Olivia gets inside a song - Télé Star

Born in 1948 into a very wealthy academic family, she moved to Melbourne where her father, a German professor, was promoted. She was then born into a family with a strong musical talent and a gift for acting. She performed from the age of 12 in a Melbourne theater and at 14 formed her own band with three friends.

In 1965, she released her first album of songs, including Til You Say You'll Be Mine. The record was far from a hit, but Olivia was now known in the music world. A series of tours and performances followed, notably in England where, for a time, she collaborated with Cliff Richard. Her country-style ballads charmed London where she soon flirted with the top of the charts.

In the early 1970s, America, in turn, was captivated. And Let Me Be There earned her her first Grammy in 1973 (the equivalent of our Victoires de la Musique awards). I was on top of the world, she recalls, then there was 'Grease' and 'Xanadu,' and suddenly I also became a movie star.

Her personal life experienced the same happiness, in 1980, on the set of Xanadu, she met Matt Lattanzi, a dancer eleven years her junior, whom she married three years later. From this marital bliss came a little girl, Chloe, in 1986. Olivia then put her career on hold to dedicate herself to the joys of motherhood.

Alas, fate struck, and she had to face breast cancer. Always incredibly strong, she managed to overcome the disease.

Aware of her good fortune but also of the role she can play for other women, she has since given numerous talks on cancer. I want women to know that it's possible to survive it; I'm living proof. And they need to realize the importance of early diagnosis.

For a few years now, Olivia, divorced from her husband (but we've remained good friends), has lived in Malibu where she drives and picks up Chloe from school every day. It's my pleasure, she admits.

As if to further prove to herself that the illness is now behind her, Olivia produced an album last year, her first in a long time, and went on tour throughout Australia this winter.

By Veronique Maumusson