Olivia Newton-John, who fought breast cancer for 30 years, became famous worldwide thanks to her role in the cult musical “Grease” with John Travolta, writes AFP.

He has released more than forty country and pop-rock albums, including the 1981 hit “Physical,” and has performed hundreds of concerts around the world.

Since cancer struck her at the age of 40 – breast cancer and a mastectomy in 1992, then two relapses in 2013 and 2017, with metastases – the star put all her energy and fame into fighting the disease.

“Olivia has been a symbol of triumph and hope for the past 30 years, sharing her experience of battling breast cancer,” her husband wrote, adding that a plant and cancer research fund, the Olivia Newton, was created in her name. – John’s Foundation Fund”.

• At the age of 73, the actress Olivia Newton-John, the star of the series “Grease”, died

“You’re the one I need”

Born in Cambridge on September 26, 1948, the woman who was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II is the granddaughter of German physicist Max Born, whose work on quantum theory won a Nobel Prize.

Her father fought in the British army during the Second World War, participated in the arrest of Rudolf Hess.

Livva was only five years old when her family moved to the other side of the world. Destination: Melbourne, Australia.

At the age of 16, he won a local singing competition. Her mother encouraged her to use her talent, and they both went to England.

The first singles, the first success. In 1974, he represented Great Britain at the Eurovision Song Contest and took 4th place, losing to… Abba.

He then headed to California, where he made a name for himself on the country and western scene. The Anglo-Australian was twice named “America’s Most Popular Singer” and won a Grammy Award for Queen Dolly Parton.

John Travolta, thanks to his success in “Saturday Night Fever”, was named her co-star in “Grease”.

Released in 1978, the film was an instant worldwide success. In France, 6 million tickets were sold… More than for “Girls from Rochefort” or “West Side Story”! Everyone sang “Summer Nights” and “You’re the One I Want.”

Despite such worldwide success, Olivia Newton-John did not continue her film career for long. After a few films, she mostly devoted herself to singing and her California farm, where she lived surrounded by animals.