Yesterday newspapers and websites across the world reported that Olivia Newton-John is losing her battle with cancer and ‘has weeks to live’, however, both her niece and those in her team have shut down the claims, saying the 70-year-old star is “feeling better.”
Newton-John’s American representative Michael Caprio told news.com.au that reports of her health deteriorating were “hilarious” and another Australian source said she is “perfectly well and had enjoyed the Christmas and New Year period.”
Furthermore, the Grease actress’ social media manager Randy Slovacek told The Herald Sun, “she’s feeling better. People just seem to want to believe some dramatic turn.”
Newton-John later gave her niece, Tottie Goldsmith, permission to speak about her health and confirm the rumours aren’t true. “You can rest assured she is going nowhere and in really good health. A sick rumour,” Goldsmith told the Seven Network, before posting a photo of herself with her aunt.
“Just giving you the heads up that Livvy is in good health, so let’s leave that distressing rumour where it belongs,” the caption reads.
The statements come after various websites said that the English-Australian singer, songwriter, actress and activist is ‘clinging to life,’ prompting upset from millions of fans worldwide.
US site RadarOnline reported that Newton-John had ‘weeks to live’ and was hoping she could last to see her daughter Chloe Lattanzi get married this year. It’s believed the cover of the National Enquirer, which showed a picture of Newton-John alongside the headline “THE END,” and, “Losing third fight with cancer; going home to die on her ranch,” prompted the further speculation.
Newton-John last spoke publicly about her battle with cancer in September 2018 telling Channel 7’s Sunday Night she was “doing really well.”
“I’m still treating it, and I’m treating it naturally and doing really well,” she said, revealing that she is turning to a mixture of radiation therapy and holistic medicines.
“In California, it’s legal to grow a certain amount of plants for your own medicinal purposes. So he [Easterling] makes me tinctures. It’s hard to say, they help with pain.
I’m very lucky that I live in a state where it’s legal and that I have a husband that is a plant-medicine man,” she noted.
Olivia was first diagnosed with cancer in 1992 when she found a lump in her right breast. At the time, she had a modified radical mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery.
In 2013, the disease returned – this time, it had spread to her shoulder – and Olivia overcame it for a second time. In 2017, the singer revealed she was battling her third bout of cancer which forced her to cancel a U.S. and Canadian tour.
Looking back at her tremendous career, Olivia told Sunday Night, “you know, there are other people out there doing much, much worse than me. And, um, I’m a very privileged person, and I’m very aware of that. I live in this beautiful place. I have a wonderful husband. I have all the animals that I adore. I have an incredible career. I have nothing, really, to complain about.”
