Olivia Newton-John dies at age 73 after long battle with breast cancer

Olivia Newton-John has died at the age of 73 after a years-long battle with breast cancer. 

The actress passed away peacefully at her home in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Her husband John Easterling announced her death on her Facebook page. 

‘Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. 

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

‘Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. 

Olivia Newton-John, left, in one of her last public appearances in 2019. The actress died on Monday aged 73. She is shown, right, in her most iconic role in Grease in 1978 

Newton-John’s husband announced her death on her Facebook page on Monday. She was 73 

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in the iconic 1978 movie Grease that catapulted her career. He was among the first to pay tribute to her on Monday 

‘Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer,’ he said. 

Newton-John’s daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, posted this tribute to her days ago

The family asked for donations to be made to her cancer organization, the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, instead of flowers. 

She is survived by her 36-year-old daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, and her siblings. He did not confirm the cause of her death. 

Chloe posted a loving tribute to her mother on Instagram three days ago. ‘I worship this woman. My mother. My best friend,’ she said. 

The actress famously beat breast cancer twice but was diagnosed again in 2017. 

In a haunting interview with The Guardian in 2020, she said of the disease: ‘It’s been a part of my life for so long. I felt something was wrong. It’s concerning when it comes back, but I thought “I’ll get through it again”‘.

Born in England to an MI5 agent father, Newton-John and her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, when she was six. 

She returned to the UK as a teenager to pursue a singing career and starred in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. 

Her big break in Grease came four years later. She famously resisted the part, at first turning down producer Alan Carr because she thought she was too old for the role. 

When the movie was released, it was an immediate international hit. 

Newton-John’s death was announced by her husband, John Easterling, on her Facebook page on Monday 

Olivia Newton-John’s home in southern California where she died peacefully today surrounded by family 

Newton-John defended her sweet-to-sexy transition for years to come and amid a wave of criticism from during the #MeToo movement. 

‘It’s a movie. It’s a story from the 50s where things were different. Everyone forgets that, at the end, he changes for her, too. There’s nothing deep in there about the #MeToo movement. It’s just a girl who loves a guy, and she thinks if she does that, he’ll like her. 

‘And he thinks if he does that, she’ll like him. I think that’s pretty real. People do that for each other. It was a fun love story.’ 

Newton-John and Easterling married in 2008. She was married to her first husband, Michael Lattanzi, from 1984 until 1995. 

Newton-John (left) in 1974 competing in the Eurovision Song Contest for Britain, four years before starring in Grease. She is shown singing (right) in 1980