Olivia Newton-John Dies At 73 Transcript

Speaker 1: (00:01) We are following some breaking news now. Olivia Newton-John, the beloved actress and singer has died at the age of 73. Her husband posted the news on her official Facebook page a little while ago, saying that she passed away peacefully at her home in Southern California. Olivia Newton-John is best known, of course, for starring as Sandy in Greece, alongside John Travolta. She publicly battled breast cancer for decades. NBC News Correspondent Katie Beck has a look at her life and career. Katie Beck: (00:31) She stole America's heart as Sandy. The Aussie good girl, dancing and singing beside John Travolta in Greece. Among the most successful movie musicals ever made, her career as a singer started years before as a child growing up in Australia. By the 70s, Newton-John now an accomplished singer making solo albums and her way to the United States. The song Let Me Be There from her third album earned the first of four Grammys for Newton-John. Katie Beck: (01:09) More country and pop hits would follow. Newton-John attempted her musical film success again with Xanadu. That film wasn't a hit. Katie Beck: (01:21) In the early 80s, the good girl from Greece tried a different look. Her steamy Physical topped charts for 10 consecutive weeks. Olivia Newton-John: (01:30) It's hilarious because that was so naughty in its time, and so nothing now. Katie Beck: (01:35) And in 1992, life took a frightening turn. Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer. After chemotherapy, homeopathy, and a partial mastectomy, she recovered. Newton-John's purpose and passion became cancer. Katie Beck: (01:52) It channeled to her music. Olivia Newton-John: (01:54) ... to give women inspiration, hopefully, to fight the fight. Katie Beck: (01:57) Raising money and later opening a cancer and wellness center in Australia. In addition to cancer, Newton-John became an advocate for the environment and animal rights and kept singing. In 2017, she halted her tour when she announced her cancer had returned, this time to her lower spine. Newton-John leaves behind her husband, John Easterling and her daughter, Chloe from her first marriage. Katie Beck: (02:22) After a five decade career, her legacy as timeless as her songs. Katie Beck, NBC News. Speaker 4: (02:33) Thanks for watching our YouTube channel. Follow today's top stories and breaking news by downloading the NBC News app.