John Easterling Was Olivia Newton-John’s Second Husband - Facts about Him

American businessman, environmentalist, CEO, and Chairman of Amazon Herb Company John Easterling was the second husband of actress Olivia Newton-John. They were together until her death on August 8, 2022.

The news of the death of the British-born Australian singer and actress hit social media when John Easterling took to Olivia Newton-John's account to release a statement.

The businessman was by his wife's side till the last minute as other family and friends also surrounded her. In his statement, he revealed that she died peacefully at her Southern Californian Ranch.

Olivia Newton-John and John Farrar at the 2018 G'Day USA Black Tie Gala on January 27, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

In his statement, Easterling shared a smiling picture of his late wife, and in his caption, he said:

"Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years, sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund."

While he asked for privacy during this challenging time, Easterling also requested that fans should send any donations in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation.

Three days before she passed away, the actress and singer posted a picture of herself and Easterling on her Instagram. In the photo, the couple sat side by side on the grass, and she captioned it "#flashbackfriday."

The couple who first met in the early 1990s did not start dating until the late 2000s. Despite all their years together, they also never had any children.

WHEN JOHN MET OLIVIA

Newton-John met Easterling, a rainforest conservationist, plant medicine researcher, and entrepreneur, through mutual friends during an environmental show where he displayed his botanicals.

At the time, he was starting his company, Amazon Herb Company, through which he imported herbs from the rainforest to develop different healing remedies.

John Easterling and Olivia Newton-John at the American Country Awards on December 10, 2013 | Source: Getty Images

In the following years, they kept bumping into each other at charity functions and other similar events, but they had no romantic interest in the other.

"The more I got to know her, I thought, oh, she's a really nice person, she really does care about people and animals and the rainforest," Easterling recalled to Australian Women's Health magazine.

While his wife had an active social media account, the businessman keeps a low profile, and when he shares on social media, he shares mostly about his work.

Olivia Newton-John at the 2018 G'Day Black Tie Gala on January 27, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

WHEN DID JOHN AND OLIVIA DECIDE TO MAKE THINGS OFFICIAL?

One year, as John Easterling was giving a talk in California, he stayed at the actress's guest house, and as he was supposed to leave in the morning, he got into a car accident.

The accident happened while he was going to the airport and fractured his lower spine, forcing him to stay resting at her place. Later on, she had a concert in Florida, where Easterling lived, and invited him.

Olivia Newton-John and John Easterling at the Myer Community Fund Garden Party on September 5, 2008 | Source: Getty Images

Ironically, Easterling knew little about her music and claims he had never seen "Grease" even after their meeting.

But at the concert, he recalled hearing her sing "Pearls on a Chain," which he describes as a healing song, and realizing that she was a healer.

Olivia Newton-John and John Easterling at the Emirates Melbourne Cup Day on November 3, 2009 | Source: Getty Images

"All I could think was that I wanted to introduce her to other healers who work in the Amazon." Easterling continued. "So, after the show, I asked if she wanted to come to Peru, and she said yes. I thought, 'Oh no, I'm taking her to Peru, I'd better watch Grease!"

While on that fateful trip, the duo fell in love and made things official. Later in 2007, they made their relationship public as they attended events together.

Olivia Newton-John and John Easterling at the Dreamball 2010 charity gala on September 23, 2010 | Source: Getty Images

THE COUPLE HAD 2 WEDDINGS

They first had an Incan spiritual wedding ceremony at the top of a mountain in Peru on June 21, 2008. Then, they returned to the U.S and made the wedding legal on a private beachfront ceremony on Florida's Jupiter Island on June 30.

The pair kept the nuptials a secret and then surprised their friends with the big news on a 4th of July celebration held at Newton-John's Malibu home.

Olivia Newton-John at the annual Wellness Walk and Research Run on September 16, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

The actress said she had dated a little bit and was not expecting to fall in love with Easterling. When talking about her husband in an interview, she said:

"He’s incredibly smart and compassionate. He says yes to everything; he says yes to life!"

HER BIGGEST SUPPORT

Easterling has been his wife's constant support as she dealt with some health issues in the past decade. She thrived with breast cancer as she doesn't use the word "survivor."

However, in 2017, the star received the bad news that her breast cancer had returned and metastasized in her spine.

"My cancer journey started in 1992, and I went through surgery and chemotherapy," she told People."I was lucky enough to have yoga and massage and homeopathy and meditation, and then I had a spell of years where I was okay. Then I have metastases now."

Olivia Newton-John and John Easterling at the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner on May 21, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

When asked if she was scared of the diagnosis, the actress said, "I don't go there. I'd be lying if I said I never go there. There are moments. I'm human ... But my husband is always there, and he's always there to support me. I believe I will win over it."

The actress and Easterling were vocal about using cannabis oil to treat her pain. She also teamed up with Dancers Against Cancer to shoot a PSA about the illness.

JOHN MADE OLIVIA LUCKY

She was previously married to Matt Lattanzi, with whom she shares a daughter, Chloe Rose. She still has a good relationship with Lattanzi and his new wife.

They're all friends, and Newton-John explained, "life is about love and forgiveness and moving on. He's still the father of my daughter." She further stated:

“We actually made a pact very early on, even before we got married, that if we had a child we would never allow anything to come between the relationship with the child and we’d never make her part of a pawn thing that people do.”

Olivia Newton-John and Matt Lattanzi at the opening night after party of Dreamgirls on March 20, 1983 | Source: Getty Images

She also dated cameraman Patrick McDermott for nine years, and after their split, McDermott went missing and was presumed dead following a fishing trip in 2005.

Despite her emotional scars and fears, she never gave up on love. "I didn't settle down till my thirties," she said. "I was afraid of marriage because my father had three marriages, and my sister had three, so I was nervous.

John Easterling and Olivia Newton-John at the opening of "XANADU" on Broadway on July 10, 2007 | Source: Getty Images

However, Newton-John considers herself lucky to find her true love in time. As she gushed:

"I’m very lucky I have a wonderful, beautiful husband who is just so loving and fantastic. I always tell my friends you’re never too old to find love. I found the love of my life at 59 going on 60! I’m grateful."

Easterling not only took care of his wife, but they also made the best out of their shared lives before her death. She enjoyed being a housewife in her last years as her husband helped and supported her daily.

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