Olivia Newton-John shared this final heartbreaking photo with husband before death

Olivia Newton-John shared one final heartbreaking image on Instagram on Friday just three days before she passed away from cancer aged 73. 

The British-Australian actress and singer had posted a happy throwback photo with her beloved husband John Easterling, 70, simply writing: ‘Flashback Friday’ but she made no reference to her health struggles. 

Her final post came as Hollywood mourns one of its brightest stars with tributes pouring in from all across the globe. 

One of the star’s first high-profile friends to pay tribute was her Grease co-star John Travolta.

‘My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again,’ he captioned an Instagram post alongside a photo of Newton-John.

‘Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!’ 

Farewell: Olivia Newton-John shared a final, throwback heartbreaking Instagram post with husband John Easterling on Friday just three days before she passed away from cancer aged 73 – as tributes poured in from Hollywood

In memory: Newton-John’s Instagram was mostly made up of flashback posts from throughout her career, but on April 18 the star shared a rare candid photo of herself with a beaming smile beside a bed of sunflowers 

Meanwhile, Richard Wilkins broke down on the Today show as he spoke about the death of his long-time friend. 

Wilkins, 68, burst into tears as his last interview with Olivia was aired.

Today host Karl Stefanovic left his seat on the panel to comfort his colleague as he wiped away tears.

‘I didn’t want to do this,’ Wilkins wept.

‘It’s alright,’ Stefanovic said while hugging the presenter. ‘This woman was extraordinary.’

Richard appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Tuesday and revealed he had texted John to offer his condolences, and said he is understandably very cut up about her death. 

Iconic role: Olivia is most known for her famous role as Sandy in the 1978 movie Grease (pictured, Newton-John with Grease co-star John Travolta)

Heartbreaking: Grease co-star John Travolta was among the first to pay tribute to Newton-John writing: ‘your Danny, your John’ under a photo (above) of the star

Poignant: John wrote this touching caption alongside the beautiful throwback image of his co-star 

He said: ‘I texted John. One of the weird things about the job I do, when something like this happens – it is almost exactly 12 hours ago that I got the phone call from one of our producers who told us the horrible news.

‘You go to work, talk about Olivia all day and you find yourself reaching out to people. Most of the people around her who you would expect and like to hear from aren’t ready to talk publicly, and such is the nature of social media that people can issue statements. But aside from that, a lot of people – John is heartbroken; he’s too raw to talk.’

He added: ‘They, of course, shared an enormously close bond after starring in one of the world’s favourite movies together. Olivia leaves such a great hole in the world. 

Among other tributes included Australian singer Delta Goodrem, who honoured her beloved ‘mentor and friend’.

Deepest condolences: In a sweet Instagram tribute, Kylie Minogue, 54, shared a throwback photo of the pair in 1988. ‘I have loved and looked up to Olivia Newton-John. And, I always will,’

Delta, 37, shared pictures of herself hugging Olivia and said she was ‘like family’ to her.

‘I love you forever,’ Delta wrote in her moving post. ‘The whole world will feel this heartbreak today because the entire world felt Olivia’s unmatched light. A force for good. A force of nature. Strong and kind.’

‘My mentor, my friend, my inspiration, someone who always guided me… she was always there for me. Family to me.’

She added: ‘I don’t have all the words I would like to say today but I hope everyone will join in celebrating our beloved Olivia, her heart, soul, talent, courage, grace… I love you forever ❤️.’

The Lost Without You songstress famously played the Aussie icon in the 2018 TV miniseries, Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted to You.

Kylie Minogue shared a throwback photo of herself and Olivia side by side at the Royal Bicentennial Concert.Kylie appears to be starstruck by the Grease star, as she looks on at her idol.

