The death of the British-born Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John has left people across the world heartbroken. The 73-year-old had a long battle with breast cancer before she breathed her last breath on Monday, August 8. Announcing her demise, her husband, John Easterling, wrote on her official Facebook page, “Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
The post continued, “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. 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 Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund (ONJFoundationFund.org).”
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“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,” the statement added.
After Olivia’s death, her fans jumped on social media to pay their tributes. One such comment on the Facebook post was “Loved your music and your kindness to others. I named my beautiful daughter after you Olivia as I had so much respect for you. I was lying in my hospital room at the Austin hospital when I had leukaemia, watching from my window the construction of your cancer wellness centre. We will always remember you, and your animal activism, just a beautiful human 😢😢💜.”
Another message read, “So sad. Rest In Peace dear Olivia. My thoughts & prayers to family & friends. Fly High with the Angels beautiful lady. You were such an Inspiration. Thank you for your beautiful music. God Bless. 🌹🙏🌹.” Meanwhile, the ‘Grease’ star’s passing also left many wondering if her family had a history of cancer.
Who was Olivia Newton-John's father?
Olivia was born to Brinley “Bryn” Newton-John and Irene Born – a Jewish refugee from Germany — in Cambridge, England, on September 26, 1948, as their youngest child. However, when she turned six, the family shifted to Australia's Melbourne, where Brinley became a German professor as well as a Master of Ormond College at the University of Melbourne.
However, prior to that, he reportedly worked on the Enigma project at Bletchley Park as an MI5 agent. He also apparently put Nazi leader Rudolph Hess under arrest during World War II. As per his obituary, he died in July 1992 at the age of 78 because of liver cancer, and soon after his death, Olivia was first diagnosed with breast cancer.
Then in 2013, her cancer returned around the time when her older sister died. Rona’s cause of death was brain cancer. At the time, Olivia had said, “As a cancer 'thriver' myself, as many people are, I am very aware of the importance of love, support and family during this journey she is about to begin. I want to thank everyone in advance for respecting our privacy during this difficult time.”
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The Guardian reported that “both times she was still shellshocked with grief.” Again in 2017, the deadly disease reoccurred but at that time Olivia was not startled. She had said, “It’s been a part of my life for so long. I felt something was wrong. It’s concerning when it comes back, but I thought: ‘I’ll get through it again.’”