Dolly Parton mourns loss of 'special friend’ Dame Olivia Newton-John

Tributes continue to pour in for the late 'Grease' star from the likes of Sir Elton John, Gwyneth Paltrow and Rebel Wilson

Flowers adorn Olivia Newton-John's Hollywood Walk of Fame star in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. Newton-John, the Grammy-winning superstar who reigned on pop, country, adult contemporary and dance charts with such hits as "Physical" and "You're the One That I Want" has died. She was 73. (AP Photo / Damian Dovarganes)Show less

Dolly Parton says she is so sad to have lost her “special friend” Dame Olivia Newton-John, after the legendary performer's recent death.

The US country icon said she was “so happy that our lives crossed paths” echoing sentiments from legions of other performers expressing their condolences.

Newton-John died “peacefully” at her ranch in southern California on Monday morning, "surrounded by family and friends", her widower confirmed on social media.

Dame Olivia Newton-John has died at the age of 73, her husband has confirmed. PA

At a VIP reception for the Property of Olivia Newton-John Auction Event at Juliens Auctions in 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. Getty / AFP

Newton-John and John Travolta in a scene from the film 'Grease'. Paramount / Getty

Newton-John passes the Olympic flame to Australian tennis player Pat Rafter in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge. AFP

Newton-John and the late actor Kelly Preston at the Children's Health Environmental Coalition on Capitol Hill in Washington. BM / BK

Newton-John was a long-time advocate for breast cancer awareness. AP

Newton-John and Travolta became life-long friends after starring in 'Grease' together in 1978. Paramount Pictures / Library of Congress

Newton John with British recording artist Cliff Richard for the 39th Annual Country Music Association Awards in New York, 2005. AP

Newton-John, a longtime resident of Australia whose sales topped 100 million albums, died Monday at her southern California ranch, John Easterling, her husband, wrote on Instagram and Facebook. AP

Travolta presented Newton-John with a Lifetime Achievement award at the Penfolds Icons gala dinner in 2006. AP

Newton-John performs onstage during the 58th Vina del Mar International Song Festival, in Vina del Mar, Chile in 2017. EPA

Newton-John and Travolta pose on the red carpet at the 40th anniversary celebration of the movie 'Grease' at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in Beverly Hills, California in 2018. AFP

Newton-John gained worldwide fame as high-school sweetheart Sandy in the hit musical movie 'Grease'. AFP

Newton-John's, whose career spanned more than five decades, devoted much of her time and celebrity to charities after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. AFP

Newton-John also starred in the cult classic 'Xandu'. AFP

Newton John performs at the 85th annual Hollywood Christmas parade on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California in 2016. AFP

Newton-John and Travolta in a scene from the film 'Two of a Kind' directed by John Herzteld and released in 1983. AFP

Newton-John at a Cancer Research Institute event at the Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, 2017. EPA

The 'Xandu' star received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at a special graduation ceremony at La Trobe University, Union Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 2018. EPA

Newton John and her husband, Australian entrepreneur John Easterling. EPA

Travolta considered Newton-John one of his closet friends. AP

Travolta and Newton-John in 1978 during the Deauville American Film Festival for the presentation of the film 'Grease' in Deauville, France. AFP

Newton-John at the Cannes Film Festival in 1994. AFP

Flowers placed at Newton-John's Hollywood Walk of Fame star in Los Angeles, California. AP

Newton-John performing at the Riviera in Las Vegas, Nevada, 1977. Las Vegas News Bureau / EPA

Newton-John beat out Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn for best country singer at the Country Music Awards in 1974. Las News Bureau / EPA

Newton-John died 'peacefully' at her ranch in Southern California on Monday morning, surrounded by family and friends. EPA

Sir Cliff Richard and Newton John at the Royal Variety Performance, London, UK. PA

After the news broke, famous names from the worlds of television, film and music took to social media to share memories and send condolences to her family.

“So sad to have lost my special friend Olivia Newton-John,” Parton wrote in a statement.

“So happy that our lives crossed paths. I know her voice is singing beautifully with the angels.

“With Love, Dolly.”

Newton-John beat out Parton for the Country Music Award's Female Vocalist of the Year in 1974 and had seven top-10 country hits, including Let Me Be There (1973) and I Honestly Love You (1974).

Sir Elton John, Gwyneth Paltrow and Rebel Wilson were among those paying tribute to the breast cancer survivor and awareness activist.

Actor turned Goop entrepreneur Paltrow wrote on Instagram: “Olivia Newton John, I hope you know what you meant to us.

“You were a huge inspiration in many ways. I think I believed We Are Magic because of you”, a reference to her hit song from the 1980 film Xanadu.

Rebel Wilson described Newton-John as “the most gorgeous woman inside and out” and “a true Aussie icon”.

The Bridesmaids actor it had been “beyond an honour” to play her daughter Chloe Lattanzi in A Few Best Men.

“Seeing you star in the huge Hollywood blockbuster GREASE with your natural accent was so instrumental to me as a little girl, helping me to believe that it was possible for an Aussie girl to star in huge international musicals," Wilson wrote, crediting her as an inspiration to concentrate not only performing but her health as well.

“You were so kind to me and it was such a blessing to know you Olivia.

“I’ll never forget us singing at the piano in our lunch break on set together — what a complete legend you are! I am so sad you are gone.”

Sir Elton John wrote on his Instagram: “The saddest of news to wake up to. Olivia was a beautiful and courageous woman, who I never heard complain about her illness.

“A beautiful voice and a warm and loving friend. I will miss her so much. Condolences to her family and loved ones.”

The Tiny Dancer singer referred to her as his “great friend”, a “perfect lady”, “gorgeous, with great poise and with a certain Aussie sophistication”.