Newton-John’s husband John Easterling announced Monday evening Dutch time that she had died at her ranch in California surrounded by her family. The actress and singer has been diagnosed with breast cancer three times since 1992. Since then, she has also dedicated herself to breast cancer research and awareness.
The British-Australian Newton-John owes her fame mainly to the film Grease from 1978. In it she played the role of Australian exchange student Sandy, who falls in love with greaser Danny (John Travolta). On the film’s soundtrack, Newton-John sings hits like You’re the One That I Want, Summer Nights (both with Travolta) and Hopelessly Devoted to You (solo).
Newton-John was already 28 at the time and had made a name for himself as a singer of ballads and folk music. After Grease like her character in Sandy in Grease, she made a transformation by adopting a tougher image with more up-tempo music.
Music remained a pillar in her later life, but Newton-John also paid increasing attention to other initiatives. In addition to her efforts on breast cancer, she was involved in animal rights and environmental protection. She leaves behind a daughter from a previous marriage.