After Olivia Newton-John’s Death, Celebs Share Their Favorite Memories
Olivia Newton-John, the beloved singer, actress and Grease star, died on August 8, at age 73, after a decades-long battle with breast cancer. Her husband, John Easterling, announced the news on social media.
The four-time Grammy Award winner was a passionate and vocal advocate for breast cancer research before her death, and often kept fans posted on her own health updates through the years.
“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer,” her husband wrote in the post. “Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund.”
After news of her death broke, the Cancer Council Victoria's chief executive Todd Harper called Olivia "a pioneer in the cancer field," stating that "her work provided inspiration for many,” per The Guardian.
Here’s a look back at Olivia’s cancer journey and the legacy of activism she leaves behind:
1992: Olivia was first diagnosed with breast cancer.
Olivia, who was 44 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, wasn’t originally planning to disclose her diagnosis in public, she told ET, but she felt forced to share her news.
"There was going to be an article released in one of the gossip papers that I was dying of cancer," she said. "When I heard that, I decided that rather than frighten my family and my friends, it would be better to just come out with it."
Olivia shared on her foundation’s website that her diagnosis “came the same weekend my father died of cancer, so you can imagine the shock.” Olivia said she underwent a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy, and breast reconstruction. “I did herbal formulas, meditation, and focused on a vision of complete wellness,” she said.
After her original diagnosis and treatment, Olivia went into remission for about 20 years.
2013: Olivia’s cancer returned.
Olivia told the Australian news show Sunday Night in 2018 that she quietly fought a second battle with cancer back in 2013. She said she first found a lump on her right shoulder after she was in a minor traffic accident that year. And, while she originally thought the lump was from the car accident, testing showed the cancer had returned.
“I thought, ‘It’s my life,’ and I just decided to keep it to myself,” she said.
2015: The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre is created.
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre in Melbourne now runs hundreds of clinical trials for brain, bowel, breast, melanoma, gastrointestinal, head and neck, pancreatic, prostate and lung cancers, per The Guardian.
It also offers inpatient wards and serves as an outpatient ambulatory center.
"The ONJ Centre was her dream, and we are proud of everything we achieved together. We will continue our work to honour her legacy," the center wrote on its website following news of her death.
"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."
2017: Olivia was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
Twenty-five years after her first diagnosis, Olivia revealed in 2017 that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that had metastasized (i.e. spread) to her back. “I’m totally confident that my new journey will have a positive success story to inspire others,” she told People at the time.
Olivia also shared that she had been treating her cancer with a course of photon radiation therapy, and supplementing it with natural wellness therapies, including medicinal cannabis.
At the time, Olivia's pain had “gone from [level] eight to about a two” after a week of treatment, her husband, John Easterling, told the outlet.
2020: Olivia talks about her positive mindset while still fighting cancer.
Olivia told TODAY in 2020 that she has tried to have a positive mindset about cancer. “Cancer can engulf your mind and engulf your being,” said. “And I try not to live my life with that in my mind all the time.”
2020: Olivia and her husband create the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund.
The foundation works to research plant medicine and how it can be used to treat cancer, per People. On its website, the foundation says it is "committed to realizing a world beyond cancer," and lists five active studies currently being funded.
The family has asked that donations be made to the foundation in honor of Olivia's memory, per the Instagram post announcing her death.
August 8, 2022: Olivia dies, and friends and loved ones remember her legacy.
In the 24 hours following the announcement of her death, Olivia's friends, fellow artists, and fans poured out their love for the Australian icon on social media. Some spoke of the inspiration she provided them, while others simply recalled her magnetic presence on and off the stage.
"Seeing you star in the huge Hollywood blockbuster GREASE with your natural accent was so instrumental to me as a little girl, helping me to believe that it was possible for an Aussie girl to star in huge international musicals," Rebel Wilson, a fellow Australian actress, wrote on Instagram.
Singer Mariah Carey shared a memory of the two stars singing together.
"...She was one of the kindest, most generous and lovely people I've ever met. She will be missed. She will be remembered. She will be loved. Olivia, I honestly love you. 🕊❤️," Mariah wrote on Instagram.
Even Martha Stewart took a moment to reflect on Olivia's legacy, writing that she "was also a leading advocate of cancer research giving many healing inspiration and hope," and that her "voice, her infectious smile, and her relentless spirit will be greatly missed."
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