The singer and actress Olivia NewtonJohnknown for films such as Grease In the times of Brilhantina (1978) and for hits like “Physical”, died this morning at the age of 73 (8). The news was confirmed by NewtonJohn’s official Facebook page, without specifying the cause of death.
However, NewtonJohn had been battling cancer since the 1990s. After recovering from a breast tumor around that time, she saw the disease return in 2013, metastasizing to her back and bones and eventually progressing to stage IV, the most severe of the cancers.
The text posted by the actresssinger’s team on the networks reflects this aspect of her life: “A symbol of triumph and hope for over 30 years, Olivia shares her journey with breast cancer. Her inspiration and pioneering experience with herbal medicine will continue at the Olivia NewtonJohn Foundation Fund dedicated to cancer research.”
Australianborn NewtonJohn began singing and acting on local television as a teenager and was part of the groups Sol four and morning in the 1960s when he released his first solo album, if not for youIn 1971, that success came, notably with the title track, a cover of George Harrison.
Subsequent hits included “Let Me Be There” (1973), “I Honestly Love You” (1974) both Grammywinning “Have You Never Been Mellow” (1975), “Come On Over” (1976 ), all within the land crop. The Australian’s pop career also took off after her movie stardom.
Plays Sandy before Danny Zuko John Travolta, NewtonJohn took part in the biggest boxoffice (and charttopping) hit of 1978: the film adaptation of Grease. “You’re The One That I Want”, “Summer Nights” and “Hopeless Devoted to You” became timeless songs.
NewtonJohn’s next film was Xanadu (1980), a critical failure but the soundtrack returned to produce hits for the singer, such as the title track and “Magic”. The album the following year physically Sagraria as one of the biggest pop stars of her time as well as a pioneer of the music video format.
In 1983, she reunited with Travolta in the film Packages for two (1983), which repeated Xanadu’s fate: despite its theatrical failure, the track sold millions of copies and spawned hits like “Twist of Fate” and “Take a Chance.”
In the years that followed, and after his cancer diagnosis, NewtonJohn worked less frequently, continuing to tour the world and appearing in films such as she is having a baby (1988), the last party (1996) and after 30 (2011).
In music, he released a few albums on the side John Farnham, another Australian singer, and even reunited with Travolta for the Christmas album This Christmas (2012). NewtonJohn leaves her husband, John Ostlingand the daughter Chloe Lattanzi.