A Life Well Lived
Remembering the life of Olivia Newton-John
P. P. Zhang
ON MONDAY THE 8TH OF AUGUST, AUSTRALIA MOURNED THE PASSING OF ONE OF OUR OWN. At the age of 73, Dame Olivia Newton-John’s battle with breast cancer ended peacefully. Her husband confirmed the news of her death, adding that “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer”, calling her “the most courageous woman [he’s] ever known”. In 2017, it had been announced that her breast cancer had returned and progressed to Stage IV, as well as metastasising to her lower back, which sadly resulted in her passing.
There are few who are as influential in as many ways as Olivia Newton-John was. Perhaps she is best known for her standout role in Grease, a film that sports infectious tunes, a rollercoaster of emotions and nostalgia that permeates through generations. Additionally, she not only won 4 Grammys, with a music career that included five number-one hits, but also was an animal and environmental rights activist, as well as advocating for breast cancer research, having been diagnosed with it three times. In addition to all this, Newton-John also performed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony. It was her services to cancer research, charity and ultimately entertainment that earned her the title of Dame (DBE) in 2020, the highest honour a civilian can receive.
Tributes have flown in for the star’s death including from her Grease co-star John Travolta, Kylie Minogue as well as the prime minister Anthony Albanese. Many places in Sydney and Melbourne have lit up their landmarks as a tribute to the remarkable life of Olivia Newton-John. She took the world by storm in the 70s, and this week, she was taken from us far too soon.
Olivia Newton-John made it to the big stage from the shy suburbs of Melbourne. In the pre-internet age of the 1970s, a rise to fame like that of Newton-John’s was incredibly rare; it can only be attributed to her unwavering determination and resolve combined with a hint of magic that caused her to become one of Australia’s most successful and significant figures.
So as the summer nights slowly approach, we’ll all be singing “tell me more, tell me more”, captivated by the voice of a star who won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
