Karl Stefanovic’s ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn shares heartbreaking message about loneliness amid cancer battle: ‘I don’t want to burden my kids’

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Cassandra Thorburn has shared a heart-rending health update in the midst of her cancer battle.

Karl Stefanovic’s former wife announced in February that she has been diagnosed with a rare and fast-growing type of breast cancer.

On Thursday, 55-year-old Cassandra shared on Instagram that she’s focusing on getting through each day as she battles cancer.

She posted a bald selfie, a result of her chemotherapy, and sent a message of support – a ‘virtual hug’ – to others going through the same thing.

‘A one foot in front of the other kind of day walking to chemo treatment today,’ she wrote.

‘Sending everyone on the chemo journey, especially those of you on your own, a virtual hug.’

She then gave a sobering insight into her own cancer journey.

She messaged that she’s thinking of me during quiet, sleepless nights, when worries fill her mind, and that she plans to try meditation tomorrow.

The post was met with an outpouring of support from friends and followers. 

Responding to Cassandra’s feeling of being self-reliant, one person wrote: ‘You’re incredibly brave, and I’m sorry you’re going through this alone.’

Don’t you have any family or friends who could help out and spend time with you? That sounds really frightening, I’d be so upset if I were in your situation.

Cassandra responded by saying she had support from her family, but she didn’t want to burden her three children – Jackson, 25, Ava, 19, and River, 18 – with her worries.

I’m looking forward to my mum’s visit and I’m so grateful for my children. But I’ve realized you shouldn’t pass on your anxieties to them – they’re the whole reason you want to protect them in the first place.

Cassandra added that she felt cancer is a singular journey despite the level of support.

She felt like dealing with cancer was a very lonely experience, unless others close to you had also gone through it.

I’ve noticed a pattern with my clients – it’s often when we’re alone with our thoughts, especially at night, that those nagging doubts and anxieties really surface. That’s why I often recommend solo travel or simply embracing time alone – it’s a chance to confront those inner challenges and grow from them.

One follower beautifully captured what many were feeling, saying: ‘You’re beautiful and brave, truly amazing and inspirational.’

‘Thank you for documenting your journey and sharing honestly how it feels. One day at a time.’    

In February, the journalist and former contestant on Dancing With The Stars revealed heartbreaking news about her health in an Instagram video.

She started the video by mentioning a post from the day before, where she revealed her newly shaved head.

Cassandra explained she needed to review her previous post, as she’d been reflecting on her reasons for making it during her morning walk.

For me, a big part of dealing with treatment and diagnosis is having control over how and when I share what’s happening – specifically, when I lose my hair and who I tell. Both my children and I prefer to be open about it, and that’s because I feel supported and not isolated through this process.

I’m following a path forged by many women who came before me, and I know others will continue along it after I’m gone.

She finished her video on a hopeful note, explaining that while things changed quickly and unexpectedly, she wasn’t dwelling on negativity or self-pity. Instead, she was determined to overcome the challenge.

Cassandra was married to Today host Karl for 21 years before their acrimonious split in 2016. 

Karl has remarried, marrying former model Jasmine Yarbrough in 2018. They have a five-year-old daughter named Harper.

Cassandra started out working in media and as a TV journalist, but she paused her career to focus on raising her three children.

Karl publicly thanked her in his acceptance speech at the 2011 Logies, acknowledging that she had paused her promising journalism career to prioritize their family.

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2026-04-10 04:34