Fans have been visiting Olivia Newton-John’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to pay their respect and mourn the death of the Australian icon.
She died Monday, Aug. 8 at her Southern California ranch at age 73 following a decades-long battle with breast cancer.
“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer,” her husband, John Esterling wrote on her Facebook page. “Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.”
Newton-John had a string of hits in the 1970s, including “If You Love Me, Let Me Know,” “Let Me Be There” and “Have You Never Been Mellow.” But she rocketed to stardom with her role as Sandy in the hit 1978 musical film “Grease,” playing opposite John Travolta.
The film gave rise to hit songs including “Summer Nights,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re the One That I Want.”
Newton-John, who was also an outspoken environmental activist, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, and she became a face and voice for the battle against the disease, as well as other health issues.
She underwent a mastectomy and was declared cancer-free, but was diagnosed with cancer again in 2013 and in 2017.
She spoke openly of her cancer fight and founded the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Australia.
On his Instagram page Monday, Travolta mourned her death, writing, “My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!”
ln lieu of flowers, Newton-John’s family asks that any donations be made in her memory to
the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, ONJFoundationFund.org.