I’m Grateful for Every Day
THE BELOVED SINGER OPENS UP ABOUT HER HEALTH BATTLE, LENDING A HAND TO AN OLD FRIEND, AND HOW SHE ENVISIONS A WORLD FREE FROM CANCER
She doesn’t ride anymore, but Olivia Newton-John takes delight in the miniature horses she keeps on her California ranch. Whenever she is feeling a little down, Harry and Winston, with their dark eyes, gentle nuzzles and sweet dispositions, boost her spirits. “I try to do something for myself every day that I love,” she tells Closer exclusively. “A lot of times it’s going down and seeing my horses or sitting out in the garden. I feel very grateful for all of that.”
Taking pleasure in being alive has become essential for Olivia. The Australianreared star was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and thought she had defeated the disease twice, only to learn in 2017 that it had metastasized and spread to her bones. But thanks to her positive attitude and a combination of therapies, Olivia, 72, is thriving. “I’ve been through it so many times that it’s like, ‘Oh, here we go again,’” she reveals. “I have a sense of humor about it.” And if she does feel a case of the blues coming on, “I pull myself back and try and live in the moment, because the moment is all we have,” she says. “I’m extremely grateful — and enjoying everything.”
The recent passing of Kelly Preston, the wife of her Grease co-star John Travolta, hit Olivia particularly hard. “I’ve lost too many friends to cancer. Kelly was such a beautiful, radiant, lovely woman,” says Olivia, who immediately sought out John, 66, and continues to offer him love and support. “It was an incredible tragedy.”
The sanctuary of her California ranch has brought comfort during the pandemic. “I feel like I’ve been traveling and living out of a suitcase my whole life, so I’m just enjoying my time with my husband and animals,” shares Olivia, who’s also been indulging her artistic side by painting and doing a little redecorating. “Just having days where I don’t have to be somewhere has been amazing,” she says. “I watched a whole season come and go, which I don’t think I’ve done in one place before.”
LOOKING FORWARD
But Olivia has not been idle. She recently launched the Olivia Newton-John Foundation to explore alternative treatments for cancer — including cannabis, which she has been using since her husband John Easterling, 68, a longtime advocate of plant medicine, urged her to try it a few years ago. “He’s an expert — he grows it and makes me tinctures, which has helped me immensely with pain, inflammation, sleep and anxiety,” she explains. “Having had surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, [I think] it would be wonderful if we could find kinder ways of treating people with cancer.”
On Nov. 30, Julien’s Auctions will begin accepting bids on 300 pieces of Olivia’s personal memorabilia to raise money for her foundation. “There’s music items I’ve signed, clothing and Zoom calls, so peo
“I want to be able to give back and help other people with cancer.”
— Olivia
ple can bid on having a chat with me,” explains Olivia.
Overall, the singer has been feeling well, but she never takes a good day for granted and follows a strict regimen. “I take my vitamins, my herbs,” says the star, who also recently changed her diet. “I’ve been eating vegan for the last few months because my daughter [singer Chloe Lattanzi, 34,] is visiting me and she’s a vegan,” she says. “I’m feeling very good on it.”
So good that Olivia has agreed to film a cameo role in a new movie scheduled to begin shooting in 2021. Acting and singing, however, aren’t her biggest ambitions these days. “I think I’ve accomplished everything I dreamt of and more,” admits Olivia, reflecting on her 50-year career. “Now I want to give back and find the answers to a world beyond cancer. That’s my dream.”