Emotional: Host Karl Stefanovic left his seat on the panel to comfort his colleague Richard Wilkins who broke down in tears 

Painful: Richard appeared on British TV show Good Morning Britain on Tuesday and revealed he had texted John to offer his condolences, and said he is understandably very cut up about her death

She wrote: ‘Since I was ten years old, I have loved and looked up to Olivia Newton John. And, I always will. She was and always will be, an inspiration to me in so many, many ways. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. x ONJ4EVER.’

Bindi Irwin shared a photo of herself holding the iconic actress’ hand during a charity event and wrote: ‘One of the kindest and most wonderful souls the world has ever known.’

‘Love and Light ONJ. You were a true icon and I absolutely adored you,’ Rebel Wilson also said.

Barbra Streisand wrote on Instagram: ‘Too young to leave this world. May she RIP.’

Antonio Banderas said: ‘Rest in peace, Olivia Newton-John. Deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.’

Heartbroken: Delta Goodrem paid tribute to her beloved ‘mentor and friend’ Olivia Newton-John after the Grease star’s death at the age of 73 following a lengthy cancer fight

‘A force of nature’: Delta shared this sweet caption alongside the black and white image of herself with Olivia 

Australian singer Vanessa Amorosi became overcome with emotion on Tuesday after Olivia Newton-John‘s death, during a live interview on Sunrise. 

The 41-year-old was chatting to hosts Natalie Barr and David ‘Kochie’ Koch about performing at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham when she was asked about her memories with late Grease star Olivia. 

Towards the end of the chat, Vanessa called time on the interview as she broke down in tears after a picture of herself, Olivia and Tina Arena flashed up on screen. 

Peter Andre took to Instagram to share an image alongside Olivia when they performed in a charity concert together, after it was revealed she died following a 30-year battle with breast cancer. 

Too hard to carry on: Australian singer Vanessa Amorosi cut short her live interview on Sunrise on Tuesday, as she learned the news of Olivia Newton-John’s death and became overcome with emotion

In the caption Peter, who has been starring in a West End revival of Grease, described Olivia as a ‘warm, kind and loving person,’ who ‘spent time speaking to everyone backstage’ after they worked together decades earlier.

Peter, who was among a slew of stars who paid tribute to Olivia, penned the caption: ‘My sister Debbie just sent me this photo. The night of the Spina Bifida charity concert in Australia where I had the privilege to perform alongside Dame Olivia Newton John. 

‘This photo reminds me what a warm, kind and giving person she was. She smiled constantly and spent time speaking to everyone backstage. I will never forget it.’

Earlier that evening, Peter had shared another tribute to Olivia, adding in a poignant note that ‘Grease would be very different for them now.’

Sharing a trio of images of Olivia throughout her life, the caption said: ‘This has made me really really sad. I have had the privilege of meeting the incredible Olivia a few times and even worked with her on a special Spina Bifida concert in Australia.

Sweet: Peter Andre shared a touching throwback snap with Olivia Newton-John as he shared his memories of her 

 

A tragedy! Earlier that evening, Peter had shared another tribute to Olivia, adding in a poignant note that ‘Grease would be very different for them now’

Paying tribute: In the caption the star said Olivia ‘lit up every room,’ after it was announced on Monday she’d passed away following a battle with cancer

‘She was lovely in every way. Always lit up the room. Thoughts with her family. RIP…. Grease will feel very different for us now. #brave #strongwoman #iconic @therealonj #olivianewtonjohn #grease #letsgetphysical #xanadu #spinabifida.’

Shane Warne‘s ex-wife Simone Callahan shared a sweet tribute and  posted a video montage containing pictures of her late cricketer husband Shane and Olivia together, as well as the Grease star in the 1980 film Xanadu. 

‘You will always be my Queen, one more angel in heaven,’ Simone captioned her post. May you rest in peace beautiful Dame Olivia Newton John ❤️ We will miss you.’ 

Simone went on to say that Olivia passed away on August 8, the release date of her iconic film Xanadu. 

The movie is about an artist who falls in love with Newton-John’s character and Greek muse Kira. 

