Olivia Newton-John’s death was met with much sadness by fans and friends alike as the announcement came through on Aug 9 that the megastar had died of cancer at 73.
Tributes kept pouring in for the Australian singer and actress who is most famous for her role as Sandy in Grease, one of the most successful musicals ever made.
She died at her California ranch surrounded by loved ones.
Although she recorded numerous songs Newton-John’s role in Grease in 1978 also produced huge hit singles for her namely; You’re the One That I Want and Summer Nights with her co-star John Travolta.
Travolta wrote on Instagram and Twitter saying; “Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!”
Actress Stockard Channing who was also in Grease playing Rizzo said of her, “I don’t know if I’ve known a lovelier human being. Olivia was the essence of summer-her sunniness, her warmth and her grace are what always comes to mind when I think of her. I will miss her enormously.”
Oprah Winfrey said that her positivity was infectious. “You’ll be missed Olivia. Here’s to the good times.”
Many friends and co-stars said that the nice thing about Newton-John was that she was just as friendly and natural in real life as her on-screen/stage persona.
Grease film director Randal Kleiser said he had been friends with Newton-John for 40 years and “she never changed, she was exactly the way everyone imagines her. She was charming, lovely, warm… there are so many cliches you can say about her, but in her case it was all true.”
The actress and singer was first diagnosed with cancer in 1992. She then went on to set up a foundation to conduct research on cancer and the Olivia Newton-John foundation raised millions of pounds to support research.
In a statement the hospital that runs the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne said that she “encouraged, inspired and supported” staff and patients every day.
“We are incredibly grateful for the special relationship we had with Olivia for many years. Her generous support and gift provided hope and changed the lives of thousands of cancer patients. She was the light at the end of the tunnel for many, many people.”
Her efforts in the field were recognized by the Queen who honoured her with a dame hood in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list.
Her husband John Easterling also posted on social media calling her “a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years, sharing her journey with breast cancer”.
See More News: Olivia Newton-John dies at 73 from cancer