Karl’s ex forgives him
Shes’ made peace with her ex walking out on their marriage
Soaking up Mexico’s sunshine with friends and family in Cancun, Cass Thorburn looked like a changed woman.
The estranged wife of Today’s Karl Stefanovic, 42, thought she would never recover from the shock of her husband walking out. He left behind their 21-year marriage and three kids, Jackson, 17, Ava, 11, and River, 10, without any explanation or warning.
But five months after her home life was ripped apart and the details of her messy break-up revealed, friends say the resilient 45-year-old is making sense of what happened and getting her life back on track.
“Last year was the worst year of Cass’s life. She was blindsided by Karl leaving, and discovering how much of his life he had kept secret made her feel like their whole relationship had been a lie,” says a close friend.
“But she’s finally happy again. She may never really know what happened – but she’s letting go. Cass is ready to forgive and move on – for the sake of her mental health and for her kids.”
Leaving behind thoughts of her first Christmas without Karl, Cass jetted off to spend the new year on the white sand beaches of Cancun, seeking solace under the sun with her close friends Aussie journalist Mike Amor, his wife Tracy, and all the kids.
“The break was exactly what Cass needed,” tells the friend. “Getting as far from Sydney as she could and leaving last year’s mess behind her gave her some head space, and being with her friends was fun. She felt isolated in Sydney surrounded by Karl’s family and workmates, who have deserted her since the split.”
Last year Cass opened up about how tough she was finding life after losing her “best friend” and husband, Karl. At times her anxiety was so bad she was even afraid to leave the house.
“I don’t want to be scared to go out, but there are days when I dread going to the supermarket,” said Cass, who, unlike Karl has always shunned the limelight, preferring to stay home rather than attend celebrity parties.
But long walks on the beach and therapeutic chats with Tracy have got Cass feeling like her old self once again. Sharing happy snaps on social media, bronzed and relaxed Cass was a far cry from the woman caught looking stricken in Sydney when news broke of Karl’s friendship with food blogger Sofia Levin, after she discovered a series of text messages between the pair.
“Cass had a ball. It was very family oriented, just days on the beach with the Amors,” says the pal.
Cass knows there are still tough times ahead when it comes to finalising their settlement, including the $8m North Sydney property bought just before their split. But she also knows she’s entitled to a huge chunk of Karl’s fortune and she’s not worried.
Even farewelling Jackson at the airport, as he jetted off to Aspen to join Karl on a ski trip with James Packer, didn’t cause Cass anguish. The thought of Karl reliving his bachelor days with billionaire playboy James didn’t hurt her like it used to – and friends say she won’t be exacting revenge by dating someone else.
“After 21 years and with three kids to focus on, she hasn’t given a thought to dating,” confides another friend. “She’s just not ready yet. She felt strong and independent taking the kids on holiday on her own, and she’s beginning to see that life can be just as fun without Karl.”