Karl Stefanovic's heartfelt open letter: "Divorce is rough on everyone"
Karl Stefanovic has responded to his ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn by taking the unusual step of penning a column defending his relationship with his children and detailing his divorce, saying he and Cassandra are doing “the best we can”.
The Today host, who split with Cassandra two years ago but divorced last October, made headlines last week after Thorburn gave a candid interview to Women’s Weeky magazine.
“We’re dead to his family and almost anyone from our old life,” Cassandra told the publication.
“There has been practically no contact. I feel like we’ve been discarded and disposed of, replaced by a whole new line-up of starters. It has been a real adjustment period for me.”
In a column published on 9Honey yesterday, Stefanovic, who announced his engagement to designer Jasmine Yarbrough in February, denied suggestions he’d distanced himself from his children, while also saying he’s “proud” of his ex-wife.
His full column reads: “I wasn't planning on commenting publicly, but I feel the need to put some words around things to avoid further speculation on something that really matters to me.
I'm a good journalist. I'm a terrible prankster.
We all know my dad jokes are bad.
I love a beer and a rum and coke on the weekends.
But first and foremost, I'm a dad. I have three incredibly special kids.
They're just the most beautiful, funny, innocent, exquisite people in my life.
They've got iphones. They're on social media. (Too much for my liking, but what are you going to do!)
They know what people are saying.
When you're on TV you open yourself up to public scrutiny.
I can wear that.
I'm in your homes every morning on the show, so I know it comes with the territory.
But within that, it's my responsibility to shield my kids from the media spotlight when the lines between my job and our family become blurred, and to give them the sanctuary they deserve, especially now.
I don't want my silence, or the fact that my children aren't visibly front and centre with me for everyone to see, to be misinterpreted as absence.
That couldn't be further from the truth.
It just means I want to protect them from scrutiny as much as I can.
I'm their dad and I'm not going anywhere.
I love my kids. I just love them. They know that.
And that's what matters.
Divorce is rough on everyone. Both Cass and I are doing the best we can.
I've read Cass' new book and I think it is fantastic.
I'm proud of her.
She is the mother of my children and I'll always want her to do well.
I encourage everyone to check it out. It’s called "Leo Lion's Big Bed" and you can grab a copy at www.cassandcara.com.
I want to thank everyone for the support they've shown both of us.
This country's a beauty.
Let's keep smiling.”