‘I have much to live for’: Olivia Newton-John discusses battling cancer for third time
The 71-year-old former singer-actress says she’s happy, lucky and grateful, and she is determined to beat the odds.
Olivia Newton-John has died at age 73. (Photo: AFP / Getty Images North America / Frazer Harrison)
Olivia Newton-John is determined to win her latest fight with cancer. The 71-year-old former singer and actress was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, on the same day as her father’s death. The cancer spread to her back in 2013 and later went into remission. However, two years ago, the cancer returned for the third time.
Newton-John spoke of her fight with the disease with This Morning co-host, Gayle King, on Sunday (Sep 20).
She says the Stage 4 cancer brings about a “crying kind of pain.” However, she’s determined to beat the odds and live longer than the statistics.
She said: “I know what the statistics are, but I put them away. I’m going to live longer than that. I’ve made that decision.”
Newton-John has retired from performing and now lives on a ranch in California with husband John Easterling. She says she tries not to think about death and instead prefers to meditate.
She said: “I’m happy. I’m lucky. I’m grateful. I have much to live for, and I intend to keep doing it.”
During the interview, Newton-John also put on the iconic leather pants she wore when she played Sandy in the 1978 film, Grease. It will be one of the items she auctions off to benefit the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre, which she started.
