Olivia Newton-John’s family offered state funeral after Australian icon loses battle with cancer

Australian MP Daniel Andrews confirmed the news on Tuesday

Olivia Newton-John's family will be offered a state funeral in Australia to celebrate her acting achievements and commitment to cancer research. The Grease star died surrounded by her family at her home in Southern California on Monday after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 73-years-old. Announcing the news in a statement on social media, her husband John Easterling said his late wife had been a "symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years". https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg5K8e4PgDS/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=9127703e-a35b-42a2-a80a-a4ddf594f506 On Tuesday, Australia's Premiere of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, confirmed he will contact the actor's family this week to offer the service. "As for celebrating her life, her music and film and all the other amazing contributions that she made, we would, of course, want to speak to the family and be as respectful as we can," he said. https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1556949260641669125 The night Newton-John died, landmarks across Melbourne lit up in pink to remember the actor and her contributions to cancer awareness, research and treatment. The actor was born in Cambridge before moving to Melbourne with her family at the age of five. Instead of flowers, Newton-John had requested for donations to be made to her charity, the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, in her memory. [caption id="attachment_353053" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Olivia Newton john at the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Walk and Research Run in Melbourne in October 2019. The event helped fund cancer research and provide access to world-leading wellness and support care programmes for patients within the ONJ Centre. (Image: Getty)[/caption]

The actor beat breast cancer twice but was diagnosed again in 2017. She spent years urging the Australian government to approve the use of medicinal cannabis for cancer patients, and spent her last few years at home campaigning for animal rights and raising money for her charity online.

Newton-John is survived by her 36-year-old daughter, Chloe Lattanzi.

Related links:

• Olivia Newton-John's tender picture with husband was last post before she died
• John Travolta pays heartfelt tribute to Grease co-star Olivia Newton John
• Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta revisited Grease characters in 'fantastic' final outing