On Monday afternoon, it was reported by TMZ that legendary actress and singer Olivia Newton-John had passed away. She was 73.
While no official cause of death was released at the time of the announcement, a source told the news outlet that the actress had succumb to her longtime battle with breast cancer.
Olive Newton-John has been a beloved household name since the ’70s.
From starring alongside John Travolta in the 1978 film Grease to her successful music career featuring hits like “Physical” and “Let Me Be There”, Olivia was loved by many throughout her long and illustrious career.
It was reported by TMZ that Olivia died peacefully at her ranch in Southern California Monday morning.
Although the rep did not give the cause of death, a source close to Oliva told TMZ, “After a 30-year cancer journey, she lost her battle to metastatic breast cancer.”
As fans will recall, Olivia was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, and would go on to battle it twice more before her death.
Speaking with The Guardian back in 2020 , Olivia recalled her health journey thus far, and what it felt like to be diagnosed in 2013 and again in 2017.
“It’s been a part of my life for so long,” she explained. “I felt something was wrong. It’s concerning when it comes back, but I thought: ‘I’ll get through it again.'”
She went on to praise the healing effects of medicinal cannabis.
“I was nervous of it in the beginning. But I could see the benefits once I started using it. It helps with anxiety, it helps with sleep, it helps with pain.”
For years, the Grease actress has been a vocal advocate for cancer research, raising large amounts of money to help others suffering with the incurable disease.
“I’m not telling anyone to do anything,” she told the news outlet. “I just want to do the research and find out which things work.”
Olivia kept this bright and shining positive attitude up until her death — something which fans will always remember her for.
In an emotional post shared on the singer’s Instagram, fans learned of Olivia’s passing.
Posting a beautiful photo of his wife, Olivia’s longtime husband John Easterling shared the heartbreaking news.
“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer,” he wrote. “Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the @onjfoundation .”
“Olivia is survived by her husband John Easterling; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; nieces and nephews Tottie, Fiona and Brett Goldsmith; Emerson, Charlie, Zac, Jeremy, Randall, and Pierz Newton-John; Jude Newton-Stock, Layla Lee; Kira and Tasha Edelstein; and Brin and Valerie Hall.”
Fans have taken to social media to remember the icon and all the joy she’s brought into their lives.
“We have lost a great, iconic artist in Olivia Newton John, gone too soon from us at age 73,” tweeted George Takei. “I trust she is now in the great Xanadu beyond. Know that we are forever hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia. Rest in song and mirth.”
“Olivia Newton John. An all time great. Forever a fighter. Forever Sandy. Lost to the world at just 73 after 30 years of battling breast cancer. What a sad day,” wrote one fan.
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“Olivia Newton-John in Grease was what made me want to do musical theater. An absolute queen and a legend. This one hurts,” echoed another.
RIP to a beautiful soul inside and out.
