Jane Seymour has claimed Olivia Newton-John “defied all odds” before she died earlier this week aged 73 after a long battle with cancer.
The actress, 71, reflected on her close friendship with the Australian star as she recalled her last visits to Olivia before her death.
Bond girl Jane, who starred in Live and Let Die, opened up about how her “one of a kind” friend wasn’t afraid of death but just didn’t want to miss out on life.
Olivia, who rose to fame as the star of the 1978 hit film Grease, died Monday morning surrounded by family at her home in Southern California after a long battle with breast cancer.
Close bond: Jane Seymour has claimed Olivia Newton-John ‘defied all odds’ before she died earlier this week aged 73 after a long battle with cancer (pictured in 1992)
Jane shared how Olivia made “a great effort” to see her and her sisters in early February this year, when she “should have stayed in bed” to rest.
The British-American actress revealed to Fox News: “I remember looking at her and thinking this could easily be the last time I see her. But I’ve felt that before, a few years ago when she was incredibly frail and was on a lot of painkillers and I just thought, oh my god, she, she was barely eating. She looked so fragile.
“We were all surprised. She put everything back together and had quality of life again. It was wonderful. She really has defied all odds.«
Tragic news: Olivia, who rose to fame as the star of the hit 1978 film Grease, died Monday morning surrounded by her family at her home in Southern California after a long battle with breast cancer
Jane described that Olivia was “adamant” about doing things for herself while she could and refused to give up her independence.
The star, who knew Olivia had been on the decline for some time, said she’s spent the last few days “crying my eyes out” as she reflects on their 50-year friendship.
Of their friendship, she said: “I realized that she was a unique friend. I have friends but not like them in my life. “I just remember our conversations so clearly and the smile on her face. And then the fact that she wasn’t afraid, I think, to walk by. She just didn’t want to miss out on life.”
Long-term friends: The 71-year-old actress reflected on her close friendship with the Aussie star as she recalled her final visits to Olivia before her death (pictured in 2019)
Olivia, who rose to fame as the star of the 1978 hit film Grease, died Monday morning surrounded by family at her home in Southern California after a long battle with breast cancer.
Jane said the day before the superstar’s death, she spent time with mutual friends that she shared with the mother-of-one.
She said: “We talked about her and how [Olivia] had not answered our texts. We all knew something was happening.”
Jane said Olivia’s legacy is her talent, her authenticity and her “ability to share the world, care about it and make a difference…especially in the world of cancer.”
Jane said Olivia could be “the complete package”.
“She showed that you could be a good wife, a good mother, you could be an amazing superstar and you could be an icon of philanthropy.”
The news comes after Olivia’s husband, John Easterling, said the star had asked for donations to her charity, the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, in her memory in lieu of flowers.
Announcing the Xanadu star’s death on Facebook on Tuesday, John wrote: “A symbol of triumph and hope for over 30 years, Olivia shares her journey with breast cancer.
“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicines continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund dedicated to research into plant medicines and cancer.”
Strong woman: Jane said Olivia’s legacy is her talent, her authenticity and her “ability to share, to care about her and to make a difference in the world… especially in the world of cancer”.
Olivia’s battle with breast cancer first began in 1992 when she was just 44 years old.
She has been very open about her diagnosis and treatment, which notoriously involved the use of medical marijuana.
Her cancer returned in 2013 and again in 2017.
Despite the gruesome toll the disease took on her life — including being crippled for a period — Olivia continued to perform, including a 2018 tour of the United States
Pictured is the latest photo of Olivia with husband John Easterling, which was posted to her Instagram page just three days ago