‘OUR 40-YEAR SECRET’
THE STARS REVEAL THEIR DECADES-LONG RELATIONSHIP
They are two of Australia’s most iconic showbiz legends, with blockbuster careers and a close friendship that has spanned more than 40 years.
But few know the truth of the strong bond shared by Paul Hogan and Olivia Newton-john – a tender story of enduring devotion that has got the pair through decades of highs and lows.
And while their connection has never turned romantic, friends tell New Idea there’s long been a strong connection between the two that has helped them through some of the darkest times.
‘Olivia and Hoges have been friends for years – but not just the usual celebrity friends who say hi when they’re at the same event and chatter on at parties,’ says a source close to Olivia.
‘They’ve both been through a lot of similar highs and lows – divorce, scandal, kids who’ve gone through their share of crises – so they’ve become a real support to one another over the years.
‘They call each other a lot and are in each other’s lives fairly heavily. They made a pact decades ago to always be there for one another, and they’ve never wavered from that. ’
Hoges’ deep affection for Olivia was apparent when he spoke out about his 69-yearold friend’s recent battle with cancer, calling the diagnosis a ‘tragedy’.
‘Send all my best wishes to my old friend Olivia. I’ve known her for over 40 years; she is an absolute princess,’ The Crocodile Dundee star said.
As well as being a ‘rock of support’ through her recent health dramas, Hoges and Olivia have found strength in one another when it comes to their struggles as parents over the years.
Paul’s youngest child Chance – his 19-year-old son
with ex-wife Linda Kozlowski – attracted headlines for all the wrong reasons after he was photographed smoking a suspicious cigarette. The young teen has also raised eyebrows over his expletive-ridden social media rants and his lyrics about ‘hitting Daddy with a baseball bat’.
Olivia’s daughter 31-year-old Chloe, meanwhile, has also been a cause for concern for the Grease star over the years, with her battles with anorexia, alcohol abuse and an $80-a-day cocaine habit that landed her in rehab.
‘Paul and Olivia both have wild kids growing up in LA, so it’s obvious that they’ve opened up to one another about the tough times,’ says the source. ‘Especially since Paul’s divorce from Linda, he’s enjoyed having Olivia to count on and call for advice. He’d be lost without her.’
While their friendship has been serious of late, it’s clear that they had a lot of fun in their early years. Recounting a trip to a gay bar, Paul talks fondly of the laughs he’s shared with Olivia.
‘I went into one with Olivia Newton-john, actually,’ he revealed in 2001. ‘It was very funny. That happened a few years ago, quite a few years ago.
‘She took me to this uh, bar, her and her sister, a restaurant bar, and I said: “I don’t like it here. All these guys are real good lookin’, you know?” It sorta made you feel like you’re the ugliest person in the room.
‘And I said: “They’re all pervin’ on you too. They’re all lookin’ at you.” And she said: “Oh no, they’re not lookin’ at us, they’re lookin’ at you!” Oi!’
Such was their bond, that a source close to Paul’s ex-wife Linda says she was always jealous of Olivia during her marriage to the 78-year-old.
‘Linda always knew there was nothing going on, but Paul and Liv had such chemistry when they were around each other that she couldn’t help but feel a little threatened,’ says a source. ‘They’re both Aussie, both gorgeous and they had this connection and chemistry. She couldn’t help but be jealous of Olivia, it’s true.’
‘THEY MADE A PACT... TO ALWAYS BE THERE FOR ONE ANOTHER AND HAVE NEVER WAVERED FROM THAT.’