Cassandra Thorburn shares moving photo and tribute to dad who died of cancer

Cassandra Thorburn, 47, has shared an emotional tribute to her late father Max after he passed away on Thursday following a battle with cancer.

Taking to Instagram, the ex-wife of Today show host Karl Stefanovic wrote a touching post dedicated to her father, who died at the age of 72, alongside a photo of him when he was younger. Thorburn also posted a photo of his hands holding hers.

“A journalism career spanning over 50 years in TV, newspapers and radio,” she wrote. “A role model to many, and my biggest supporter. Thank you for being the beloved poppy to my children and my Dad.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpEA5zjhHq3/?taken-by=cassthorburn

The media personality also took to Facebook to thank her family and friends for their support.

“Thank you for all the messages and calls of love and support,” the mother-of-three wrote. “A man who made a difference passed today. A man who was also just Dad and Poppy and was so deeply loved. My Achilles heel will always be with me.”

Speaking to the Daily Mail about her tragic loss, Thorburn said: “My dad’s passing is a loss to so many. I was just blessed to be his daughter and my children had the most incredibly devoted poppy.

“What more can be said? He fought hard for three years and the last six months have been excruciating. We are devastated. My dad taught me to accept life is full of imperfect people, including ourselves and to approach each day as an opportunity to do better. If you hurt someone be man enough to admit it and make amends. True gifts.”

Read more: ‘My children still have a dad’: Cassandra Thorburn defends ex Karl Stefanovic

It’s been a rocky couple of years for Thorburn following her divorce from husband Karl Stefanovic. Thorburn’s divorce has played out in front of the nation, with the pair taking turns to exchange blows in the public eye over the past year.

However, the mother-of-three recently surprised TV viewers by jumping to Stefanovic’s defence during an exchange with the Studio 10 panellists, insisting despite their differences, the 44-year-old TV star will always be their children’s father.

Asked how she’s finding being a single mum, Thorburn said: “It’s good, I’m going really well, the kids are great, I’m great, life is pretty good.”

It prompted Sarah Harris to point out how hard it must be to suddenly be a single mum after so many years in a relationship – before adding: “I think that would be such a tricky thing, all of a sudden being mum and dad for your kids.”

However, Thorburn then quickly jumped in and cut her off, saying: “But you’re not mum and dad, you know my children still have a dad – of course they do. I’m not replacing him in that position, he still holds that position. He will always be their dad.”

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