Cassandra Thorburn has revealed she did not hear from ex-husband Karl Stefanovic after publicly sharing her rare breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year. After more than two decades together, her brief response about the Today host carried more weight than a lengthy explanation — while Cassandra also opened up about the painful experience of people unexpectedly pulling away during cancer treatment.
Cassandra Thorburn Reveals Karl Stefanovic Did Not Reach Out After Her Cancer Diagnosis — As Her Brief Response Says Plenty
Cassandra Thorburn has spoken candidly about her relationship with ex-husband Karl Stefanovic, revealing that she did not hear from him after publicly announcing her cancer diagnosis in February.
The 55-year-old journalist, who was married to the Today host for more than two decades before their separation in 2016, made the admission during a recent interview with The Sydney Morning Herald.
And when asked whether Karl had contacted her, Cassandra’s response was remarkably brief — but after everything the former couple had shared, it appeared to say far more than a lengthy explanation might have.
Cassandra opened up about Karl after her diagnosis
Cassandra publicly revealed earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer.
Speaking about the period that followed, she confirmed she had not heard from Karl since making the diagnosis public.
When the subject was raised, Cassandra replied: “No, I know who he is. It’s others that don’t.”
The comment offered a rare glimpse into how she now views the man she was married to for 21 years.
Their relationship stretches back decades
Cassandra and Karl married in 1995 and remained together until their separation in 2016.
They share three children — Jackson, Ava and River — and for many years were one of Australian television’s most familiar media families.
Cassandra had begun her own career as a journalist before stepping away from her professional ambitions to focus on raising their children.
Karl publicly acknowledged that sacrifice during his 2011 Logies acceptance speech, thanking Cassandra for giving up her developing journalism career for their family.
Cassandra also made another pointed observation
During the interview, Cassandra also commented on Karl’s latest media venture, The Karl Stefanovic Show.
She suggested his interest in attention-grabbing material was nothing new, saying he had long been interested in “clickbait”.
The remark added another pointed layer to her comments about her former husband, years after their marriage came to an end.
She has also spoken about ‘cancer ghosting’
Beyond her comments about Karl, Cassandra discussed a much broader issue she encountered during her cancer journey — something she refers to as “cancer ghosting.”
The term describes situations where friends, relatives or other people in someone’s life begin to distance themselves after a cancer diagnosis.
Cassandra previously addressed the subject in a candid social media video, describing it as a seemingly taboo issue that may be more common than many people realise.
She explained that some people simply do not know what to say, while others may wait so long to make contact that reaching out eventually becomes increasingly difficult.
What Cassandra says people with cancer really notice
Cassandra said a cancer diagnosis can dramatically change expectations.
Rather than spending time questioning why particular friends or acquaintances have not contacted them, she said patients are often focused on what they are already going through.
But there is an important distinction.
“You don’t expect people to leave,” Cassandra told the publication.
She has also stressed that people who withdraw may be reacting to their own emotional limitations rather than a lack of care for the person who is unwell.
Importantly, the original report specifically states that there is no suggestion Karl Stefanovic engaged in “cancer ghosting” of Cassandra.
Cassandra continues treatment after becoming cancer-free
Cassandra is now cancer-free, according to the report, although she is continuing with radiation and immunotherapy treatment.
Her latest comments offer a deeply personal look at an experience that has extended far beyond medical treatment — from changing relationships to discovering who remains present during one of life’s most difficult periods.
And after more than two decades of shared history with Karl, it was ultimately Cassandra’s few carefully chosen words that became one of the most revealing parts of the conversation.
Source: Daily Mail Australia, citing The Sydney Morning Herald and Cassandra Thorburn’s previous public comments.