By Kate Rose
Grease made her a star, but it was Olivia Newton-John’s commitment to cancer research and humble personality that endeared her to celebrities and fans alike.
Tributes have been flowing in from readers, and you can add your own below.
Olivia Newton-John became a star with Grease.Credit: RB/Redferns
Olivia would have been a beacon for millions lost in the darkness of cancer, and it’s those I’m also thinking of, plus the unrecoverable loss her daughter will be feeling. I once heard Olivia speak, to a group in Auckland about the work she was doing raising awareness of breast cancer. She struck me as someone most of the world probably underestimated. She was, in that moment, the solid academic her father was, determined, unwilling to suffer fools and maybe even a bit fierce. Her story reveals a life that’s been anything but easy. Tracy
I still have your LPs, the tracks are worn from playing them so much. At a young age I felt you had the voice of an Angel. Rest easy beautiful Lady and fly and sing to your heart’s content. The world has lost an incredible woman. You helped so many people suffering with your positivity. Clare
I met ONJ at Melbourne Uni in 2009 – she spent her childhood at Ormond College because her father was the Master for a time and she was back for a visit. I had a duckling living in my room at the time and I was holding it in the corridor when she walked past. She thought it was amazing and took a photo on her phone – she was lovely and so generous with her time. Anonymous
RIP Olivia you fought so hard, a beautiful person inside and out, my thoughts are with your family. Pamela
Xanadu was playing in rotation a few days ago when I was in Fiji. Makes perfect sense now. Vale angel Olivia and thank you. Lisa
I was lucky to attend the Xanadu premiere in 1978 … 13-year-old me was thrilled to see her swish past me in her sequinned lilac two-piece suit. Just gorgeous. She had a unique voice and was a unique presence. Trish
I’m recovering from breast cancer and have a check-up at the Olivia Newton-John centre today. Every time I go to ONJ (& I’ve been there a lot over the past year) I’m grateful for all Olivia has done since her diagnosis to promote breast cancer awareness, to raise funds for an outstanding facility and breast cancer research. Given the high rates of cancer in the community, we’re all very lucky she chose to make an impact for good with her diagnosis. Belinda
Absolutely HEARTBROKEN by this horrible news Too much to say. Tears running down my face just now. Thank you SO much Olivia for being such a light in this world. For your beautiful voice, beautiful nature, beautiful YOU! Forever in our hearts. May you Rest In Peace Olivia. Maureen
Olivia, Livy, Sandy. You have been there my whole life, and I have always adored you. Thank you for the wonderful sounds and visions, and may you rest in peace lovely lady. – Jason
ONJ was the “one that we want” along with Paul Hogan she put Australia on the world stage. – Scott
Much loved here “over the ditch” in NZ RIP Dear Olivia... I’ll drink a bottle of something Aussie and play your music today...farewell Olivia. – Jill
Olivia I think represented the best of the Australian spirit of vitality and joy. – Rodney
My first memory is from television and from the movie Grease. When I think of Olivia I think of her radiant smile and her inner beauty that shone through for all to see. I still have the record from Grease. She is loved and missed and I pray for her family at this time. – Toni
My favourite memory of Olivia Newton-John was when she played in Grease and in Xanadu. She was a true Australian icon. – Karla
Like thousands (maybe millions) of young guys growing up in Australia in the 1960s and 1970s, ONJ was top of all pops for me. For five decades her total presence whether singing, acting or dancing (or all three) was jaw-dropping fabulous. Her 10,000-watt smiles would light up the darkest room, despite her ongoing cancer and treatment. Australia’s Olivia Newton-John will be deeply missed. – Tony M
A very sad day indeed, my childhood sweetheart (probably every young gay boy’s childhood sweetheart) – Goodbye Olivia Newton-John, you touched many people and you were loved. Courageous, inspirational and such a darn good singer and entertainer. Rest in Peace, you will be missed. – Anonymous
There are no words, only a hope that you’re still singing and now smiling free of pain on the other side. We will all miss your smile, your beauty and your grace. Fly free... – Anonymous
The Black Opal of Australia. Olivia Newton-John was truly a rarity in our world. It is hard to share one’s private life with another and even rarer, if that person is in the global public eye. When cancer is diagnosed, life turns darker and it becomes easier to draw within, but Olivia chose the road less travelled. Instead of that darkness encompassing her life, the colours she chose only became more vibrant. The darker the background, the more brilliant she became. She lived life with tomorrow in mind becoming a shining example of hope, joy, courage and perseverance to multitudes around the world, which will continue until a cure is found for Breast Cancer. Typically a legacy does not have a life, but Olivia Newton-John’s Legacy breathes with every new diagnosis of breast cancer, every battle and every little victory. Even now the darkness has only enhanced the colours of this life to a stunning brilliance that leaves us in awe and to be forever cherished. For me personally, she will forever be the Black Opal of Australia. In America we mourn and pass on our condolences to her family and friends. – James
