Karl’s daughter reveals heartbreaking truth of parents' divorce
Karl Stefanovic’s daughter, Willow, has opened up about her parents’ divorce and the state of their non-existent relationship since.
Willow - whose full name is Ava Willow - is the eldest of three children shared between Karl and ex-wife, Cassandra Thorburn. Willow is 18, while her brothers Jackson and River are 23 and 16 respectively. Karl also has a daughter with his new wife, two-year-old Harper.
While Karl and Cassandra split in 2016 and divorced in 2017 after a 21 year marriage, it seems the situation between them remains tense, with Willow telling Woman’s Day that the pair haven’t so much as been in the same room as each other for years.
Her hope, however, is that they might overcome any lingering resentment towards each other and make space for a new, positive family dynamic in the future. She’d like to have them both there when she walks down the aisle, or to celebrate her 21st with her.
“That’s something I’ve always wanted,” Willow admitted, “to bring them together for special occasions, but I’ve had to distance myself from it because it’s not my issue.
“It’s their business if they choose not to be friendly. Of course, I wish it wasn’t like this, but I won’t be forcing them.
“I hope one day we can all be together again.”
Of the experience of witnessing the marriage breakdown, and the consequent divorce, Willow was open, sharing that although it had been seven years and that she was only 11 at the time, “like a lot of modern families who’ve experienced a break-up, it’s been tough.
“But in my mindset now I believe that everything has happened for a reason, and this result is the best for everyone.”
She went on to share that her mum, Cassandra, “has never been happier” and enjoying her new chapter in life as a dental nurse and receptionist. And she only had love and praise in her heart for her brothers, describing them as “good people with beautiful hearts”
Willow went on to share her belief that if their upbringing had been any different, and had their parents remained together, “the outcome might not have been good for everyone, so thankfully those earlier struggles have made us all stronger than ever."
And when it came to the somewhat-new additions to Karl’s side of their family, Willow was all positivity again, telling Woman’s Day that Harper is “the best little sister.”
“Jasmine is like my second mum,” she added, “and has become more like a friend to me … and for the record, Jasmine is much stricter than Dad! When I stay with them, and when it comes to curfews, I dare not be late - she often gets up in the middle of the night to make sure I'm home safe and tucked in."
Images: Getty