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Dame Olivia Newton-John’s widower John Easterling delivers heartfelt tribute at gala, five months after ‘courageous’ star’s death-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro
‘Every day with Olivia was a bit of magic,’ he said.
John Easterling married Dame Olivia Newton-John in the 1990s (Picture: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic)
Dame Olivia Newton-John’s husband has delivered an emotional tribute for his late wife.
The British-Australian singer died in August at the age of 73, after first being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992.
Dame Olivia became an advocate for cancer research and funding for treatment and used her platform to raise awareness, after she experienced two recurrences of the disease in 2013 and 2017.
Following her death, widower John said in a heartfelt message that ‘our love for each other transcends our understanding,’ sharing on social media that ‘she was the most courageous woman I’ve ever known.’
John went on to praise the way Dame Olivia handled the ‘difficult times’, remembering her ‘spirit, humour, and [her] will power to move things into the light’.
Now, five months on from the Grease actress’ death, John has once again praised his late wife’s strength in an appearance at the 20th anniversary G’Day USA Arts Gala in Los Angeles.
He described her as the most ‘courageous’ person he had ever met (Picture: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
According to The Mirror, he hailed Dame Olivia ‘the most courageous and compassionate woman’ in a speech at the event which was also attended by Dame Olivia’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi.
The night included a musical tribute featuring a medley of the singer’s biggest hits, which was performed by Australian musician Delta Goodrem, according to Variety.
‘Olivia and I unexpectedly, madly, deeply, forever fell in love in the Amazon rainforest,’ John, 70, told the audience.
‘For the past 15 years, I’ve been blessed to share the depth and the passion of her being.
The Grease star is also survived by a daughter, Chloe Rose Lattanzi (Picture: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock)
‘Every day with Olivia was a bit of magic. Every day with Olivia was supernatural.’
‘There’s an old adage that like attracts like, and Olivia knew that her voice and her huge profile of talents were a gift,’ John continued, 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”.’
Grieving businessman John also reflected on Dame Olivia’s charity work, and how she gave her time to cancer research efforts in both Australian and the States.
He said she had a calming capacity to genuinely care about other people.’
Dame Olivia died in August last year, following lengthy battles with cancer (Picture: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock)
Dame Olivia married John – founder and president of the Amazon Herb Company – in the mid 1990s.
They first tied the knot in an Incan spiritual ceremony in Peru in June 2008, later holding a legal ceremony in Florida.
John’s appearance at the gala comes after he initially avoided public appearances in the wake of his wife’s death, due to being too grief-stricken.
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While her daughter promoted and attended Melbourne’s annual Walk for Wellness cancer fundraising event, and other family members travelled Down Under especially for the event, John did not.
And while Chloe herself did not walk, she said it was ‘beautiful’ to see so many people come out in support of the late film star.
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