Dame Olivia Newton-John’s family are to be offered a state funeral for the late star. The ‘Grease’ actress – who was born in England, but her family emigrated to Australia when she was six years old – passed away at her ranch home in Southern California on Monday aged 73, and now Daniel Andrews, the Premier of Victoria, is planning to contact her family to propose a memorial in the Australian state.
He said: “As for celebrating her life … her music and film and all the other amazing contributions that she made, we would, of course, want to speak to the family and be as respectful as we can.”
In Victoria, Newton-John, who had battled breast cancer for 30 years, already has a building named after her, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, and Andrews admitted it is a “lasting legacy”.
He added: “She took her cancer journey and used that to save lives and change lives, and that’s just a deeply impressive thing.
The research that’s done there [at cancer and wellness centre], the treatment, the care, the love and support that is central to that place is a lasting legacy to the person that she was. Newton-John’s husband of 14 years, John Easterling, shared a statement across the star’s social media channels on Monday, confirming she had passed away.
It read: “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.
Source: People
In other news – Thank you for choosing to be a part of our family – Phumeza Mdabe celebrates son’s birthday
Phumeza Mdabe has taken to her social media to pen down a heartfelt message to her son as he turns a year older today. The star shared a video of her son from birth to his present age.
Phumeza said she is grateful to him for choosing to be part of their family. Learn more
