Net Worth Ranker
What Was Olivia Newton-John’s Net Worth?
At the time of her passing on August 8, 2022, Dame Olivia Newton-John AC DBE, the celebrated British actress, singer, author, and producer, had a net worth estimated at $60 million. This substantial Olivia Newton-John’s net worth reflects her multifaceted career and enduring success in the entertainment industry.
Sources of Olivia Newton-John’s Net Worth
Olivia Newton-John’s Net Worth was accumulated from a variety of sources throughout her extensive career. These sources include:
- Music Career: With estimated record sales of 120 million, Olivia Newton-John was one of the best-selling music artists in history. She released over 25 studio albums.
- Film Career: Her most iconic film role was Sandy Olsson in the 1978 musical “Grease,” which grossed $366.2 million at the box office. She also appeared in other films such as “Xanadu” (1979), “Sordid Lives” (2000), and “The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee” (2020).
- Television: Newton-John appeared in television shows like “Sordid Lives: The Series” (2008) and “Glee” (2010). She also produced the 2001 television film “The Wilde Girls” and the 2009 documentary “Big River Man.”
- Book Sales: She authored “Livwise Cookbook: Easy, Well-Balanced, and Delicious Recipes for a Healthy, Happy Life” (2011) and “Don’t Stop Believin'” (2018), contributing to her income through book sales.
- Real Estate: Newton-John had a portfolio of real estate investments, including properties in Malibu, Santa Ynez, California, and Australia.
Early Career and Breakthroughs
Olivia Newton-John was born on September 26, 1948, in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. When she was 6 years old, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia. At the age of 14, Olivia formed the band Sol Four, which performed at her brother-in-law’s coffee shop. This early exposure led to appearances on local TV and radio shows. She met Pat Carroll and John Farrar, who became her duet partner and producer, respectively, while appearing on “The Go!! Show.” Newton-John won a talent contest on “Sing, Sing, Sing,” receiving the prize of a trip to Great Britain, which she took a year later. Her film debut was in 1965’s “Funny Things Happen Down Under,” and in 1966, she recorded her first single, “Till You Say You’ll Be Mine.” She later formed the duo Pat and Olivia with Pat Carroll.
Musical Success and Album Sales
Olivia Newton-John’s debut solo album, “If Not for You,” was released on November 1, 1971, and achieved Platinum certification in Australia. Her third album, 1973’s “Let Me Be There,” earned her a Grammy and an Academy of Country Music award. In 1974, she represented the U.K. in the Eurovision Song Contest. Her 1974 single “I Honestly Love You” topped the charts in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. In 1981, she released the album “Physical,” which went 2× Platinum in the U.S. and 4× Platinum in Canada, with the title track reaching #1 in several countries. Her estimated record sales of 120 million records solidify her position as one of the best-selling music artists.
Film Career and “Grease”
Olivia Newton-John’s role as Sandy Olsson in the 1978 musical “Grease” was a pivotal moment in her career. The film grossed $366.2 million at the box office, becoming a massive success. It also produced three hit singles: “You’re the One That I Want,” “Summer Nights,” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” Following this success, Newton-John starred as Kira in 1979’s “Xanadu.” She also appeared in films like “Two of a Kind” (1983), “Sordid Lives” (2000), and “The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee” (2020), adding to her earnings and recognition in the film industry.
Television Appearances and Productions
In addition to her film career, Olivia Newton-John made several television appearances. She hosted “Saturday Night Live” in 1982 and appeared in two HBO specials: “Olivia in Concert” (1982) and “Olivia Down Under” (1988). She starred in television films such as “A Mom for Christmas” (1990) and “A Christmas Romance” (1994), and hosted the series “Timeless Tales from Hallmark” in 1990. She also produced the 2001 television film “The Wilde Girls” and the 2009 documentary “Big River Man.” In 2010, she played herself in two episodes of “Glee,” recreating her “Physical” video with Jane Lynch’s Sue Sylvester. These television roles and productions contributed to her overall Olivia Newton-John’s net worth and visibility.
Later Career Ventures and Collaborations
In 1994, Olivia Newton-John released the album “Gaia: One Woman’s Journey,” which chronicled her first battle with breast cancer. She wrote all the lyrics and music herself for this album. In 2000, she played Bitsy Mae Harling in the film “Sordid Lives,” reprising her role in the 2008 series. In 2012, she reunited with John Travolta to record the charity album “This Christmas,” benefiting the Jett Travolta Foundation and The Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre. In 2020, she co-starred in the film “The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee.” These later ventures, collaborations, and projects continued to add to her Olivia Newton-John’s net worth.
Real Estate Investments and Sales
Olivia Newton-John had a diverse portfolio of real estate investments. In 2005, she sold an oceanfront Malibu home to auto financing billionaire Don Hankey for an undisclosed amount, speculated to be worth over $80 million today. In 2015, she purchased a 12-acre horse ranch in Santa Ynez, California, for $4.69 million, listing it for sale in May 2019 for $5.4 million. She also listed her 187-acre country estate in Australia for $5.5 million in May 2019, which she had bought in the early 1980s and sold one month later for $4.6 million. In June 2024, her estate re-listed the Santa Ynez ranch for just under $9 million. The home sold in February 2025 for $7.95 million. These real estate transactions reflect her savvy investment choices and contributed to her Olivia Newton-John’s net worth.
Awards, Honors, and Philanthropy
Olivia Newton-John received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. She was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1981 and inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 2002. She was named a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1990. In 1974, she won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female for “Let Me Be There,” and in 1975, she won two Grammys for “I Honestly Love You” – Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female and Record of the Year. She also received a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Original Song for “This Is Our Moment” from “As the World Turns” in 1999, and ten American Music Awards. In 2006, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), and in 2019, she became a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). Newton-John’s philanthropic efforts included co-founding the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre at Austin Hospital in Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia. These accolades and philanthropic activities highlight her contributions and legacy, influencing her reputation and, indirectly, her Olivia Newton-John’s net worth.
Personal Life and Relationships
In 1968, Olivia Newton-John became engaged to Bruce Welch. She married Matt Lattanzi on December 15, 1984, and they had a daughter, Chloe Rose, in January 1986, before divorcing in 1995. She married John Easterling on June 21, 2008, in Peru, followed by a legal ceremony in Florida. These personal relationships and events shaped her life and, to some extent, influenced her career and financial decisions, contributing to the overall context of Olivia Newton-John’s net worth.
Cancer Diagnosis and Advocacy
Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and faced subsequent diagnoses in 2013 and 2017. She became an advocate for cancer research and wellness, co-founding the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre. In 2017, she revealed that she was using cannabis oil, grown by her husband John, to manage her pain. Her advocacy and openness about her cancer journey raised awareness and support, further cementing her legacy and indirectly influencing public perception of her Olivia Newton-John’s net worth.