‘The Irony that she passed on the 42nd anniversary of Xanadu because to so many she was an Inspiration and icon, so much grace, talent and beauty,’ Simone said. 

Paying tribute: Her daughter Chloe Lattanzi shared a photo with her mother just three days before her death, writing: ‘I worship this woman. My mother. My best friend’

‘I worship this woman’: Her daughter shared a moving post alongside some beautiful images 

‘Vale Olivia Newton-John, I hope you’ve found Xanadu.’ 

Actress Mandy Moore, 38, shared a black and white photo of the star, with the caption ‘Thank you for the joy you brought countless people around the world.’ 

Meanwhile her other Grease co-tar Stockard Channing, 78, called Olivia ‘the essence of summer’ in a statement to People.

‘I don’t know if I’ve known a lovelier human being. Olivia was the essence of summer – her sunniness, her warmth and her grace are what always come to mind when I think of her. I will miss her enormously.’

George Takei, 85, also paid tribute to the actress, writing on Twitter: ‘We have lost a great, iconic artist in Olivia Newton John, gone too soon from us at age 73.’ 

‘I trust she is now is the great Xanadu beyond. Know that we are forever helplessly devoted to you, Olivia. Rest in song and mirth.’

Singer Richard Marx, 58, posted photos of himself along with the late actress, writing: ‘My heart is broken. Rest now, sweet friend. You were as kind and loving a person as there’s ever been. I’ll miss you every day.’ 

 

RIP: Barbra Streisand shared this throwback image of herself wIth Olivia and wrote that she was ‘too young to leave this world’

Rest in peace: Fellow actor Antonio Banderas also paid tribute to Olivia via social media 

Singer Dionne Warwick, 81, wrote ‘Another angelic voice has been added to the Heavenly Choir. Not only was Olivia a dear friend, but one of the nicest people I had the pleasure of recording and performing with. I will most definitely miss her. She now Rests in the Arms of the Heavenly Father.’ 

Broke Shields, 57, shared a lovely black and white photo of her and Olivia to Instagram, writing: ‘A true class act whose light shines everywhere she went… she inspired us all.’

‘A wonderful mother and wife, who was grace and strength personified. Sending all of my love to Olivias family and friends. She’ll never be forgotten.’

Scarface star Michelle Pfeiffer, 64, posted a photo of her and Olivia writing ‘Thank you for your art and talent you gifted us all so graciously with. You will be so greatly missed.’ 

Dancing With The Stars pro Peta Murgatroyd, 36, shared an Instagram Story, writing: ‘This has done me over today. An Aussie icon and legend, there will never be another. This is so tragic. RIP the beloved Sandy.’ 

Tribute: Shane Warne ‘s ex-wife Simone Callahan shared a sweet tribute to Olivia after the singer’s death following a 30-year battle with cancer 

Underworld star Kate Beckinsale, 49, posted a snap of the star as Sandy, writing ‘RIP, absolute icon. Thank you for the years of joy.’ 

‘RIP What an icon,’ Katharine McPhee, 38, wrote over a photo of a younger Olivia looking radiant in a black trench coat. 

X-Men star Hugh Jackman, 53, wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram revealing Olivia was his first ‘crush’ and that he kissed her poster ‘every night before bed.’

‘I’m devastated to hear the news that @therealonj has passed away. One of the great privileges of my life was getting to know her. Not only was she one of the most talented people I’ve known… she was one of the most open hearted, generous and funny.’

‘She was a one of kind spirit. It’s no secret Olivia was my first crush. I kissed her (poster) every night before bed. Her legacy will only grow stronger in the years to come. A fighter for healing from cancer that knows no bounds. I love you Olivia.’ 

Forever: Actress Elle Fanning, 24, posted a beautiful photo of the star writing: ‘Forever icon’

Actress Goldie Hawn, 76, shared an iconic video of herself on stage with Olivia, Meryl Streep, Bette Midler, and Cher as they performed What A Wonderful World during an all-star charity concert in 1990 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.

