Dame Olivia Newton-John's widower John Easterling finds love again with American entrepreneur Sarah Owen, three years after beloved star's death
The 73-year-old has been quietly spending time with American entrepreneur Sarah Owen, 62, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The pair are understood to have met at a New Year's Eve party in December 2022, four months after Newton-John died following a brave and lengthy battle with cancer.
Though the pair have kept a low profile, Easterling and Owen have been spotted together more frequently in recent months around Santa Ynez, California.
Owen, who was previously married to actor James Woods, is the founder of pet care brands StripHair and The Gentle Groomer, both owned by her company Betty's Best.
Easterling, meanwhile, is the founder of the Amazon Herb Company, which focuses on plant-based medicine, an area he and Newton-John both passionately supported, especially in cancer research.
Despite the new relationship, Easterling has remained open about the depth of his grief and enduring love for Newton-John.
"Olivia and I had a love so big and so indefinite in time," he told People earlier this year.
"We embraced it as something even bigger than ourselves. We never had any petty arguments or anything like that. I didn't even think love could be like that."
He also revealed that he still feels connected to Olivia's spirit in places that were special to them, saying she continues to send him messages to "love and live life".
"Life is very, very precious, and don't waste a moment of life because it's a very thin veil that separates us," he said.
"I see and feel her presence all the time, and I know we'll be completely reunited again. So that's giving me the strength and the energy to really push forward."
Easterling and Newton-John met through mutual friends in the 1990s but did not begin dating until many years later.
They publicly confirmed their relationship in 2007 and married in two ceremonies in 2008, first in a spiritual Incan ritual in Peru, followed by a second wedding on a beach in Florida with family and friends.
They remained married until the British-Australian actress' death on August 8, 2022, at the age of 73.
"Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends," Easterling wrote in a statement posted to Olivia's official Instagram account at the time.
"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, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer."
Easterling was Olivia's second husband.
She was previously married to actor Matt Lattanzi, with whom she shared daughter Chloe Lattanzi, 39.
Since the beloved Grease star's death, both Easterling and Lattanzi have continued her legacy through the annual 'Walk for Wellness' fundraiser supporting the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre.
"It's an incredible honour," Lattanzi told People in 2023.
"I could never imagine letting my mum's dream die. I feel her inside of me, guiding me - like, 'This is your job. This is what you're supposed to do'."
Chloe also expressed deep compassion for Easterling, describing him as "my other father".
"John and I were taking care of her together," she said of her mother's final days.
"There's such a strong bond and my heart just breaks for him. I will always be the person that he can lean on."
Newton-John's long health journey began with a breast cancer diagnosis in 1992.
After an initial remission, the disease returned in 2013 and again in 2017 as a tumour at the base of her spine.
Following her tragic death, Newton-John was honoured with a state memorial service in Melbourne, featuring video tributes from Hugh Jackman, Sir Elton John, Dolly Parton, Pink, Sir Barry Gibb, and Mariah Carey.
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With nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards closing on July 31, he hopes Australians will look closer at the unsung heroes in their own lives. Being named Australia's Local Hero in 2024 had created opportunities for the museum, Mr Elliott said. "Now when I go to talk to people, they know who you are and what you're doing. That credibility is really important. Before, a lot of them hadn't heard of us." While the museum already had strong partnerships in scientific circles, the award expanded its profile to the the broader public. "We were well known among researchers and universities, but not as much outside that world. "This recognition has helped change that. Recognition inspires people to keep going and often motivates others around them. It's not just about one person, it's about lifting a whole community." Out in Winton, a small town in Queensland's rugged heart, the pace of life has picked up since the award. Meetings, fossil digs and pushing forward a vision that began at his kitchen table with wife Judy more than 20 years ago has become all-consuming. This year, much of his energy is going into an ambitious plan for an Australian natural history museum. "We want to go beyond dinosaurs," Mr Elliott said. "This is about Australia's entire natural history, animals, plants, landscapes. It's our story, and what we're building now will inspire kids in 50 or 100 years." The groundbreaking dinosaur work continues. In June, the museum made global headlines with a world first: discovery of the preserved stomach contents of a Diamantinasaurus, nicknamed Judy. The find, including fossilised plants and dinosaur skin, drew international attention. "These discoveries entice people to visit and remind them that world-class science happens here too," he said. The buzz around a new Jurassic Park movie