Olivia Newton-John's heartbreaking cancer admission months before her death
Olivia Newton-John's heartbreaking cancer admission months before her death
Rhiannon Du Cann & Hollie BealeSat, August 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTC
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Olivia Newton-John died after her 30-year-long battle with cancer four years ago today -Credit:GETTY
Olivia Newton-John died "peacefully" on August 8, 2022, at age 73, surrounded by loved ones at her California residence. Her husband, John Easterling, shared the news via Instagram.
The Grease icon had been living with cancer for three decades following her initial diagnosis in 1992, the same year her father died.
Yet, on the "A Life of Greatness" podcast, Newton-John revealed she personally avoided using the word "fight" when discussing cancer because of its aggressive implications. Instead, she preferred to make "peace" with the illness, reports the Express.
Living with the condition meant the Grammy-winning performer was confronting the reality of an "unwanted" premature death, a topic she addressed openly on the podcast.
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Speaking in February of the previous year, the performer explained: "I talked to my body, and I would ask the cancer to leave, it's not welcome, I don't need it.
"But I don't fight - you know people talk about 'fighting' cancer - for me, that sets up a terrain of acidity and anger that is, for me, not conducive to healing.
"I don't want to fight anything, I want to be at peace with it."
Olivia Newton-John admitted she had "contemplated" death
Newton-John championed cancer research and charitable organizations, establishing the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Center in Melbourne, Australia. The Physical singer went on to say: "I've had quite a few times where I've contemplated [death] as being a possibility sooner than I would have wanted it.
"I mean, we all know that we're going to die. I think we spend our lives, probably, much in denial of it. What I feel about it - it's extremely personal, so I find that hard to put into words.
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"I believe that we are all part of one, one thing, and I've had experiences with spirits, I guess, or spiritual life, or felt the spirit world, or have heard things that I believe there is something that happens.
"I think it's almost like we're part of a big computer and we all go back to the main battery, I don't know.
"I don't have a definite definition of what it is; some people call it heaven, some people call it the universe."
Olivia Newton-John starred alongside John Travolta in Grease -Credit:GETTY
She added, "I just think there's a great knowingness out there that we become part of, and I hope that the energies of the people that you love are there.
"But I think all love will be there because everyone that I know who's had a near-death experience - my husband being one of them - says it is the most unbelievable feeling of love you have ever experienced, and you don't want to come back.
"So I'm kind of looking forward to that - not now, but when it happens."
Newton-John's husband of 14 years serves as CEO of Amazon Herb Company, a venture he founded following his own near-death experience with hepatitis. Tributes poured in for the beloved actress following the announcement of her passing, with her Grease co-stars among those paying their respects.
Olivia Newton-John smiles with her husband -Credit:GETTY
Her close friend and fellow Grease star John Travolta shared a deeply moving message, which read: "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much.
"We will see you down the road, and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!"
Travolta and Newton-John portrayed Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson in the iconic musical film Grease, after Travolta convinced her to accept the role.
Newton-John had initially been reluctant, feeling uncertain about portraying a teenager at the age of 28 — she celebrated her 29th birthday during filming in 1977.
The duo's collaborative tracks "You're The One That I Want" and "Summer Nights" dominated the charts, and their music and "loved" characters continue to be cherished by audiences across multiple generations today.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