‘A light landed on this planet 73 years ago. Her voice brought us to such joyous heights, nothing held her back, nothing. Her mind was strong and heroic. Olivia’s light will continue to shine and will never flicker. Never. Rest sweetheart. Rest peacefully, you are Love,’ she wrote in her caption underneath. 

Her daughter Kate Hudson, 43, also paid homage to the legendary star. While paying her respects to the Australian icon, the Almost Famous star shared a video of herself singing Hopelessly Devoted To You, first crooned by Newton-John’s character, Sandy Olsson, in Grease (1978).

As she cradled her three-year-old daughter, Rani Rose, in her arms, the mother-three belted out the chorus before penning a heartfelt tribute to her ‘inspiration.’

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna, 59, shared an autographed photo of Olivia with the words ‘Rest In Peace.’ 

Rest in peace: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna, 59, shared an autographed photo of Olivia with the words ‘Rest In Peace’ 

Icon: ‘RIP What an icon,’ Katharine McPhee, 38, wrote over a photo of a younger Olivia looking radiant in a black trench coat 

Yolanda Hadid, 58, shared a tribute on Instagram: ‘Rest In Peace beautiful angel, it was an honor to know you,’ adding, ‘thank you for decades of inspiration.’ 

Actress Elle Fanning, 24, posted a beautiful photo of the star writing: ‘Forever icon’ while Gabrielle Union, 49, shared a snap of Olivia from Grease. 

Fellow Australian star Rebel Wilson, 42, wrote ‘You were a true icon and I absolutely adored you!’ 

Comedian Rosie O’Donnell, 60, took to Instagram and TikTok with a video expressing her sadness at the news.

‘Oh boy, just heard about Olivia Newton-John. What a great woman she was. She fought long and hard. She had cancer a while.’

‘I loved her, I almost bought her house in Florida. It didn’t go through but… she was amazing, and I lover her. It’s very sad. Rest in Peace, beautiful woman.’

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the Oscars, posted a 1978 photo of Newton-John and Travolta.

‘Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta at the 50th Academy Awards (April 3, 1978). A few months later, they took the world by storm as Sandy and Danny in ‘Grease’ – which went on to become the highest grossing film of 1978, proving that Grease is (and forever will be) the word.’

True icon: Fellow Australian star Rebel Wilson, 42, wrote ‘You were a true icon and I absolutely adored you!’ 

Inspiration: Yolanda Hadid, 58, shared a tribute on Instagram: ‘Rest In Peace beautiful angel, it was an honor to know you,’ adding, ‘thank you for decades of inspiration’

The star has asked fans to donate to her charity instead of buying flowers in her memory before she died – as her moving photo – the last picture taken of her outside of Instagram was revealed. 

The picture shows her surrounded by sunflowers with a beaming smile. 

Newton-John, who shot to international stardom thanks to her role as Sandy in the 1978 movie Grease, died on Monday morning surrounded by family at her home in southern California after a long battle with breast cancer.

Her husband revealed the actress’ final request was for donations to be made to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, ‘in lieu of flowers’. 

The foundation funds research into plant-based medicine and holistic treatments for cancer. 

Meanwhile, Newton-John’s Instagram was mostly made up of flashback posts from throughout her career – but on April 18, the star shared a rare, candid photo of herself – believed to be her last. It shows her standing in her garden smiling from ear to ear.

‘Wishing everyone a Happy Easter on this beautiful Spring day,’ she captioned the photo.

In a final video posted just before Christmas, Olivia thanked her fans for their support over the years.

‘I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish all a primarily healthy, happy, peaceful Christmas,’ she said.

Strong: In her final video post, shared just before Christmas Newton-John wished fans a ‘happy, peaceful’ Christmas after a tough 2021

Paying tribute: Fans left flowers and photos on Newton-John’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (above) after she died on  Monday morning

‘I know it’s been a very, very, very difficult time for everybody in the whole planet – so this is a time we can get together, celebrate each other and our families and whatever faith that you believe in we can express it with each other which is very important.