in cinemas has also been a boost: "It brings a wave of curiosity. As the museum grows and more fossils go on display, those numbers will keep rising". After his year as Australia's Local Hero, Mr Elliott finds conversations for the museum easier to start, potential partners more eager to listen and locals in Winton feeling proud. "It means I can walk into a meeting and people know the museum and what we stand for," he said. "That credibility is invaluable for a not-for-profit organisation. "It's about more than the museum, it's about showing that you can achieve big things no matter where you are, as long as you've got determination and community support." Mr Elliott urges Australians to think about the "extraordinary people all around us" for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards. "The volunteer who shows up rain or shine, the teacher who goes above and beyond, the neighbour who's always helping others," he said. "They don't ask for attention, but their efforts change lives." The act of nominating someone was powerful: "That recognition can give people the push to keep going. It also inspires others to step up and make a difference. "When you're chosen, you carry the weight of all the people out there doing good who haven't been recognised yet. You feel like you've got to use the platform to highlight them too". Who inspires you? Who should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 awards at David Elliott still remembers the moment he heard his name read out at the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra last year. Surrounded by people whose stories left him humbled, the executive chairman of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum at Winton, Queensland, didn't expect to be called to the stage. "I was sitting there thinking about all the incredible Australians in the room," Mr Elliott said. "I had already decided it wasn't going to be me. So when my name came up as Australia's Local Hero for 2024, I think I just sat there for a second, stunned. It took a little while to sink in." For Mr Elliott, who has spent more than two decades unearthing dinosaurs in Queensland's red soil, the recognition wasn't about personal glory. It was about the team, the community and the idea that extraordinary things can grow from ordinary people with big dreams. With nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards closing on July 31, he hopes Australians will look closer at the unsung heroes in their own lives. Being named Australia's Local Hero in 2024 had created opportunities for the museum, Mr Elliott said. "Now when I go to talk to people, they know who you are and what you're doing. That credibility is really important. Before, a lot of them hadn't heard of us." While the museum already had strong partnerships in scientific circles, the award expanded its profile to the the broader public. "We were well known among researchers and universities, but not as much outside that world. "This recognition has helped change that. Recognition inspires people to keep going and often motivates others around them. It's not just about one person, it's about lifting a whole community." Out in Winton, a small town in Queensland's rugged heart, the pace of life has picked up since the award. Meetings, fossil digs and pushing forward a vision that began at his kitchen table with wife Judy more than 20 years ago has become all-consuming. This year, much of his energy is going into an ambitious plan for an Australian natural history museum. "We want to go beyond dinosaurs," Mr Elliott said. "This is about Australia's entire natural history, animals, plants, landscapes. It's our story, and what we're building now will inspire kids in 50 or 100 years." The groundbreaking dinosaur work continues. In June, the museum made global headlines with a world first: discovery of the preserved stomach contents of a Diamantinasaurus, nicknamed Judy. The find, including fossilised plants and dinosaur skin, drew international attention. "These discoveries entice people to visit and remind them that world-class science happens here too," he said. The buzz around a new Jurassic Park movie in cinemas has also been a boost: "It brings a wave of curiosity. As the museum grows and more fossils go on display, those numbers will keep rising". After his year as Australia's Local Hero, Mr Elliott finds conversations for the museum easier to start, potential partners more eager to listen and locals in Winton feeling proud. "It means I can walk into a meeting and people know the museum and what we stand for," he said. "That credibility is invaluable for a not-for-profit organisation. "It's about more than the museum, it's about showing that you can achieve big things no matter where you are, as long as you've got determination and community support." Mr Elliott urges Australians to think about the "extraordinary people all around us" for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards. "The volunteer who shows up rain or shine, the teacher who goes above and beyond, the neighbour who's always helping others," he said. "They don't ask for attention, but their efforts change lives." The act of nominating someone was powerful: "That recognition can give people the push to keep going. It also inspires others to step up and make a difference. "When you're chosen, you carry the weight of all the people out there doing good who haven't been recognised yet. You feel like you've got to use the platform to highlight them too". Who inspires you? Who should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 awards at