She attended University High school in Melbourne, Australia but dropped out after a favourite teacher commented that she should follow her dream of being a singer since she was so much more interested in that goal than staying in high school.
Sister of Rona Newton-John.
Underwent surgery for breast cancer. [1992]
Grandaughter of Nobel prize winning physicist 'Max Born'.
She grew up in both England and Australia. In 1954 (at age 5), she moved to Australia but returned to live in England 10 years later until she was 27.
In 1975, she moved to the USA where she had already become well-established as a Pop and Country singer.
Her winning of a talent contest in Australia led her back to England and on her path as a successful singer, performer and actress.
Best known as a singer, she has over 25 Top 40 singles, more than half of which went Top 10, including five #1 hits.
Well known songs include "Let Me Be There", "I Honestly Love You", "Have You Never Been Mellow", "Please Mr. Please", "Summer Nights", "You're The One That I Want", "Hopelessly Devoted To You", "Magic", "Xanadu", "Physical", "A Little More Love", and "Twist of Fate."
Her biggest hit was "Physical" which sold over 2 million copies and spent 10 consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 (beginning 21 November 1981).
In 1988 she visited Australia to make a television special titled, 'Olivia Down Under' to coincide with the Bicentennial. She and Cliff Richard performed and Prince Charles and Princess Diana were also present.
Received a special mention in "The Goodies" episode: 'Saturday Night Grease'.
Chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. [1998]
Lives with Gaffer (head of the electrical dept.) Patrick McDermott. [1996-present]
While recording her first hit "If Not For You," Olivia's dog was in the studio with her and at one point knocked over a microphone stand. The noise is still evident in the song today (during the instrumental bridge near the end of the song).
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