“[She] passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” a statement posted to her Facebook page read.
“We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Olivia Newton-John: A life in pictures
Many of Newton-John’s famous friends, including her Grease co-star John Travolta have taken to social media to pay tribute to the Australian singer and actress.
“My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better,” the actor wrote on Instagram.
“Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!”
Aussie singer and actress Delta Goodrem – who portrayed the iconic star in the 2018 biopic Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted to You – wrote on Twitter that the Grease star was like family to her.
“The whole world will feel this heartbreak today because the entire world felt Olivia’s unmatched light,” Goodrem wrote.
“A force for good. A force of nature. Strong and kind. my mentor, my friend, my inspiration, someone who always guided me… she was always there for me.”
“Family to me. I don’t have all the words I would like to say today but I hope everyone will join in celebrating our beloved Olivia, her heart, soul, talent, courage, grace… I love you forever.”
Another Aussie icon, Kylie Minogue, also shared how Newton-John had inspired her from a young age.
“Since I was ten years old. I have loved and looked up to Olivia Newton John,” Minogue wrote on Twitter.
Singer and actor Hugh Jackman said Newton-John was a dear friend who was “open hearted, generous and funny”.
“It’s no secret that Olivia was my first crush. I kissed her (poster) every night before bed,” Jackman wrote on Instagram.
Veteran singer and actress Barbra Streisand posted her own tribute following the news.
“Too young to leave this world. May she RIP,” Streisand wrote on Instagram.
Sir Rod Stewart said Newton-John was “the perfect lady”.
“Her spandex trousers in Grease were my inspiration for my ‘Da ya think I’m Sexy’ era,” he added.
Singer Richard Marx said he was devastated by the news of Newton-John’s death.
“My heart is broken. Rest now, sweet friend,” he tweeted. “You were as kind and loving a person as there’s ever been. I’ll miss you every day.”
Aussie actress Rebel Wilson shared some heartfelt words on Instagram Stories.
“You were a true icon and I absolutely adored you,” she wrote.
