Some very sad news is just coming in. Olivia Newton-John, who rose to international fame as a singer and movie star in the hit film Grease, has died at 73.
Per Deadline, Olivia’s reps said she died peacefully at her ranch in Southern California, surrounded by family and friends. While the rep did not disclose her cause of death, Olivia has battled breast cancer for over 30 years and has been very vocal about dealing with the disease.
Olivia Newton-John first hit it big in 1971 after releasing the song “If Not for You.” She followed that up with two massive hits in 1973 with the songs “Let Me Be There” and “Have You Never Been Mellow.” Her most significant break came in 1978 when starred opposite John Travolta in the hit musical Grease. Her role as Sandy instantly became iconic thanks to several of the songs she sang in the movie, such as “You’re the One that I Want,” “Summer Nights,” and “Hopelessly Devoted To You.” The latter of which garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
More fame came to Olivia Newton-John after she appeared in the movie Xanadu and scored the biggest hit of her career with the 1981 song, “Physical.” The tune was a massive hit upon its release, staying number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts for ten weeks, a record during the 1980s.
Our thoughts are with Olivia Newton-John’s family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. I know many people will be belting out so many of her songs in her honor, and that’s precisely how she should be remembered.