Olivia already has 10 children (her animals!)
Translation:
“I consider my animals my children,” says Olivia Newton-John, not bothered by the fact that this might sound a bit overblown and sentimental to people who don’t have pets.
“Aren’t animals just like children too?” she asks for support. “They can be sweet and affectionate, but also as mischievous as children. And you have to treat them like children; give them lots of attention and love, and give them a scolding every now and then.”
Olivia Newton-John knows what she’s talking about. At home on her ranch in Malibu, California, where she lives with Lee Kramer, the singer-actress has ten animals; two cats (Gypsy and Lily), four dogs (Great Danes Zargon and Gretchen, an Irish Setter Jackson and a crossbreed Domino) and four horses (Judge, Pipes, Alex and George).
All ten animals are pampered and spoiled by Olivia. She says: “To be honest, my horse Judge is kind of my favorite animal because I got him from Lee. But I never show it, because I don’t think that’s fair to my other animals. A very unique character And hey, they all have something special to me. They all have their own unique character with their own fun things.”
Olivia Newton-John always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. That never happened because she got into show business when she was fifteen and there was no time left to follow a demanding study. I have never regretted not becoming a veterinarian.”
“I’ve become a singer,” she says now. “I’ve earned so much money through singing that I can now run my own zoo, and I actually really enjoy that. Moreover, my popularity also allows me to do a lot for other animals.”
Olivia Newton-John then explains that she spends a lot of time and money on campaigns against animal abuse, for example. I’m a member of an association that opposes the abuse of animals in films. I’m also a member of Green Peace, the activist group against the killing of whales and seals. And I do my utmost for the so-called “Jacques Cousteau Fund” against water pollution, which is killing thousands of animals.
Because Olivia Newton-John loves her animals so much, it hurts her when she has to leave them alone for a while. “I always love going on tour,” she says, “but after a few days I always start missing home again, and my animals. Luckily, I know they’re in good hands; we have wonderful people working for us, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have been able to survive such a tour.”
Wherever Olivia Newton-John goes during a tour, she buys presents, souvenirs, for her animals. They are always as happy as children with them. You should see them when we come home after a month or so. They are absolutely overjoyed. For the first hour, they don’t leave our side for a minute, fearing that we’ll leave again. That’s so touching!”
Becoming a “real” mother, although Olivia considers her animals as children, the singer is now thinking hard about becoming a “real” mother. She says: “Now I’m thirty and it’s actually now or never for me. You know, I’ve been in show business for fifteen years now and I enjoy it, but a good private life is actually much more important. I don’t know exactly when yet, but it won’t be long before Lee and I get married and start a family.”
This doesn’t mean that Olivia Newton-John is putting an end to her career. “Oh no,” she says emphatically. “I’m just going to take it a lot easier. I often work so hard now that I don’t have any time to enjoy my family.” That’s what I want to change first and foremost.
Photo caption: When Olivia Newton-John is on tour outside of America, she always buys souvenirs for her four horses, two cats, and four dogs. "They're as happy as children with those gifts," says the singer-actress.