Olivia Newton-John has denied recent reports in US media that she had just “weeks” to live.
Appearing in a short video posted on social media, the Australian music and screen icon wished fans a happy new year, and said reports of her imminent death were off the mark. “I just want to say that the rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated, to quote a very famous quote,” she said.
“I’m doing great and I want to wish all of you the happiest, healthiest 2019 that’s possible and thank you all for your wonderful support for me and for my Olivia Newton-John cancer wellness centre in Melbourne, Australia.”
It came after US tabloid site Radar Online had claimed the 70-year-old was “clinging on to life” amid her battle with cancer. The site said Newton-John had been hoping she’d live long enough to see daughter Chloe Lattanzi wed fiance James Driskill in 2019.
Quoting unnamed sources, the report said Newton-John’s “bodily functions appear to be shutting down”, and quoted a “longevity expert” who said she was “almost certainly is going to die!”. The reports in the US were picked up by a number of Australian media outlets, sparking an outpouring of grief among local fans. – The Guardian