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Olivia Newton-John's grieving husband John Easterling pays emotional tribute to late wife at gala: 'She was the most courageous and compassionate woman'

It's now been more than five months since Olivia Newton-John passed away at the age of 73 after being diagnosed with cancer three times.

And on Saturday night, John Easterling called his late wife 'the most courageous and compassionate woman' he had ever met during an emotional tribute to the singer, actress and singer and activist at the 20th anniversary G'Day USA Arts Gala in Los Angeles, according to The Mirror.

The event, which was also attended by Newton-John's daughter Chloe Lattanzi,  included a musical tribute featuring a medley of the Grease and Xanadu star's biggest hits, performed by Aussie musician Delta Goodrem, according to Variety.

It was during that tribute that Easterling, 70, opened up and shared about the love story he and Newton-John shared in their lifetimes.

'Olivia and I unexpectedly, madly, deeply, forever fell in love in the Amazon rainforest,' he revealed to the riveted crowd.

While reflecting on her life and their relationship during the tribute, Easterling revealed that his late wife gave her time, name and effort to cancer research centers in both Australia and the United States.

'There's an old adage that like attracts like, and Olivia knew that her voice and her huge profile of talents were a gift,' the Jupiter, Florida native said, before adding, 'Her legacy continues as a joyful, healing spirit who is continuously focused on moving things, in her words, "into the love and the light."'

The grieving businessman would also describe her as having 'a calming capacity to genuinely care about other people.'

Olivia Newton-John's grieving husband John Easterling pays emotional tribute to late wife at gala | Daily Mail Online

 

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Olivia Newton-John : l'hommage poignant de son mari six mois après sa mort 

 John Easterling a évoqué sa défunte épouse Olivia Newton-John lors d'un discours au G'Day US Gala à Los Angeles ce week-end. Le veuf de l'actrice, qui est décédée à 73 ans en août dernier des suites d'un cancer, a effectivement confié au public qu'il avait adoré sa vie avec la comédienne et chérira toujours les moments "magiques" qu'ils ont passé ensemble.

"Nous partagions un amour et un bonheur si grand que je n'aurais cru cela possible" a-t-il déclaré. "Olivia et moi sommes tombés follement amoureux dans la forêt amazonienne. Ces 15 dernières années, j'ai été bénie de partager la profondeur et la passion de son être."

John, qui est le fondateur et président de l'Amazon Herb Company, a ajouté : "Chaque jour avec Olivia était un peu magique. Chaque jour avec Olivia était surnaturel. C'était la femme la plus courageuse et gentille que j'ai jamais connue, elle se souciait vraiment des gens."

John a été mariée à Olivia de 2008 jusqu'à sa mort en 2022.

 

Delta Goodrem impresses A-listers with her tribute to Olivia Newton-John

From first meeting Olivia Newton-John in New York when she was just seven years old, to portraying the Grease star in a biopic, it's fair to say that ONJ has made a lasting impact on Delta Goodrem.

And now, almost six months on from the passing of Olivia, aged 73, Delta has been able to pay tribute to her self-confessed hero the best way she knows how - by singing.

Last night at the annual G'Day USA Gala in Los Angeles, hosted by the American Australian Association, Delta took to the stage for a special tribute to her idol.

The awards night celebrates Australians who are prominent in the U.S. entertainment industry, and works to highlight figures from film, television, music and pop culture who have enhanced Hollywood-Australia relations.

A melody of Olivia Newton-John's greatest hits was performed by Delta Goodrem, with Olivia's husband, John Easterling, and daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, on hand for the musical tribute.

Sam Worthington, Miranda Kerr and Paul Hogan were other notable Australian celebrities at the event, whilst American pop-star Katy Perry also attended and posted a clip of Delta's performance to her Instagram stories.

Hogan also paid tribute to ONJ, saying that "every day with Olivia was supernatural".

Speaking about ONJ following her death August 2022, Delta told Sunrise about the special first moment that the two songstresses met.

"All of a sudden Sandy from Grease walks in the door… the world stopped and I said, 'Sandy's there mum. It's Sandy!'," Goodrem recalled on Sunrise.

Olivia heard the accent and struck up a conversation, even telling Delta she hoped to see her tomorrow.

"I was looking for her always," Delta said of the moment, though she couldn't have known how close they'd become.