Grease star Olivia Newton-John dead at 73


Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John — known for her role as Sandy Olsson in the film adaptation of Grease and hit songs like "Physical" and "I Honestly Love You" — has died, husband John Easterling confirmed Monday afternoon. She was 73.
"Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends," Easterling wrote in a post shared on Facebook. "We ask that everyone please respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time."
Newton-John "has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer," the post continued. In lieu of flowers, her family requests "donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund," which is "dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Grease actress revealed she was fighting Stage 4 breast cancer back in October 2021, per Page Six. She was initially diagnosed with the disease in 1992, then again in May 2017, after 25 years in remission. Her storied career counts her among the favorites of the late 1970s to '80s, thanks in part to chart-topping duet "You're the One That I Want," followed later by "Physical," as well as her work in musical Xanadu.
Among others, Newton-John is survived by her husband, her daughter Chloe Lattanzi, her sister Sarah Newton-John, and her brother Toby Newton-John.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
What does 'conquering' Gaza mean to Israel?
Today's Big Question Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has approved a plan to displace much of the Palestinian population while seizing and occupying the territory on a long-term basis.
-
Casey Means: the controversial 'wellness influencer' nominated for surgeon general
In the Spotlight Means has drawn controversy for her closeness to RFK Jr.
-
Trump taps Fox News' Pirro for DC attorney post
speed read The president has named Fox News host Jeanine Pirro to be the top federal prosecutor for Washington, replacing acting US Attorney Ed Martin
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia