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 (1948-2022) was a highly successful British-Australian singer and actress. Renowned for her iconic role in the film "Grease" and numerous hit songs like "Physical," she sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time and the highest-selling female Australian recording artist. Her career spanned decades and included accolades such as multiple Grammy Awards and American Music Awards. She was also a dedicated activist for cancer awareness, having battled the disease for many years.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1973: Release and success of "Let Me Be There"

In 1973, Olivia Newton-John released "Let Me Be There", which reached the American top 10 and earned her a Grammy for Best Country Female.

1974: Number-one album: If You Love Me, Let Me Know

In 1974, Olivia Newton-John had a number-one album on the Billboard 200 with If You Love Me, Let Me Know.

1974: "I Honestly Love You" Grammy win

In 1974, Olivia Newton-John won a Grammy for "I Honestly Love You".

1974: Success of "I Honestly Love You" and British Country Music Association Award

In 1974, Olivia Newton-John's album, If You Love Me, Let Me Know, reached No. 1 and she released single "I Honestly Love You" which became her signature song and earned her two more Grammys. She also received the British Country Music Association Award for "Female Vocalist of the Year".

1974: Country Music Association Award Controversy

In 1974, Olivia Newton-John's success in country music sparked debate, with purists questioning a foreigner singing country music being classed with Nashville artists. She won the Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year award.

1975: Number-one album: Have You Never Been Mellow

In 1975, Olivia Newton-John had a number-one album on the Billboard 200 with Have You Never Been Mellow.

1977: Linda Ronstadt's Billboard success

In 1977, Linda Ronstadt became the first woman to have two singles in the Billboard top 5 simultaneously before Newton-John matched this achievement the following year.

1978: Grease's success

In 1978, Grease became the biggest box-office hit. The soundtrack album spent 12 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 and yielded three Top 5 singles for Newton-John: "You're the One That I Want" with John Travolta, "Hopelessly Devoted to You", and "Summer Nights" with John Travolta and the film's cast. Newton-John became the second woman to have two singles in the Billboard top 5 simultaneously.

1979: 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) in the New Year Honours for services to charity, cancer research, and entertainment.

1979: People's Choice Award and Golden Globe Nomination

In 1979, Olivia Newton-John's performance in Grease earned her a People's Choice Award for Favourite Film Actress. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Actress in a Musical and performed "Hopelessly Devoted to You" at the Academy Awards.

January 1983: Olivia in Concert television special

In January 1983, Olivia Newton-John's Olivia in Concert television special premiered on HBO. The special was subsequently released to video, earning her another Grammy nomination.

1993: Lawsuit dismissal regarding Koala Blue

In 1993, a judge dismissed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Olivia Newton-John and Pat Farrar related to Koala Blue franchise holders alleging breach of contract and unfair competition.

2006: Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia

In 2006, Olivia Newton-John was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia.

2007: "Conditional settlement" with Universal Music Group

In 2007, it was announced that Olivia Newton-John and Universal Music Group (UMG) had reached a "conditional settlement" regarding the lawsuit over unpaid royalties from the Grease soundtrack.

December 2019: Becoming a Dame

In December 2019, Olivia Newton-John expressed gratitude for being recognized by the United Kingdom upon receiving the title of Dame.

2020: Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

In 2020, Olivia Newton-John was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the New Year Honours for services to charity, cancer research, and entertainment.

2020: Guinness World Record

Until 2020, Olivia Newton-John held the Guinness World Record for the shortest gap by a female between new Number 1 albums (If You Love Me, Let Me Know > Have You Never Been Mellow) on the US Billboard 200 album charts, a record of 154 days, until Taylor Swift broke this record with 140 days.

2022: Tributes and Commemorations

In 2022, following Olivia Newton-John's death, Pink performed a commemorative cover at the American Music Awards, and a tribute at the ARIA Music Awards featured performances by Natalie Imbruglia, Peking Duk, and Tones and I.