09 Aug 2022
Remembering Olivia Newton-John – a champion of wellness
BY Megan Whitby
Actress, singer and long-term wellness advocate, Dame Olivia Newton-John has died aged 73.
Newton-John became a passionate champion of the wellness industry after first being diagnosed with cancer in 1996.
She openly shared her 30-year journey with the disease – which saw her fight breast cancer three times – and became dedicated to spreading the word about the importance of early detection.
Newton-John raised millions of pounds for research in the field through her charity, the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund. This resulted in her being awarded a Damehood by the Queen in 2020.
One of her most notable contributions to the wellness industry involved co-launching Gaia Retreat & Spa in New South Wales, Australia, in 2005, alongside Gregg Cave, Ruth Kalnin and Warwick Evans.
At the time, Spa Business spoke to her about her wellness mission and you can click here to read our interview with Newton-John and Cave about the inception of Gaia and how health and wellness was at the core of her life (pp.46-48).
In 2019, Newton-John and the Gaia team unveiled a dedicated skincare line called Retreatment Botanics.
“Olivia will forever be remembered for her dedication to wellness, natural healing and her belief in the healing power of Mother Earth, which has so profoundly helped and will continue to help so many,” announced the retreat, in a statement.
Newton-John went on to open the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia, in 2012.
According to an official statement by her husband John Easterling – the founder of Amazon Herb Company – the actress passed away at her Ranch in Southern California, surrounded by family and friends. The cause of death has not been officially confirmed.
“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 will continue with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.”
Tributes have been flowing in from around the world in memory of Newton-John, including sentiments from her Grease co-star John Travolta, US talkshow host Oprah Winfrey and singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue.
“Since I was 10 years old, I have loved and looked up to Olivia Newton-John. And, I always will,” said Minogue on Twitter, also a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed in 2005.
“She was, and always will be, an inspiration to me in so many, many ways.”
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