Remembering Olivia: Tributes flow for Olivia Newton-John
Tributes are flowing for Olivia Newton-John, who has died at the age of 73.
The singer, actress and activist died at a ranch in Southern California surrounded by family and friends.
She battled breast cancer for 30-years. Dame Newton-John was first diagnosed with cancer in 1992, and it returned in 2013 and again in 2017.
She campaigned tirelessly after her first diagnosis in 1992, founding the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund.
Her close personal friend, Richard Wilkins, says “she was just a beautiful person, it’s as simple as that”.
“The last time I welcomed Olivia Newton-John on stage I said she was the most popular Australian on the planet and nothing has happened since then to make me change my mind,” he told Neil Mitchell.
Mr Wilkins said he’s “so proud” of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre, but it’s not the thing she was most proud of.
“She was proud of her successes but there was nothing she was more proud of than Chloe her daughter,” Mr Wilkins said.
Press PLAY below to hear Richard Wilkins’ sharing his memories of Olivia
“This is almost like Australia’s Princess Diana moment,” entertainment reporter Peter Ford said.
“Obviously people will celebrate her achievements with music and movies of course, but more than that people are going to say ‘Gee, she really gave back, she really made a difference in the world’.”
Press PLAY below to hear Pete Ford remembering Olivia Newton-John
John Travolta has taken to Instagram to share a touching tribute to Dame Newton-John.
“Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever,” the actor wrote.
View this post on Instagram
Image: Scott Barbour/Getty