What kept Olivia Newton-John going as she faced down cancer over 30 years of her life?
Here's how she helped herself, and others, get through it.
Without a doubt, Olivia Newton-John was one of the most influential faces in pop culture.
The Australian actor shot to superstardom with her starring role in "Grease," but her
success transcended the big screen.
Her music career was also a massive success, with five of her songs charting on the Billboard
Hot 100, including the iconic hit "Physical," which stayed at the top of the charts for
10 consecutive weeks in 1981.
Sadly, Newton-John died at the age of 73 on August 8 after a lengthy battle with breast
cancer.
According to Daily Mail, her passing prompted tributes from many other stars, including
her "Grease" co-star, John Travolta.
At the time of her death, her husband, John Easterling, wrote on Facebook:
"We ask that everyone please respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time.
Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with
breast cancer."
Newton-John fought cancer three times before her death, becoming a fierce advocate for
other survivors in the process.
She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, according to NBC News.
7News notes she had another bout with cancer in her shoulder in 2013.
While some people might have cursed their bad luck, Newton-John counted her blessings
instead.
After all, she made it clear many times over that the best way to recover is to believe
you can recover.
Amid her final battle with cancer, Newton-John made it a point to focus on keeping a brave
face, even when faced with something as unpredictable as cancer.
Of course, Newton-John was well aware that doubts were normal.
She told Australian Women's Weekly,
"I mean, there are times when you go, 'Oh gosh, what's going to happen?'
But at the bottom of all that, you have to believe you'll be okay because your attitude
is so important to your healing."
Newton-John believed that, quote, "the body wants to heal naturally," and it's up to you
to help it along the way.
However, the secret to her ability to stay upbeat while ailing was simple — she'd been
through it all before.
Newton-John felt perspective was important.
She told 7News in 2019:
"There are people out there doing much, much worse than me.
I now live in this beautiful place, I have a wonderful husband, I have all the animals
that I adore, I have an incredible career, I have nothing really to complain about."
"I'm one of millions in this fight.
'Fight.'
I shouldn't say 'fight.'
In this journey."
According to The Guardian, the actor developed a habit of singing "I'm healthy, I'm strong"
as a means of maintaining a positive attitude.
After her health struggles, she became a strong believer that,
"If you have a difficult moment, music is always a great healer."
She went on to tell The Guardian,
"You never know when your time is over; we all have a finite amount of time on this planet,
and we just need to be grateful for that.
It's been a part of my life for so long.
I felt something was wrong.
It's concerning when it comes back, but I thought: 'I'll get through it again.'"
As for how she used that time, Newton-John rededicated herself to activism.
In 2015, she started the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre.
"I feel very confident that with all the support that I have, and the support of this wonderful
team here at the ONJ, that⁠ — isn't that funny, to call my own place the ONJ?"
The center is dedicated to guiding patients through cancer treatment and finding new ways
to combat the disease.
Her husband John Easterling wrote after her death:
"Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia
Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia
Newton-John Foundation Fund."
According to Us Weekly, Newton-John's ultimate goal was to, quote, "find a world beyond cancer."
She further elaborated,
"My dream is that one day the ONJ Centre will be only about Wellness, and we will no longer
need cancer centers because cancer will be a thing of the past."
While she didn't live to see that dream come true, Newton-John's legacy offers the hope
that others won't have to go through what she did.