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Saturday, March 30, 2024

Australia’s sweetheart Olivia Newton-John… gone too soon

Tributes have poured in today for legendary Australian star, Olivia Newton-John, after she passed away peacefully this morning following a 30-year battle with breast cancer.

“[She] passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” a statement posted to her Facebook page read.

“We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta circa 1979 in New York City.

Olivia’s Grease co-star John Travolta was among the first to take to social media to pay tribute to the much-loved singer and actress.

“My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better,” the actor posted on Instagram.

“Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!”

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta attend The Academy Presents “Grease” 40th Anniversary in 2018.

Austin health, who operates the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre in Heidelberg, Victoria, released a statement saying staff were deeply saddened to learn of Dame Olivia’s passing.

“Olivia touched the lives of many people across Australia and the world, but none more so than our cancer services staff and patients at the Olivia Newton-John Centre, who she encouraged, inspired and supported every day,” the Centre said in a statement.

“We are incredibly grateful for the special relationship we had with Olivia for many years. Her generous support and gift provided hope and changed the lives of thousands of cancer patients here at Austin Health. She was the light at the end of the tunnel for many, many people.

“Since the ONJ Centre opened, thousands of cancer patients have come through the doors and accessed the world-leading services. Olivia’s dream was supporting people with cancer … through supportive wellness therapies. She found them so helpful to her journey that she wanted everyone to have access to them.

“Olivia was a driving force to win over cancer, for treating the whole person and looking after their mind, spirit and body. Having the opportunity to meet Olivia was a joy, her kindness and light was irrepressible.”

Is said the Centre had been her dream, and staff were proud of everything that had been achieved together.

“We will continue our work to honour her legacy.”

Daughter Chloe Lattanzi, husband John Easterling and Olivia in 2019.

“We’re planning a memorial service so that staff, patients and their families can pay their respects to Olivia. We’ll provide more details soon.

“Our thoughts are with Olivia’s family, friends and her legion of fans across the world during this difficult time.”

Born in Cambridge, in the UK, in 1948, Newton-John migrated to Melbourne with her family at the age of six, where she attended Christ Church Grammar School in South Yarra.

Her father Brinley Newton-John, a former MI5 officer, died of cancer in 1992. Olivia was first diagnosed with cancer in the same weekend that her father died.

Her decades-long fight included a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and breast reconstruction. By 2020, she was facing stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, her third bout with the disease.

In addition to her husband, John Easterling, she is survived by her daughter, Chloe Rose Lattanzi; her sister, Sarah Newton-John; and her brother, Toby. 

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