At 73 years old, the iconic American singer and actress Olivia Newton-John has died at her Ranch in Southern California, surrounded by loved ones. Her husband released the following statement on the starlet’s social media channels, writing, “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.”
After a long battle with breast cancer, Newton-John’s passing made us realize what a true gem she was for the entertainment industry. In 2018, she revealed that she was treating cancer at the base of her spine — this would mark her third cancer diagnosis total, after a battle that began in the early 90s.
One of the most famous pop stars of the 1970s, she wasn’t just musically talented but starred in the movie “Grease”, which earned 160 million at the box office and became an international hit. Ultimately, it became the highest-grossing musical film of the 20th century.
It all started with her soft rock and country hits — you also might remember a little hit called Physical — but she really exploded on our screens and in our hearts after playing Sandy and co-starring opposite John Travolta in the famous musical “Grease.” She was 28 when they scooped her up for the role, and didn’t have too much acting experience.
The film followed her as Sandy, an Australian transfer student, falls for alpha greaser Danny, played by John Travolta. It was an iconic story of mismatched love, and no one can forget when she tosses the frills in favor of heels, spandex, leather and of course, a cigarette. People have been recreating this Halloween costume for decades, thanks to Olivia Newton-John. While some people call the plot problematic these days, Olivia said that in the 70s, the scene felt like empowerment.
