Olivia Newton-John's daughter reflects on her mother's life, one year after her death
Olivia Newton-John's daughter has opened up about her grief journey on the one year anniversary of her mother's death.
Chloe Lattanzi spoke candidly with Stellar magazine about what the last year has looked like for her and her family, as they still struggle with the reality of losing a loved one.
Since Olivia's death last year, Chloe and her husband James moved into Olivia's ranch in California, where Chloe says she still feels the healing presence of her late mother.
"I feel like she’s still alive," she said. "Even though I feel her around me in spirit, it’s a tangible place where I feel my mother."
"I can walk on the soil and be like, her foot was here. I can sit on her favourite seat and know that she sat there a thousand times, and visualise sitting on her lap. It’s the last place she lived, where she crossed and I held her hand. She’s still alive there for me.”
Chloe shared that the outpouring of love after Olivia's passing was overwhelming, as fans from around the world sent their thoughts and messages of love.
“I got absolute oceans of love and support and connection. I’m kind of isolated on the ranch, and I’d have fans reaching out: ‘If you ever need anything, anyone to talk to… we love you so much.’"
"It was the lifeboat, and beautiful in a way, all these people sending so much love to our family and loving my mother. They really lifted me out of dark places."
Chloe is determined to carry on her mother's philanthropic work through the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital, and the annual Walk for Wellness event, which will be celebrating 10 years in October.
Since her mother's passing, Chloe and her family have worked tirelessly to continue her mother's legacy, and encourage others to get involved in the cause.
“It means everything. [Olivia] said, ‘You’re going to carry the torch for me, darling, but you’re going to shine your own unique light.’ I want to rally and encourage everyone to get together, like my mum did."
On the anniversary of Olivia's death, Chloe said she is sure she will feel "shattered", but will surround herself with loved ones and bask in happy memories of her mother.
“I’m going to be spending the day with a mother figure, going to do the things that my mum liked to do. When I think about the day, it quite honestly just shatters me. That’s the truth. It shatters me. But I know that she’s guiding me and she’s with me."
Image credits: Instagram