Grease Actress-Singer Olivia Newton-John Passes Away: Tribute

Olivia Newton-John, the British-Born Australian singer and actor, died on Monday, Augsut 8, at the age of 73, according to a post on her social media accounts. She "passed away peacefully" in Southern California while surrounded by her family and friends, the post said. Newton-John was famed for her role as Sandy in the 1978 musical film Grease, alongside actor John Travolta.

Her career spanned more than five decades, although she became devoted to charities after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992.

'Winning over' cancer

"Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer," the post on her social media said. Over the years, she dedicated several albums and shows to raise funds for research and early detection of breast cancer. "I don't like to say 'battled'," she told Australia's Channel Seven TV in 2018, after revealing she had been diagnosed with cancer for a third time. "I like to say 'win over', because 'battled' sets up this anger and inflammation that you don't want."

Besides establishing research facilities, she also advocated for plant medicine and using medicinal cannabis in cancer treatments.

Looking back at her career, Newton-John told Reader's Digest last year: "I have done everything, and the icing on the cake as well. "So I feel grateful for anything that happens now."

fb/nm (Reuters, AFP, dpa)

Source: DW