‘I want to thank you all for all of your support over the years and I wish you all the best and send you love and light.

Newton-John’s battle with breast cancer first began in 1992 when she was just 44 years old. She was very open about her diagnosis and treatment, which famously included the use of medical marijuana. 

Her cancer returned in 2013 and again in 2017.

Newton-John and Easterling met while on a ayahuasca retreat in Peru.

Olivia is survived by her 36-year-old daughter Chloe Lattanzi – who posted a loving tribute to her mother on Instagram three days ago, saying: ‘I worship this woman. My mother. My best friend.’ 

The actress famously beat breast cancer twice but was diagnosed again in 2017. She spent the last few years at home, campaigning for animal rights and raising money for her charity.

In a haunting interview with The Guardian in 2020, she said of the disease: ‘It’s been a part of my life for so long.

‘I felt something was wrong. It’s concerning when it comes back, but I thought ‘I’ll get through it again’.

Tragic: Her husband John announced her passing with this beautiful picture of the star on Instagram 

Words: This caption was posted alongside the picture, annoucing the news that Olivia had passed away 

In other interviews, when asked how she battled the disease so bravely, she said: ‘I’ve had and am having an amazing life so I have no complaints. I really don’t.

‘Everyone goes through something. We all have something we need to go through in life. This has been my challenge.’ 

Born in England to an MI5 agent father, Newton-John and her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, when she was six. She returned to the UK as a teenager to pursue a singing career and starred in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974.

Her big break in Grease came four years later. She famously resisted the part, at first turning down producer Allan Carr because she thought she was too old for the role.

He won her over, and adapted the script to make the character an Australian ex-pat to accommodate her accent. When the movie was released, it was an international hit and she became a global sex symbol.

Riding a wave of success from Grease, she hammed up her newfound sex symbol status with Physical, her most successful album and single released in 1981.

It was dedicated to her first husband, Matt Lattanzi, to whom she was married between 1984 until 1995. 

 

Special: Bindi Irwin also shared a photo of herself holding the iconic actress’ hand during a charity event and wrote: ‘One of the kindest and most wonderful souls the world has ever known’

Sad news: Comedian Rosie O’Donnell, 60, took to Instagram and TikTok with a video expressing her sadness at the news

Special: Actress Goldie Hawn, 76, shared an iconic video of herself on stage with Olivia, Meryl Streep, Bette Midler, and Cher as they performed What A Wonderful World during an all-star charity concert in 1990 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles

Her light: ‘Olivia’s light will continue to shine and will never flicker. Never. Rest sweetheart. Rest peacefully, you are Love,’ she wrote in her caption underneath

Homage: Her daughter Kate Hudson, 43, also paid homage to the legendary star, sharing a video of herself singing Hopelessly Devoted To You, first crooned by Newton-John’s character, Sandy Olsson, in Grease (1978)

After Grease, Newton-John’s acting career faltered. She appeared alongside Lattanzi in the movie Xanadu in 1980, but it failed to impress in the box office.

She took three years off work following the birth of her daughter in 1986, then was struck with her first cancer diagnosis in 1992 when she was 44.

After her first diagnosis, she devoted her career largely to charity and humanitarian work.

She was notoriously open about taking drugs, particularly for healing purposes, and met her second husband on an ayahuasca retreat in Peru. They returned to the country to get married in 2008.

The Australian High Commission to the UK posted a photo of Newton-John by the Sydney Harbor bridge.

‘We are terribly saddened by the passing of Dame Olivia Newton-John AC DBE,’ they tweeted.

‘British born and Australian raised, Dame Olivia inspired us in song and brought us together as one. We remember her with our British friends, and send our deepest condolences to her loved ones.’

Let’s get physical: Newton-John promoting her 1980 album. It was dedicated to her first husband Matt Lattanzi, right. The pair were married from 1984 until 1995