In a brief statement, her husband John Easterling said the singer died Monday morning at their ranch in California, United States. “Olivia has been a symbol of triumph and hope for over 30 years as she shared her breast cancer journey,” the family statement read. “We ask everyone to respect the privacy of the family at this very difficult time.”
NewtonJohn achieved commercial success as a country singer in the 1970s, selling millions of records. But it was her role as Sandy in the film adaptation of Grease that catapulted her to worldwide fame.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in the early 1990s, NewtonJohn dedicated himself to public support for cancer research. Her efforts were recognized by Queen Elizabeth, who awarded her the title of Lady on the 2020 New Year’s Honors List.
Actress and singer Olivia NewtonJohn has died at the age of 73
“[Diagnosing the disease]was something that consumed my day, and after a while I stopped and said, ‘You know what? I have to enjoy my life,” the artist said in 2019 during an interview with the CBS television show This Morning.
“Because the joy of everyday life must be part of the healing process.”
“So I chose this path of being grateful because the other side isn’t that good,” she said, laughing.
“I’m not a victim and I don’t want to be one. I feel like what happened to me had a purpose.”