ONE WOMAN'S JOURNEY THE UNOFFICIAL BLOG: FULL OF BEANS

Olivia Newton-John on living with disease

Daily Mirror
2 Nov 2019

MIXING IT UP... The star is living her life to the full
After healing there for three weeks I came out in a wheelchair.”

A year on and the difference in the star, best known for her role as Sandy in the hit 1978 movie Grease, is clear to see. Today she will be auctioning off her iconic black outfit to raise funds for the centre. And proving she still looks as good as she did 40 years ago – she can still fit into her old costume.

“I didn’t want to wear them for more than a few minutes as they’re old and fragile and are going to a new owner very soon,” she says laughing.

Her figure is as incredible, but how? “I’m not on any named diet,” she says. “I have everything in moderation. If I want to have a glass of wine I will.

If I want to have ice cream, I will. And I’m feeling really well.” And in fact she’s delighted to have put weight on. “I lost over 20lbs after I went into hospital and during the healing period,” she says. “Isn’t it wonderful when a woman can say, ‘I’ve put on weight and I feel good.’?”

Other items she is putting up for sale include the prom dress she wore to the Grease premiere, plus clothing from her tours that date to the 1970s.

She says: “There is a collection of items including my first Volkswagen car, first saddle, pictures I’ve painted, records, gold records and awards.”

Olivia and co-star John Travolta will be reunited in December when they are doing three Meet ‘N’ Grease Movie singalongs in Florida. Just without the trousers... “I’ll be wearing something more age-appropriate,” she laughs.

While she looks forward to the coming months, there has been sadness too.

The English-born singer lost her 78-year-old doctor brother Hugh earlier this year. In 2013 their other sibling Rona died from cancer.

“I’ve lost quite a few friends this year. I remember my mother telling me that as you get older, you lose people. She said that was the most difficult part of ageing.” Although the Grammy Awardwinner has had many special times too. Including when she met Abba at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974.

Of her film work, “Dancing with Gene Kelly in Xanadu was incredibly special. And of course to dance with him and John Travolta in Grease in one lifetime was pretty special.”

For all the fame, Olivia considers her family to be her greatest hit. She has a 33-year-old daughter Chloe, a singer and actress, from her marriage to actor Matt Lattanzi. “No question, children are your biggest achievement.”

The star is a country girl, she says. “We live in a pretty remote area, with chickens, miniature horses, a cat and a dog. I love the peace and the quiet.”

She also has a home in Florida and co-owns a healing retreat called Gaia in Australia. As well as raising money for her foundation, it is the benefits of cannabis – and campaigning for it – that keeps her going.

She says: “I’d like cannabis medicine to be available in many more countries. It’s helping me extraordinarily.” ■ Julien’s Auction takes place today. Olivia’s memoir Don’t Stop Believin’ (Simon & Schuster) is available now.

I would like cannabis medicine available in many more countries !

DANKE KAY !

'Grease' fans can own a piece of Hollywood history

Actress and singer Olivia Newton-John is selling outfits from the hit movie as well as hundreds of other items from her career.https://t.co/SYs8Jfhy1j https://t.co/nPdG4LYIIC
— Y News (@Y__News_) 2 novembre 2019