I was a kid when Grease was re-released in cinemas in the late 90s. I watched it with my dad and bought the soundtrack on CD (it was probably my first CD). After that, I dug through my mum’s records and found the Xanadu soundtrack. I listened to them dozens of times. Then, in 2010, I rediscovered our Olivia via Flowers a beautiful Japanese movie (of all things) which featured “Have You Ever Been Mellow”, a song I fell in love with for the sweetness of her voice and the lyrics. She’s someone I looked up to and I am very sad for her loss. My heart goes out to those who loved her and who she loved. – Joe
I met her at three different meet and greets. I think those who have met her in real life would agree she was even more stunning and beautiful in real life than her photos. – John
RIP Olivia. So much part of and embedded in my growing up. Love you always. – Diana
She was part of my childhood. Seeing her reigning smile, warm kind-hearted demeanour, colourful sweet performances on screen and in music clips were one of my highlights growing up as a kid in the 80s/90s. – Anonymous
I was Olivia’s trainer for a few weeks in 1984 when she attended Kerry Packer’s Hyde Park Club for a short time. I was completely in awe of her and I was shy and a bit awkward...I have often wished that I’d engaged a little more, but she radiated incredible warmth and beauty and it was all too much for my 20-year-old self. - Dave
Olivia Newton-John was a huge part of my childhood and all of my sisters and I adored her. We loved Grease, Xanadu and everything she sang. When we were little girls our Dad and Mum ran a caravan park in Bendigo, Victoria. One night (about a week after we had seen Grease at the movies), Dad called us out from our bedrooms and said that “Olivia is on the phone and she wants to say hello!” We squealed with excitement. We all got a chance to speak to her and tell her how amazing she was. We went to school the next day and told everyone we knew that “Olivia rang us up to say hello”. Little did we know that it was actually our Mum ringing from the office phone to our landline phone. We were in the dark for about 10 years before Mum and Dad finally confessed! My darling Dad passed away on 23 July 2022 and I like to think that he is in Heaven sharing a laugh with Olivia about his and Mum’s awesome prank on us all. Rest in Peace Olivia, and if you see a happy little old fellow up there called Matt Campbell, give him a big kiss and a hug from me xxx - Nicole
I got the chance to see her in two concerts... she was a beautiful person... I will miss her very much. - Tom
She was a great lady and a great singer/actor she will be missed RIP Dame Olivia. - Christine
Shed a rear hearing the news. Always came across as a beautiful person and confirmed by all whose path she crossed. Rest In Peace. - Paul
If there was ever a class act, Olivia Newton-John was it. Hands down. In addition to her career tributes perhaps the ultimate is that not a single bad word can be found tone said about her anywhere ever..... She is remembered with nothing but love and fondness. RIP X - Liv
There are very few people in the world of entertainment that over the course of their long careers don’t have one nasty word said about them because they are just the real deal. Generous, kind, loving.... Olivia was one of those very rare people. I was thinking of how sad John Farnham would be feeling today too. His two ‘besties’, Glen & Livy both gone in 5 months. - Mary
A true Australian icon we are all proud of. RIP dear Olivia. - Anonymous
Like many young girls I adored Grease and knew every word. Physical was my first LP. When her daughter was born I sent a bib and some booties to ONJ, and when I received a signed photograph and thank you note from Olivia, it was the literally the best day of my life. Driving past Koala Blue and Thunder Road in LA as a 12-year-old was such a thrill. Her songs remind me of family road trips, and Xanadu a tube ride in London… her music was the soundtrack to much of my youth. Such an Australian icon, and such a giver with her charity work. What a huge loss. Shine bright Olivia - you will always be loved. - BJC
I wanted to be her when I was little. Stunning smile and gorgeous voice. I absolutely love Xanadu and was playing the soundtrack in the car just the other week. RIP Olivia. Your legacy in entertainment and cancer research and wellness will live on. - DR
Dearest “Livvy”, as a shy, pimply, teenager I grew up with your music and as an adult I came “out” to your music, you brought joy to so many people’s lives with your love of life, your down to earth humour, your genuine warmth, you sailed through the good and bad times yet always were thinking of those around you. You will always be a Xanadu star in the sky, Vale Dame Olivia. - MDK
Very sad to learn of the passing of Olivia overnight. Her vision and inspiration in driving and supporting the creation of the Olivia Newton-John centre improved the treatment, recovery and quality of life of thousands, including mine. Her continued involvement after the recurrence of her own cancer was brave and inspirational, she will be sorely missed but what a legacy, oh and she could sing pretty well too. - Ian