Olivia Newton-John, the beloved actress and singer, was not only known for her radiant smile, but also for her bravery in openly discussing her battle with breast cancer. By sharing her story, she inspired millions of women facing similar challenges, letting them know they were not alone.

Newton-John first received her devastating diagnosis shortly after the release of her album Back to Basics: The Essential Collection 1971–1992. She immediately put her tour on hold to undergo a partial mastectomy within 24 hours of learning she had cancer.

While doctors assured her that everything would be fine, she still felt uneasy. Recognizing her influence, she made the courageous decision to speak publicly about her journey, raising awareness and earning admiration for her bravery.

“I draw strength from the millions of women who have faced this challenge successfully,” she said at the time.

Nine months after her surgery, Newton-John became a passionate advocate for breast cancer, embracing a healthy lifestyle and investing millions of dollars into a “greenhouse” to support her battle against cancer.

In an interview with the Sunday Mirror in 1993, Olivia expressed her concern about the role of the environment in her illness. She wondered if living in Los Angeles, with its crowded streets and potentially polluted air and water, had contributed to her cancer.

Newton-John recognized that a crucial aspect of the healing process was accepting the support of family, friends, and fans. In a 1994 interview with the Santa Cruz Sentinel, she spoke about the difficulty women face in prioritizing their own well-being.

“As a woman, it’s sometimes very hard to focus on yourself. We’re always focusing on our families, everybody else besides ourselves. We always come last. You know, mother always gets the smallest potato.”

In 2017, Newton-John received the news that her cancer had returned, and this time it had spread to her spine. Despite the challenges, she remained positive, receiving unwavering support from her loved ones and seeking treatment from both the United States and her own Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia. It was during this time that Newton-John shared publicly that she had also battled cancer in 2013.

“A lot of people see it as a fight, and wherever you choose to see it, that’s your prerogative. I see it as part of my… whatever you want to call it. I see it as part of my mission, maybe,” she reflected.

Through her foundation, The Olivia Newton-John Foundation, Newton-John made significant contributions to cancer research. However, her niece, Totti Goldsmith, revealed the challenges the family faced during Newton-John’s final days.

“It’s not a shock. We’ve known how sick she’s been, especially the last five days,” Totti shared with A Current Affair. She described the emotional last conversation she had with her aunt through Facetime, where she expressed all the things she needed to say. Totti felt that Olivia understood and accepted her words.

“It wasn’t just the cancer that got her, it was other complications, being in a hospital and with a very susceptible immune system. She got secondary infections,” Totti explained. She also shared her aunt’s response when asked if she was afraid of dying, saying, “‘I’m not, I’m not afraid. I’ve done more in my life than I could have ever imagined.’”

Olivia Newton-John passed away on August 8. May she rest in peace.

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