British-Australian Singer, Actor, Activist Olivia Newton-John Passes Away At 73

Australian singer, actor, and activist Olivia Newton-John passed away on August 8. She was one of the biggest pop stars from the 70s who became a household name after the blockbuster hit Grease. 

A statement released by her husband John Easterling on Instagram read, “Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California, surrounded by family and friends.” 

The caption on her account further read, “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.” It further stated that her pioneering experience with plant-based medicines would continue to serve the patients through the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, an organisation dedicated to research and development of plant medicine and cancer.

The famous singer-actor is survived by her husband and daughter Chloe Lattanzi.

Personal Life

Image Courtesy: Instagram/therealonj

Born in 1948 in the UK, Newton-John was among the youngest of her siblings. Her maternal grandfather was Max Born, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist. When she was only six, her family settled in Melbourne, Australia. 

Career Highlights

Debut

The singer started working when she was 14. She formed a Sol Four group with her classmates and used to perform in a coffee shop. Later, she was a regular at Time for Terry and The Happy Show, both Australian Television shows. 

First Solo Album

Newton-John’s first solo album was released in 1971. It was called If Not For You. It soon became an international hit. Later, her solo Banks of the Ohio ranked among the top 10 hits in Australia and the UK. Record Mirror, a British Magazine voted her the Best British Female Vocalist for two consecutive years.

Fame In America & Canada 

Image Courtesy: Instagram/therealonj

Apart from the UK and Australia, Newton-John found success as a singer (top female singers in India) in the US and Canada. In America, her music even sparked debate among purists. In 1974, she earned the title of the Country Music Association Female Vocalist for Let Me Be There. She was also awarded a Grammy for it.

Australian singer Helen Reddy encouraged her to move to the US. Her album Have You Ever Been Mellow topped Country and Pop charts for weeks. She even delivered five back-to-back singles that ranked on the Billboard Hot 100.

She was also the second woman to have her two consecutive singles ranked on Billboard among the top five. 

Acting Career

Newton-John achieved success as an actor after she starred in a film adaptation of Grease, a Broadway Musical. She received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress for Hopefully Devoted To You. It was the second highest-grossing film after Titanic on its opening weekend. 

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Role Of An Activist

Newton-John was an activist who participated in protests against Dolphin slaughter in Japan. She became the National Spokesperson for the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition.

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After battling cancer, she raised funds for building Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Australia. She embarked on a 228km long walk along the Great Wall of China, where several celebrities joined her and other cancer survivors. It symbolised the steps a patient battling cancer must take on the road to recovery.

The singer had given several hits and will always remain in our hearts. May her soul rest in peace.