She was the idol of a whole generation worldwide. Because she was not only beautiful but, far beyond that, a really exceptional talent. She shone as an actress in front of the camera and as a musician on stage, Olivia Newton-John.
NEWTON-JOHN IN GREASE – A STAR IS BORN
Olivia Newton-John was born on September 26, 1948, in Cambridge, England. Her father was a German teacher, and her maternal grandfather was Max Born, a Nobel Prize winner who fled the Nazis. Aged 5, she made her way with her family to Australia.
Here and in the USA, she quickly became a music icon, which has gone through many genre changes over time, from country music and folk to pop and disco. In the 1970s, she was already an acclaimed musician, especially in the USA and Australia. However, Olivia Newton-John got her big breakthrough with the mega-hit Grease.
Alongside John Travolta, she not only shone on the big screen but also led the international charts with him and solo for weeks. The film and theater musical Xanadu followed. In contrast to the film itself, its songs were also chart toppers.
OLIVIA’S DAUGHTER CHLOE IS BORN
Besides, Olivia met the actor and future husband, Matt Lattanzi, on set. Therefore, for Newton-John, the real magic of the film was that her daughter Chloe was born. This year they both released this beautiful song together.
PHYSICAL – A STYLE ICON IS BORN
However, Olivia Newton-John’s career highlight came in 1981. With Physical, she not only stormed the charts again for weeks. Moreover, the album and her look at the time made Olivia Newton-John an absolute trendsetter.
Then, while she experienced the climax of her career, she always found the right tone for the respective time. It can be assumed that later music icons such as Madonna were also strongly inspired by the outstanding artist, especially during this phase.
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN SUFFERS FROM CANCER – A FIGHTER IS BORN
Then, exactly 30 years ago, in 1992, two hard blows of fate struck Olivia Newton-John. On the one hand, her father died. On the other hand, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. But Olivia Newton-John fought. After her recovery, however, she used her fame and notoriety to continue the fight against cancer.
GAIA IS REBORN
Olivia released “Gaia: One Woman’s Journey” in 1994. The album was a process of processing the ordeal she had endured.
Therefore, Gaia is the first album on which Newton-John wrote all the lyrics and all the music himself. Olivia also became co-owner of Gaia Retreat and Spa in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia. She also raised funds to help build the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center in Melbourne, Australia.
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN & THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA – A NEW HOPE IS BORN
In the spring of the same year, 2008, she led a three-week walk along the Great Wall of China. The total distance was 228 km.
Celebrities and cancer survivors followed her, to symbolize the steps cancer patients must take on the road to recovery.
Olivia Newton-John also appeared in the breast cancer docu-drama 1 a Minute (UniGlobe Entertainments). Filmed in October 2010 by actress Namrata Singh Gujral, the documentary featured celebrities who had survived or been affected by breast cancer.
Queen Elizabeth II was also impressed by the impressive woman. So she ennobled the world star with British roots on New Year 2020. The Queen honored Newton-John with the title Dame Commander of the British Empire.
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN DIES AGED 73
Olivia Newton-John was more than a great artist. She was, and always will be, an outstanding personality. Thus, many stars share their feelings on social networks today.
Since I was ten years old, I have loved and looked up to Olivia Newton John. And, I always will. (Just like this picture @nfsaonline) She was, and always will be, an inspiration to me in so many, many ways. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. x ONJ4EVER pic.twitter.com/3nE8PVDFLy
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) August 8, 2022
My great friend Olivia Newton John has passed away. She was the perfect Lady, gorgeous, with great poise and with a certain Aussie sophistication.
Her spandex trousers in Grease were my inspiration for my ‘Da ya think I’m Sexy‘ era.
RIP Olivia
Sir Rod pic.twitter.com/Suleq8JSkX— Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) August 8, 2022
We say goodbye to a wonderful woman and send our condolences to daughter Chloe and her husband John Easterling. R.I.P. Olivia Newton-John.
Text: Marco Kokkot
