Karl Stevanovic's ex reveals how their divorce has hurt their kids

It was her first TV interview since the split

September 03 2018

Cassandra Thorburn has opened up for the first time since her high profile split with her husband of 21 years Karl Stefanovic, 44.

In a sit-down interview with The Morning Show’s Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies, the 47-year-old revealed the impact the separation had on the former couple’s three children Jackson, 19, Ava, 13, and 11-year-old River.

'I think everyone knows separating and divorce is particularly challenging, for the children especially,' the mother-of-three confessed.

'And it being so public wasn't perfect!' she added.

Karl and Cassandra announced their split nearly two years ago with the Today show host going public with his now-fiance Jasmine Yarbrough, 34 just months afterwards. 

But despite a complicated split, Cassandra remains positive about the future and says her kids are her priority.

‘I want to focus on my children and making sure that they're all happy and well. Looking that far ahead and focusing on myself is not something that I'm wanting to do right now,' she added.

Cass has now written a children's book Leo Lion’s BIG Bed!

The profits will all go to Relationships Australia — a charity which helps families who are going through separation and one which Cass supports fully.

'I thought it was a perfect thing to put all profits into, because it’s important to me,' she told Larry and Kylie.

“It’s part of what me and my children have been through, which led to me writing this book.”

Last month Cassandra was less positive about the split and spoke about how her ex-husband had barely any contact with their children.

‘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,’ she told a weekly magazine.

‘It has been a real adjustment period for me.’

Karl who is busy planning his wedding with Jasmine hit back with his spokesperson claiming otherwise.

‘We are disappointed Cass would claim such inflammatory suggestions that we have alienated Karl’s children from our family,’ they said.

‘Nothing could be further from the truth. Karl regularly co-parents his children and has his loving family around them.’

Faye James is a regular contributor at New Idea, WHO and Practical Parenting and works across health, beauty, celebrity and royal content. She has over 20 years of experience spanning across the UK, Middle East and Australia.