Olivia Newton-John's Widower John Easterling Says 'She Was Very Alive' During Her Last Days

John Easterling recently disclosed that his late wife celebrated award-winning singer Olivia Newton-John was "free of pain" when she passed. The "Grease" actress died on August 3, 2022, at 73, after her long-term struggle with cancer.

Newton-John had cancer three times; however, the last case progressed too quickly, leaving little to be done. The actress first revealed her cancer diagnosis to the public in 1992; however, she recovered and became an advocate for cancer-related research.

By 2017 Newton-John disclosed that the illness had returned and spread to her spine. It came back in 2013, but she decided not to share the news with the public. 

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Speaking about his late wife, Newton-John, Easterling revealed that during her last days, she was "free of pain." He joined the Daily Telegraph in Australia for an interview and disclosed that although her reoccurring illness came with many difficulties, at the end of her life, she experienced "peace."

The American businessman said, per Daily Mail, "She was very clear and very alive and very conscious and not in pain. So there was a quality of life there at that time that I think is so critical."

Easterling also talked about Newton-John's "uncommon ability to care" for people. According to him, she would have most likely been surprised about the massive outpouring of grief upon her death and brushed it off. "All the accolades... she would kind of brush that off," he said. "She was just busy focusing on living her life being a joyful spirit."

In an emotional tribute the businessman made last week, Easterling called his wife the "the most courageous and compassionate woman" he had ever known. According to The Mirror, he reflected on how he met his wife and "unexpectedly, madly, deeply, forever fell in love in the Amazon rainforest."

Easterling continued, "For the past 15 years, I've been blessed to share the depth and the passion of her being,' he continued. 'Every day with Olivia was a bit of magic. Every day with Olivia was supernatural."

He spoke at the G'Day USA Arts Gala's 20th anniversary in Los Angeles last week. Easterling's daughter, Lattanzi, was also part of the festivities, which featured Newton-John's greatest hits as a musical tribute. Australian artist Delta Goodrem performed the number.

Still talking about their relationship, Easterling revealed that his wife dedicated her time, name, and resources to cancer research centers located in the US and Australia.

"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 businessman said. "Her legacy continues as a joyful, healing spirit who is continuously focused on moving things, in her words, 'into the love and the light."

Newton-John and Easterling met each other in the mid-90s, a few years after she recovered from her first cancer diagnosis. By June 2008, they were married in an Incan spiritual ceremony held in Peru and, nine days later, tied the knot legally on Jupiter Island, Florida.

Newton-John first informed the public of her breast cancer diagnosis in 1992 and was one of the few celebrities to be so open about their health condition at the time. The actress eventually recovered from the illness and became an advocate for breast cancer research and other health issues.

Almost three decades after her recovery, Newton-John revealed that her breast cancer had returned. In 2017 she said the disease had come back four years prior; however, she opted to keep the news away from the public. This time, Newton-John disclosed that the cancer had metastasized and spread to her bones. It had progressed to Stage IV.

According to Rolling Stone, a public state memorial in Newton-John's honor has been announced in Australia. The event will take place at Hamer Hall Arts Centre Melbourne and have famous acts like Delta Goodrem.