Today entertainment editor Richard Wilkins has played a heart-warming voice message Olivia Newton-John’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi left him after he was overcome with emotion during a tribute to the late Australian star on live TV.
The Grease actress and singer died “peacefully” at her ranch in Southern California earlier this week following a lengthy battle with breast cancer.
“Chloe Lattanzi, Olivia’s daughter, sent me a beautiful message earlier today, which I played and cried again,” Wilkins said on the Today show on Wednesday.
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“And I said to her, ‘I would never do it without your permission. Would you like me to share your beautiful message with her many friends and fans on-air?’
“And she said, ‘Yes, please. Tell them how much their love is helping me cope. I want to be a link for them. Give light, give thanks, gratitude. I’m holding you in my heart’.”
In the voicemail message Ms Lattanzi said: “Hi Richard, this is Chloe, I just saw your beautiful tribute to my mummy.”
“I just wanted to hold you. I saw how much you loved her and I just want you to know she’s free now and out of pain and all the family is here together.
“She’s making the sun shine and the dogs are running around and smiling and the horses are galloping.
“I just want you to know that she’s free from pain now and she fought so hard and I was with her every step of the way.
“I just felt your love. Mummy and I both cared about you – care about you so much.
“I love you my friend, thank you for doing that.”
Wilkins, who was a close friend of Newton John, fought back tears as he paid tribute to the entertainment icon on Tuesday.
After airing a segment of his last interview with her, Wilkins was left unable to speak as he struggled to hold his emotions in.
Today co-host Karl Stefanovic got up from his seat to give him a hug as he grabbed a handful of tissues.
“It’s alright,” Stefanovic said, as he gave Wilkins a hug.
“She touched everyone, didn’t she? Even through a Zoom call, whether it was someone in a hospital, someone on the boardwalks of Hollywood who didn’t even know her that well, that depth of feeling, this woman was extraordinary. “
“Well, I’m still numb,” Wilkins said. “I’ve got nothing more to say.”
Lattanzi, who is Newton-John’s only child, paid tribute to her mother on Instagram just days after the news of her death was announced.
The 36-year-old singer said her mother was her “lighthouse”, her “safe place” and her “heart space”.
“It has been an honor and continues to be my honor to be your baby and your best friend.
“You are an angel on earth and everyone touched by you has been blessed. I love you forever my life giver, my teacher, my mama.”
Newton-John died surrounded by her close friends and family.
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