Olivia Newton-John Remembered: Tributes Pour in for Movie, Music Icon

Olivia Newton-John passed away on Monday at the age of 73, according to her family, prompting an array of social media users to post tributes to the movie and music icon online.

"Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time," her husband, John Easterling, wrote in a post on her Facebook page. "Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer."

The post continued, "In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund (ONJFoundationFund.org)."

Shortly after her death was reported, Twitter users remembered the actress by posting pictures of Newton-John as her character Sandy from the 1978 movie Grease, in which she starred opposite John Travolta.

In an Instagram post, Travolta shared a photo of a young Newton-John and wrote: "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!"

Filmmaker James Gunn also posted a tweet following her death, saying: "Really sad to hear about the passing of Olivia Newton-John. My first real crush as a kid. I loved Grease & her music & I coincidentally also bought & lived in for a while the wonderful home she built in Malibu. May she Rest In Peace."

Actor George Takei said: "We have lost a great, iconic artist in Olivia Newton John, gone too soon from us at age 73. I trust she is now in the great Xanadu beyond. Know that we are forever hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia. Rest in song and mirth," alluding to the 1980 movie Xanadu, that she starred in.

Yashar Ali of New York magazine wrote: "The legendary Olivia Newton-John has died at 73," and shared the Facebook post announcing her passing.

Broadcaster and journalist, Dan Wootton, posted an old picture of Newton-John and wrote: "Olivia Newton John. An all time great. Forever a fighter. Forever Sandy. Lost to the world at just 73 after 30 years of battling breast cancer. What a sad day."

The High Commission of Australia in London also posted a picture of the actress and wrote: "We are terribly saddened by the passing of Dame Olivia Newton-John AC DBE. British born and Australian raised, Dame Olivia inspired us in song and brought us together as one. We remember her with our British friends, and send our deepest condolences to her loved ones."

Meanwhile, comedian Anna Roisman wrote: "Olivia Newton John was a legend, an icon, a talent, and I became obsessed with her and Grease from the moment I watched it. Who didn't? I'm so sad to hear of her passing, but glad I got to see her perform live in Newark a few years ago. Wouldn't go to Newark for anyone else!"

Newsweek reached out to Newton-John's representatives for comment.

Over the past several years, Newton-John has been battling a recurrence of breast cancer, after she was first diagnosed with the disease in 1992. In 2018, she told Australia's Sunday Night that she was being treated with cannabis oil and said, "My dream is that in Australia soon it will be available to all the cancer patients and people going through cancer or any kind of disease that causes pain."

According to People, Newton-John spoke about her ongoing battle with cancer in 2020 and said, "I'm winning over it well and that's how I see it. I don't think about it a lot, to be honest. Denial is a really good thing and I'm getting stronger and better all the time! I'm doing well!"