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Olivia Newton-John live updates: All the latest news and tributes to Australian legend

Troy de RuyterThe West Australian
Olivia Newton-John and Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman.
Camera IconOlivia Newton-John and Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman. Credit: The West Australian

The world is in mourning following news that Aussie entertainment legend Dame Olivia Newton-John has died at the age of 73 after a long battle with cancer.

Her husband John Easterling announced the news in a social media post, writing that the Grease star had passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California, surrounded by family and friends.

Tributes have started to roll in from family, friends and stars from across the world.

RECAP THE TRIBUTES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE BELOW

Wrapping up

We’re closing down the blog today after a big day in news.

Scroll through the live updates below to follow the day’s events as they took place.

Thanks for joining us!

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Julie’s last moment with ‘gorgeous’ Olivia

Olivia Newton-John has been remembered as “gorgeous, determined, resilient and tenacious” by former foreign minister and friend Julie Bishop.

“She was such a darling. Everyone loved her, as I did,” Ms Bishop said.

Ms Bishop said she fondly remembers the late entertainer’s trip to Canberra in 2017 for her breast cancer advocacy work, when “Olivia … came into my office … we were like two girlfriends … giggling”.

Julie Bishop and Olivia Newton John. Instagram image.
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: Supplied

Ms Bishop said Newton-John was a “real force” who got things done.

“She was determined. She was resilient. Even though she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, she was forceful in her advocacy,” Ms Bishop said.

“She came to Parliament House and went from minister’s office to minister’s office seeking more support on a range of health issues, but particularly breast cancer research.

“I admired her resilience, her determination, her energy, and her tenacity.”

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‘What I loved most about Olivia Newton-John’

Bill Shorten has revealed what he loved most about olivia in an opinion piece for The West Australian.

“Her kindness radiated, and I think that’s part of why we all love her,” the Federal minister writes.

“Sometimes fame can change people, but to me, Olivia’s popularity and her status as a national treasure coupled with who she was made us like her even more.”

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Olivia’s candid interview with The West

Ocker, engaging and self-deprecating in the cutest manner, Olivia Newton-John revealed in 2015 just how much the WA rose named in her honour meant to her.

In an exclusive interview with The West Australian to promote a Margaret River concert with her old friend John Farnham, the singing superstar showed all the honesty and naivety that made her the easily-loveable girl next door.

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Hollywood turns out for Olivia

Gregg Donovan, middle, former ambassador of Beverly Hills Fans, honors actor Olivia Newton-John with flowers on her Hollywood Walk of Fame star in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. Olivia Newton-John, the Grammy-winning superstar who reigned on pop, country, adult contemporary and dance charts with such hits as "Physical" and "You're the One That I Want" has died. She was 73. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Camera IconGregg Donovan, middle, former ambassador of Beverly Hills Fans, honors actor Olivia Newton-John with flowers on her Hollywood Walk of Fame star in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. Olivia Newton-John, the Grammy-winning superstar who reigned on pop, country, adult contemporary and dance charts with such hits as "Physical" and "You're the One That I Want" has died. She was 73. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) Credit: AP

Hollywod’s Walk of Fame, where Olivia Newton-John has a star, has been adorned with flowers.

Flowers adorn Olivia Newton-John's Hollywood Walk of Fame star in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. Newton-John, the Grammy-winning superstar who reigned on pop, country, adult contemporary and dance charts with such hits as "Physical" and "You're the One That I Want" has died. She was 73. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Camera IconFlowers adorn Olivia Newton-John's Hollywood Walk of Fame star in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. Newton-John, the Grammy-winning superstar who reigned on pop, country, adult contemporary and dance charts with such hits as "Physical" and "You're the One That I Want" has died. She was 73. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) Credit: AP
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A light in the dark

Victoria will light up tonight to honour the life of Olivia Newton-John, who grew up in Melbourne.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the tribute would be made to remember the singers “enormous contribution to cancer awareness, research and treatment”.

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‘An absolute saint’

Perth’s own Rove Mcmanus says there will never be another Olivia Newton-John.

The comedian tweeted that she was “equal parts sweetheart and warrior”.

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Livvy’s UFO sighting

When Newton-John was a teenager, she believes she saw a UFO.

Way back in 2009, the star told how she saw a silver object streak across the sky at “amazing speeds” when she was 15.

“It was unidentified and it was flying”, she told the Telegraph newspaper in London.

“In England, most people now think UFOs are possible.

“Twenty years ago, how many people would have thought that?”

Unidentified Flying Object.
Camera IconUnidentified Flying Object. Credit: egal/Getty Images/iStockphoto

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