation based around rollerskating. The film was a flop but helped enhance Olivia’s singing career.
In 1981 Olivia Newton-John released Physical, which became an international hit. It resulted in a global world tour attended by millions and winning a Grammy in 1982.
Olivia Newton-John married Matt Lattanzi in 1984, and they met while on the set of Xanadu. Two years later, Newton-John gave birth to daughter Chloe Rose Lattanzi.
In 1992 tragedy struck as Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the disease went into remission.
Following her successful treatment, she went on to raise funds and help set up the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center at Austin Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, in 2008.
In 2019 she became a Dame for her work championing the treatment of people living with cancer. Her ongoing tireless support in raising needed funds to help people suffering from the disease deserved to be recognized.
The disease would return in 2013 and again go into remission before returning for a final time in 2017 and had spread into her bones, which finally would claim her life.
Friends and family best remember Olivia Newton-John as a kind, generous soul.
But the most telling post is the final line of John Travolta’s post on Instagram.
“Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever!… Your Danny, your John!”
