Remembering the life of Olivia Newton-John

Reflecting on the movie turning 40 in 2018, the actress said: "I think the songs are timeless. They're fun and have great energy. The '50s-feel music has always been popular, and it's nostalgic for my generation, and then the young kids are rediscovering it every 10 years, or so it seems. People buying the album was a way for them to remember those feelings of watching the movie and feelings of that time period. I feel very grateful to be a part of this movie that's still loved so much."

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UN role -

In 1990, Newton-John was named the first Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme.

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CHEC -

In 1991, the artist served as the national spokesperson for the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC).

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Breast cancer -

Olivia Newton-John battled breast cancer three times. She was first diagnosed with the disease in 1992.

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Cancer support -

The artist founded the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia, which she described as ”a positive healing centre to support people on their cancer journey.”

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Fundraising trek -

In 2008, the artist took a number of cancer survivors and celebrities on a trek along the Great Wall of China and raised more than US$2 million for cancer research.

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Medical cannabis -

Newton-John used medical cannabis and believed the treatment should be available to cancer patients. “This year, through treatment and medicinal cannabis, I am feeling fantastic. I hope to be able to soon offer [medical cannabis] to everyone— that's my dream,” she said in 2019.

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'Grease' memorabilia -

In November 2019, Newton-John’s famous leather jacket and pants, featured during 'You’re The One That I Want' in 'Grease,' sold at auction for over US$405,000.

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Grease memorabilia -

All the proceeds benefited the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre. Though the buyer of her leather jacket surprised everyone by returning it to the artist, saying it belonged to its rightful owner, “not in some billionaire’s closet.”

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One Tree Per Child -

Newton-John was a co-founder of this international school initiative. The goal of One Tree Per Child is to have every child under the age of 10 plant a tree.

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Sydney 2000 Olympics -

Olivia Newton-John performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

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Sydney 2000 Olympics -

And she also had the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch during the Olympic Torch Relay.

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ARIA Hall of Fame -

In 2002, the artist was inducted into the Australian Music Hall of Fame.

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Entrepreneur -

In 2005, Newton-John opened the award-winning Gaia Retreat & Spa in Byron Bay, Australia. In 2019, she released her skincare range, Retreatment Botanics.

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Career -

Olivia Newton-John sold over 100 million albums throughout her career and remains one of the world's best-selling artists of all time.

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An unforgettable cultural icon -

She sadly passed away at the age of 73 on August 8, 2022, after battling breast cancer once again. "Dame Olivia Newton-John 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," her husband, John Easterling, announced on Newton-John's social media channels.

Her legacy will not soon be forgotten.

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Roots -

Dame Olivia Newton-John was born on September 26, 1948, in Cambridge, England.

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Famous grandfather -

She was the granddaughter of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Born. Being Jewish, he fled to Britain from Germany before World War II, to escape the Nazis.

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Move -

Olivia and her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, when she was five.

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Big break -

Newton-John’s first taste of success came after she won a talent contest on the popular Aussie TV show 'Sing, Sing, Sing.'

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Early career -

By 15, Newton-John was singing in a girl band called Sol 4.

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Early career -

Shortly after, she teamed up with Pat Carroll (now Pat Farrar) and toured the UK and other venues in Europe as the duo Pat & Olivia.

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Eurovision -

In 1974, Olivia Newton-John represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Long Live Love.' She finished in fourth place.

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Her lawsuit against MCA records changed the music industry -

The singer’s contract with the record label was to release a number of records in a specific time frame. One of her albums was late, leading to a seven-year legal battle.

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Her lawsuit against MCA records changed the music industry -

This resulted in record companies changing their contracts to cover a set number of albums and not the length of time it took to release them.

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'Grease' -

In 1978, Olivia Newton-John’s popularity exploded due to her co-starring role with John Travolta in 'Grease.'

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'Grease' -

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'Grease' -

And, of course, the soundtrack yielded numerous no. 1 hits in the charts. 'You're the One That I Want' went platinum, and both 'Hopelessly Devoted to You' and 'Summer Nights' got gold.

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'Grease' -

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UN role -

In 1990, Newton-John was named the first Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme.

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CHEC -

In 1991, the artist served as the national spokesperson for the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC).

Getty Images

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Breast cancer -

Olivia Newton-John battled breast cancer three times. She was first diagnosed with the disease in 1992.

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Cancer support -

The artist founded the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia, which she described as ”a positive healing centre to support people on their cancer journey.”

Getty Images

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Fundraising trek -

In 2008, the artist took a number of cancer survivors and celebrities on a trek along the Great Wall of China and raised more than US$2 million for cancer research.

Getty Images

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Medical cannabis -

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'Grease' memorabilia -

In November 2019, Newton-John’s famous leather jacket and pants, featured during 'You’re The One That I Want' in 'Grease,' sold at auction for over US$405,000.

Getty Images

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Grease memorabilia -

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One Tree Per Child -

Newton-John was a co-founder of this international school initiative. The goal of One Tree Per Child is to have every child under the age of 10 plant a tree.

Getty Images

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Sydney 2000 Olympics -

Olivia Newton-John performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

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Sydney 2000 Olympics -

And she also had the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch during the Olympic Torch Relay.

Getty Images

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ARIA Hall of Fame -

In 2002, the artist was inducted into the Australian Music Hall of Fame.

Getty Images

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Entrepreneur -

In 2005, Newton-John opened the award-winning Gaia Retreat & Spa in Byron Bay, Australia. In 2019, she released her skincare range, Retreatment Botanics.

Getty Images

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Career -

Olivia Newton-John sold over 100 million albums throughout her career and remains one of the world's best-selling artists of all time.

Getty Images

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An unforgettable cultural icon -

Her legacy will not soon be forgotten.

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Remembering the life of Olivia Newton-John

The music icon would have celebrated her 76th birthday on September 26

26/09/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Artist

Olivia Newton-John was an incredibly successful woman. Many of us got to know her as Sandy from ‘Grease,’ but her work as a singer, actress, dancer, activist, and entrepreneur transcends her iconic role. She sold more than 100 million albums, had numerous no.1 hits, and won four Grammy Awards, as well as several Country Music, American Music, and People's Choice Awards. After her battle with cancer began some three decades ago, Newton-John also dedicated a great part of her life to supporting research and treatment of the disease.

Tragically, the star passed away at the age of 73 on August 8 after sharing that her breast cancer had metastasized in 2017. To look back at the legacy Olivia Newton-John leaves behind, click through the gallery.