Olivia Newton-John's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Olivia Newton-John.
Dame Olivia Newton-John was a celebrated British-Australian singer and actress. A global icon, she sold over 100 million records, establishing herself as one of the best-selling music artists of all time and the highest-selling female Australian recording artist. Her career spanned multiple decades, marked by both musical success and memorable performances in film.
1964: Acting Talent Recognition
In 1964, Olivia Newton-John's acting talent was first recognised portraying Lady Mary Lasenby, and she became the Young Sun's Drama Award best schoolgirl actress runner-up.
1965: Winning the Talent Contest on Sing, Sing, Sing
In 1965, Olivia Newton-John won a talent contest on the television program Sing, Sing, Sing.
1974: Billboard 200 No. 1 Album
In 1974, Olivia Newton-John had a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200: If You Love Me, Let Me Know.
1974: Country Music Association Award
In 1974, Olivia Newton-John was named the Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year, causing controversy among country music purists.
1975: Billboard 200 No. 1 Album
In 1975, Olivia Newton-John had a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200: Have You Never Been Mellow.
1978: Grease Becomes a Box Office Hit
In 1978, Grease became a major box-office hit with its soundtrack spending 12 weeks at No. 1. It produced three top 5 singles for Newton-John, including "You're the One That I Want" and "Hopelessly Devoted to You." She was the second woman to have two singles simultaneously in the Billboard top 5.
1979: Golden Globe Nomination and Academy Awards Performance
In 1979, Olivia Newton-John received a People's Choice Award for Favourite Film Actress and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Grease. She also performed the Oscar-nominated "Hopelessly Devoted to You" at the Academy Awards.
1979: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
In 1979, Olivia Newton-John was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
1994: Released Gaia: One Woman's Journey
In 1994, Olivia Newton-John released Gaia: One Woman's Journey, an album chronicling her battle with breast cancer. It was the first album on which she wrote all the music and lyrics herself.
1999: ARIA Award for Highest Selling Australian CD
In 1999, Highlights from The Main Event won an ARIA Award for Highest Selling Australian CD.
1999: Daytime Emmy Award
In 1999, Newton-John won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song for "Love Is a Gift" after it was featured on "As the World Turns".
2002: Induction into Australia's ARIA Hall of Fame
In 2002, Newton-John was inducted into Australia's ARIA Hall of Fame.
2006: Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia
In 2006, Olivia Newton-John was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia.
2015: Guest Judge on RuPaul's Drag Race and Dance Club Songs Chart
In 2015, Newton-John was a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race and scored her first number-one single on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart with "You Have to Believe".
2015: Induction into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame
In 2015, Newton-John was inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame.
June 2019: Companion of the Order of Australia
In June 2019, Newton-John was bestowed Australia's highest honor, the Companion of the Order of Australia.
December 2019: Title of Dame
In December 2019, Olivia Newton-John was given the title of Dame and expressed pride in her British ancestry.
2020: Guinness World Record Shortest Gap Disrupted
In 2020, Taylor Swift surpassed Olivia Newton-John's Guinness World Record for the shortest gap between new Number 1 albums.
2022: Tributes and Commemorations
In 2022, following Olivia Newton-John's death, Pink staged a commemorative cover during the American Music Awards, and a special tribute featuring performances by Natalie Imbruglia, Peking Duk, and Tones and I occurred at the ARIA Music Awards to honor her legacy.
