Willow Stefanovic Returns Home to Support Mother Through Cancer Battle
When Cassandra Thorburn, ex-wife of television personality Karl Stefanovic, revealed her diagnosis of rare and aggressive cancer, her daughter Willow was one of the first to offer public support. Willow, one of Cass and Karl’s three adult children, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, stating, “Love you Mum, you are so strong and will get through this.”
Now, just a month after Cass disclosed her triple-negative occult breast cancer diagnosis, it appears Willow, who has been pursuing fashion journalism studies at the London College of Fashion since 2023, has made a significant move to be by her mother’s side as she undergoes intensive chemotherapy treatment.
A source has indicated that Willow returned to Australia, arriving in time to celebrate her 21st birthday with her family. The insider explained that Cass and Willow had initially been planning a road trip around the UK when Cass received her cancer diagnosis. “With the help of both Karl and Cass, Willow made the decision that instead she would fly home and spend quality time with her mum,” the source revealed.
While her mother’s well-being is Willow’s top priority, she has also been eager to reconnect with her brothers, Jackson, 26, and River, 19. Reports also suggest she has spent time with her father, Karl Stefanovic, whom Cass divorced after 21 years of marriage nearly a decade ago.
The source further highlighted that despite her parents’ acrimonious divorce, Willow has consistently maintained a strong relationship with both of them. When Willow’s plan to return home to support her mother encountered an obstacle, it is understood that Karl Stefanovic intervened to facilitate her travel.
“With the current conflict in the Middle East it was touch-and-go there for a while if she could even get a flight, but Karl apparently stepped in and made it all happen,” the insider told Woman’s Day. The source added that Willow’s 21st birthday celebrations were “very low key” and consisted of a quiet family dinner at a local restaurant.
The duration of Willow’s stay in Australia remains uncertain. She has established a life in London, where she resides with her Argentinian boyfriend, Genaro Abdala, and has reportedly impressed her university tutors with her considerable talent in fashion.
“There’s every likelihood Willow won’t ever come home – she is embedded in an exciting life in London where the opportunities both there and in Europe are far more exciting for someone who has a degree in fashion journalism,” the source elaborated. “That said, the industry is on its knees so Willow may have to pivot and find another way to excel in such a niche market. But she’s one very driven young woman – and with her dad being who he is, maybe Karlos can work his magic because at the end of the day she is Karl’s first born daughter and he would do anything for her.”
Regardless of what the future holds, the insider stated that all three Stefanovic children are “rallying around their mum” as she navigates her cancer treatment.
Cassandra Thorburn has been open about her determination to face her treatment with resilience. “I’m not walking a path that’s not well travelled by many women before me, and I will not be the last,” the journalist and author previously shared. “It may have flipped my world in days, but there’s no ‘why me’. There’s no poor me here, just a desire to stop this in its tracks. I don’t need this freeloader.”
Since returning to Australia, Willow has quietly taken on a supportive role, working to maintain a sense of normalcy for her mother while Cass concentrates on her treatment. Friends have noted that Willow has been accompanying her mother to medical appointments and cherishing simple moments together, which now carry profound significance amidst the uncertainty.
As Cass confronts the challenges of chemotherapy, those closest to her have emphasized that the strength of her family, and Willow’s decision to be present, has become an invaluable source of comfort and support.
