Esteemed actress and entertainment legend Dame Olivia Newton-John has died, leaving behind a legacy as one of the top-selling artists of her time.
The British-born performer emigrated with her family to Australia at the age of six, and after an early career appearing on Aussie TV shows like The Go! Show and talent competition Sing, Sing, Sing, Newton-John moved to the UK, where she began singing in London’s club circuit.
Her major break came in 1971 with the launch of her first solo album, If Not For You.
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Since then, Newton-John’s career saw her win four Grammy Awards, 10 American Music Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a 1978 Oscars nomination for the song Hopelessly Devoted To You, which appeared in the 1978 film Grease.
It’s estimated she died with a net worth of around $US60 million ($A85.9 million), which she accumulated through her business ventures, and illustrious singing and acting career, which she later parlayed into her activism.
Olivia Newton-John’s most iconic roles
During her career, Newton-John appeared in 15 films and released 26 studio albums, including six soundtracks and 70 singles.
Internationally, Newton-John was perhaps best known for her iconic portrayal of Sandy in Grease. At the time she was 29 – seven years older than her co-star John Travolta.
While it’s unknown how much she was paid for her appearance in the film, in 2006, she sued Universal Music Group Inc for unpaid royalties. The breach-of-contract suit said Newton-John’s company, ON-J Productions, Ltd was owed more than $US1 million ($A1.5 million) in royalties and other contractual payments.
While Universal attempted to dismiss the claims, it was later announced that they had reached an undisclosed conditional settlement with Newton-John.
In an effort to raise money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, the entertainer auctioned off her Grease memorabilia in 2019. On the auction list was her iconic ‘Pink Ladies’ jacket, black leather pants and leather jacket, as well as signed memorabilia, photos and other accessories. The entire auction raised more than $A3.4 million, with the iconic leather jacket selling for $A348,500 alone.
She also represented the UK in the 1974 Eurovision song contest where she sang Long Live Love. Coming fourth, she was bested by ABBA, who won with Waterloo.
Olivia Newton-John’s other ventures
Aside from her acting and performances, Newton-John was also well-known for her activism for animal rights, environmental issues and breast cancer awareness. The mum-of-one was diagnosed with the disease in 1992. In 2017, she announced her breast cancer had returned and progressed stage 4. It was also revealed this was her third bout of breast cancer, however it had metastasised to her lower back.
While she’s campaigned for several breast cancer organisations, in 2012 she opened the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia.
Newton-John was also one of the founders of Byron Bay’s most renowned wellness resorts, Gaia Retreat & Spa. Opening in 2005, the 22-room boutique sits on 8-hectares of hinterland and offers a day spa, saltwater pool and walking tracks.
Founded in 2005, Newton-John and Gaia’s three other joint-founders sold the business to private investment group Tattarang, which is owned by Fortescue mining magnate Andrew and his wife Nicola Forrest. The property was sold for $30 million and executed by Colliers.
At the time, a statement was issued on behalf of herself and her co-owners, in which she said the time had come for her to “pass the baton”.
“Over these blessed years, co-owners Gregg Cave, Ruth Kalnin, Warwick Evans and myself have helped make Gaia ‘heaven on earth’ by creating a healing and loving place that has become so important to us and our guests from all over the world,” Newton-John said.
“Having won so many humbling and outstanding awards, we have decided it is time to ‘pass the baton’ to new custodians so they can continue our positive message that Gaia is ‘your time out to reconnect, breathe and surrender’.
However, she had less success with her US-based leisurewear line Koala Blue. While at its peak, the brand had more than 60 stores in Hong Kong, Canada, Japan, France, the US and Australia, it was put into liquidation in 1992.
Three years prior, the business had made $A22.22 million in 1989, however the company suffered heavy losses during the early ’90s recession, the Australian Financial Review reported.
“We expanded so fast when the recession hit, we really got hurt,” Newton-John said.
Olivia Newton-John dies aged 73
News of the beloved entertainer’s death broke on Tuesday morning, with her husband, John Easterling confirming the news.
Newton-John died at her ranch in Southern California surrounded by her family and friends. Her family have also asked for donations to be made to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, in lieu of flowers.
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“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer,” a post made to her official Instagram read.
“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.”
She is survived by daughter Chloe Rose Lattanzi, whose father is Newton-John’s first husband Matt Lattanzi.
