Olivia At Home - Story

Translation from Dutch:

Thanks To Matt, I Recovered From My Breast Cancer

Olivia Newton-John was convinced her entire life that a strong and healthy woman like her would be spared an early death. But three years ago, she was forced to face her own mortality when it turned out she had breast cancer. She began a difficult battle against the disease. A battle she won. After a year of therapy in Australia with her husband Matt, her life in Malibu now looks completely different. Olivia says herself: I am grateful for the hell I had to go through...

In a period when one success followed another, Olivia Newton-John's (46) life collapsed three years ago. Within two days she learned that her father had died and that she had breast cancer. That double setback could have destroyed her, but now she feels stronger than ever before. The disease that struck her was the latest in a series of setbacks Olivia had to deal with in a short period of time.

Tensions in both her personal life and her career are exhausting Olivia. She and her husband Matt Lattanzi, eleven years her junior, desperately wanted children, but her first two pregnancies ended in miscarriage. Fortunately, her third pregnancy went smoothly; she gave birth to a healthy daughter, Chloe. But when she lost her multi-million fortune shortly thereafter because her chain of sixty fashion stores went bankrupt, Olivia completely collapsed.

But instead of allowing herself a rest, she repressed her problems by throwing herself into her work. Months of worry and stress ravaged her health. An overwhelming fatigue overcame her. The diagnosis the doctors delivered exceeded her worst fears: She had breast cancer. When her last shred of energy vanished, not much was left of the woman who once danced effortlessly for hours on end in the movie Grease. She had used up all her reserves. To save her life, she would have to set different priorities.

And that is what Olivia did. She didn't give a moment to doubt her recovery. She didn't want to die. She wanted to move on with her life for herself, her husband, and her little daughter. Together with Matt, she began a battle against cancer that would last two long years.

I looked death in the eye, Olivia recounts. I was scared, terrified. Slowly, I deteriorated more and more. I underwent a heavy course of chemotherapy, but without result. The thought that cancer cells were destroying my body made me nauseous. Eventually, the doctors decided to operate on me. A breast-conserving operation was no longer an option. The cancer had already spread too far. Part of my right breast had to be removed. It is terrible to have to lose part of your breast. But on the other hand, I was also grateful that my entire breast didn't have to be removed. When the wound had healed, my breast was filled with silicone. Now, a few scars are the only proof that I had breast cancer.

Looking back, I can say that I am grateful that I had breast cancer. I know it sounds strange, but it has given my life new meaning. Fighting the disease gave me new energy.

In the months following the chemotherapy and before the surgery, Olivia decided to take a complete rest. Together with her husband and little daughter, she left her home in Malibu and moved into a new house in Australia. The country where she lived with her parents for a few years as a child. Far away from the pressure from show business and the accompanying publicity.

During the year she lived in Australia, she did not fight her illness alone. Her husband helped her wherever he could and was always there for her.

Matt and I overcame cancer together, Olivia says confidently. We realized that I had lived under immense pressure my entire life. According to my psychotherapist, years of stress were to blame for me getting cancer. I know that sounds a bit vague, Olivia laughs shyly, but the words of that psychotherapist and the support from Matt put me on the right track.

In Australia, I radically turned my life around. I always suppressed my anger, but I learned to express that anger in the moment. I also meditated three times a day. Slowly but surely, I felt more and more energy flowing through my body. I also realized that every day is a gift. And that you shouldn't fill your days with chasing success, but that you must enjoy the true things life offers, namely love from the people you love and nature.

Matt fully supported his wife's new direction in life. He bought a jeep and took long trips with her in beautiful Australia. He supported Olivia wherever he could. He went on a vegetarian diet with her and installed a water purification system so that she would not ingest any harmful substances.

In that same year, Olivia underwent breast surgery, which went to the doctors' full satisfaction. The peaceful environment and the love and attention of her husband had a positive influence on Olivia's health. And eventually, she was declared cured.

With her husband and her little daughter, she returned to her original home in Malibu. But she took what she had learned about her life during her stay in Australia with her. She now refuses to let herself be rushed by record executives and TV companies.

I only do what I enjoy now, says Olivia. For instance, I've started writing a children's book and I'm working on educational children's television programs. I enjoy my work. I haven't completely said goodbye to my singing career. But now I only write songs when I feel like it, and not because some record executive calls me up to push me.

In her home in Malibu, she is enjoying her life with her husband and daughter more than ever. She nonchalantly dismisses rumors that her marriage to Matt is somewhat shaky. Let them think what they want. I know better... I don't waste my energy on useless things anymore...

By Grietje Mollema

Photo captions: Together with her husband Matt, eleven years her junior, Olivia overcame her illness. And she learned one thing from it: never again will she let herself be rushed by record executives or film producers...
Nothing suggests that this home, simple by American showbiz standards, is the abode of a superstar like Olivia Newton-John...
Olivia loves a simple yet romantic decor. Only in a cozy home do I feel completely at ease, says the singer, who shares her home with her husband Matt, her daughter Chloe, and many pets.