Australia’s own Olivia Newton-John was also an actress and activist in addition to her fame as a singer. Having fought breast cancer for 73 years, she passed away on August 8, 2022.
She has been honored with numerous accolades during her career, including numerous Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Awards, Daytime Emmy Awards, and Grammy Awards.
Early Life
A native of Cambridge, England, Olivia Newton-John entered the world on September 26, 1948. Olivia’s family includes her parents, Irene and Brinley, and her two elder siblings, Hugh and Rona; in the early 1980s, Olivia’s older sister Rona was married to her “Grease” co-star, Jeff Conaway.
After serving as Headmaster of Cambridgeshire High School for Boys, Brinley had a career as an MI5 officer during World War II, where he worked on the Enigma project. Max Born, Newton-grandfather John’s on his mother’s side, was a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who escaped Nazi Germany by emigrating to Britain.
Olivia and her family uprooted to Melbourne, Australia when she was 6 years old because her father had taken a position at Ormond College, part of the University of Melbourne. Newton-John went to both Christ Church Grammar School and University High School.
Early Career and Grammy Wins
Olivia Newton-John, who has been performing since she was a child, was born on September 26, 1948, in Cambridge, England, but grew up in Melbourne, Australia. Her role as pristine Sandy in the 1978 musical classic Grease was the beginning of her career as a vocalist, which she began in her teens. Newton-John went to England in the mid-’60s to perform in nightclubs and on television.
The title tune from Newton-third John’s 1973 solo album, Let Me Be There, was recognized with a Grammy for best country female vocal performance. More trophies and number-one albums soon followed. She received the Grammy for record of the year in 1974 for her smash hit “I Honestly Love You,” which also topped the country and pop charts.
Personal Life
Bruce Welch, Olivia’s ex-fiance and the man responsible for producing several of her songs and co-writing “Please Mr. Please,” attempted suicide after their engagement broke up in 1972. Newton-John started dating businessman Lee Kramer, who later became her manager, in 1973.
They were together for the majority of the 1970s despite Newton-claims John that their relationship was “one long breakup.” On December 15, 1984, she wed her “Xanadu” co-star Matt Lattanzi; the couple had a daughter, Chloe Rose (born in January 1986), and later divorced in 1995.
After dating Patrick McDermott, a cameraman/gaffer, on and off for nearly a decade, McDermott vanished in 2005 while fishing off the coast of California. There have been persistent rumors that McDermott is hiding out in Mexico after pretending to die.
Newton-John wed Amazon Herb Company founder John Easterling on June 21, 2008, in Peru; the couple first exchanged vows in an Incan spiritual ceremony before tying the knot legally nine days later on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Olivia Newton-John’s legacy: Her net worth, philanthropic efforts and beyond https://t.co/EAYNvexGMe
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) August 10, 2022
Battle with Cancer And Death
In 1992, Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer. After treatment and a partial mastectomy, she recorded Gaia (1994). Newton-John released Back with a Heart to celebrate Grease’s 20th anniversary. For the album, she re-recorded “I Honestly Love You.”
Newton-2005 John’s album Stronger Than Before was personal. As a cancer survivor, she donated to cancer research and recorded songs to give cancer victims hope and bravery. It incorporates her daughter Chloe’s song “Can I Trust Your Arms.”
The following year, only Walgreens carried Grace and Gratitude. The album was made to accompany Newton-wellness John’s women’s products. Newton-John spent the fall of 2006 touring to promote her new album.
Newton-John led a walk around the Great Wall of China with other cancer survivors to raise money for her Melbourne cancer center. She released A Celebration in Song for the walk (2008). Newton-John and Travolta reunited for the 2012 holiday album This Christmas. The artist was diagnosed with cancer again the following year but didn’t say anything.
John canceled a North American tour in May 2017 after learning her disease had returned. She endured radiotherapy and natural therapies and stays hopeful. “I’m not a statistic. Okay. She told Today, “I’ll probably live with this forever.” “Cancer is manageable if you take care of yourself,” she said.
Newton-John supports environmental issues and organizations and promotes breast health and cancer awareness. Newton-John disclosed she had cancer again in September 2018. The singer has a tumor at the base of her spine and is undergoing treatment, eating healthy, and taking cannabis oil for discomfort.
What Is Olivia Newton-John’s Net Worth?
Olivia Newton-John left behind an estimated net worth of $60 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The composer soared to popularity in the music industry before her big role in 1978’s Grease alongside John Travolta. After beginning her career as a child performer in a band called Soul Four, she signed with Decca Records and released her first single, “Till You Say You’ll Be Mine,” in 1966.
In 1971, the British-Australian actress released her debut studio album, If Not for You. The title tune not only became a smash in the U.K. but in Australia, the U.S., and Canada as well. The next several albums were also quite popular, with songs like “I Truly Love You,” “Have You Never Been Mellow,” and “Please, Mr. Please” topping the charts. She was a great choice to play the lead role in the musical picture released in 1978 which is now considered a classic.
How Much Did Olivia Newton-John Earn In A Month?
The amount Olivia Newton-John used to make per month is currently a heated issue. Her monthly earnings were therefore between $100k and 280k, based on her yearly income.