Olivia Newton-John
Family accepts offer of state funeral
Olivia Newton-John and Tottie Goldsmith at an event in Beverly Hills in late January 2020.
© DFree/Shutterstock.com
Singer and actress Olivia Newton-John gets a state funeral. Her survivors have agreed to the offer.
The family of British-Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John (1948-2022) wants to accept the offer of a state funeral. This was confirmed by Newton-John’s niece, Tottie Goldsmith (59), on Tuesday evening on the news program “A Current Affair”.
“We will do it. Not only on behalf of our family but also on behalf of Australia who loved them so much. I think our country needs it so we will embrace it,” Goldsmith said.
Pink lights lit up the night
On Tuesday night, landmarks across Australia were lit up pink to commemorate the life of the star entertainer, whose death in California by her husband early Tuesday was announced via the official Facebook account. The post read: “Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully this morning at her Southern California ranch surrounded by family and friends.”
The state government declined to confirm details after Victoria’s Prime Minister Daniel Andrews, 50, said Tuesday it would discuss the possibility of a state funeral with the entertainer’s family.
“When it comes to celebrating her life, her music, her film and all the other amazing things she has accomplished, of course we want to speak to the family and be as respectful as possible,” said the Prime Minister. “She was an absolutely exceptional talent, a person of such grace, energy and vitality,” he enthused.