Surrounded by rolling hills and lush vegetation, Olivia relished the tranquillity afforded by her home where she lived with beloved husband John, a dog, cats and numerous chickens.
I was lucky enough to visit her beautiful Californian ranch, which was an hour’s drive north of Santa Barbara, in 2019.
Opening the door, she greeted me with a huge smile, and an even huger glass of wine.
To say Olivia was a whirlwind of positivity, is an understatement.
She had incredibly learned to walk again after being confined to a wheelchair as her cancer returned in 2017 which left her with a fractured back.
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And she took great pride in being able to take me on a personal tour of her gorgeous garden, each step a testament to her incredible resolve in getting better.
“It’s been difficult but I keep looking forward,” she told me. “I will and am getting better.”
She was also still brimming with ambition despite so many years in the spotlight.
Singing me a new song she had been working on, her voice was as pitch-perfect as ever.
As we chatted, her house filled up with friends and the sound of laughter.
Hours after our interview ended, we were still sat in her house as she kept filling our glasses to the brim. Here’s to you Olivia...
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