The actress was diagnosed with breast cancer many years ago. She fought the disease, but eventually lost. “After 30 years, she lost her battle with this disease,” said a source close to the family. She died at a ranch in Southern California on Monday morning local time.
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Newton-John was born in Britain in 1948. Her family moved to Australia six years later. When she was 14 years old, she founded a girl band called Sol Four with three of her classmates. She later took part in Johnny O’Keefe’s Sing, Sing, Sing television talent competition and won first prize.
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The year 1971 became a turning point in her career. She released a single featuring Bob Dylan’s If Not For You, which became an international hit. She was twice named the best British singer by Record Mirror magazine. She often appeared on Cliff Richard’s weekend TV shows and also appeared with him in the TV movie The Case.
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Olivia Newton-John as Sandy and John Travolta in Pomade
Photo: Profimedia.cz
She later left Great Britain and moved to the United States of America. The first successful album was followed by others, but it was one flop after another. Olivia Newton-John even considered quitting professional singing.
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The turning point in her career came after the release of the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Pomade in 1978. She was offered the role of Sandy by producer Allan Carr after a chance meeting at a party. The film became a box office hit in 1978. The film’s soundtrack was also a great success, with three songs ranking in the Top 5 singles. Pomade earned the singer a Golden Globe nomination in the category of best actress in a musical. The song Hopelessly Devoted To You was nominated for an Academy Award and was performed by Olivia Newton John at the 1979 awards.
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In addition to the film, Newton-John continued to devote herself to music, in 1981 she celebrated success with the song Physical from the album of the same name.
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