Andre Porter on August 8, 2022
Olivia Newton-John, the Australian singer who developed a massive following with her chart-topping hits “Physical,” “Have You Never Been Mellow” and “You’re the One That I Want,” her Grease duet with John Travolta, has died. She was 73 years old.
Newton-John died Monday morning at her ranch in Southern California, Her husband, John Easterling, announced on Facebook.
“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer,” he wrote. “Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.”
Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. She announced in May 2017 that the disease had spread to her lower back. After 25 years in remission, In August 2018, she canceled a two-date tour just three weeks after announcing it.
A country-pop and soft-rock sensation in the 1970s and ’80s with girl-next-door appeal, Newton-John sold more than 100 million albums and had nearly 40 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 during her five decades in music. Her popularity, however, reached another milestone when she was hired to play Sandy Olsson opposite Travolta as Danny Zuko in Grease in 1978, Paramount’s adaptation of the musical that had debuted on Broadway in 1972 and would run for nearly 3,400 performances.
John also supported various charities and environmental concerns. Survivors include her husband, whom she married in 2008; her daughter Chloe, with whom she collaborated on the dance song “You Have to Believe”; sister Sarah; brother Toby; and nieces and nephews Tottie, Fiona, Brett, Emerson, Charlie, Zac, Jeremy, Randall, Pierz, Jude, Layla, Kira, Tasha, Brin and Valerie. RIP.
