Married At First Sight Australia expert Mel Schilling has died after battling cancer, her family confirmed overnight.
The 54-year-old psychologist on the hit reality TV show was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023, which she said had metastasised to her brain earlier this year.
Earlier this month, Schilling shared an update that there was nothing more that could be done for her cancer, saying her "light is starting to fade — and quickly" following extensive years of treatment.
In a post to her social media, her husband Gareth wrote that the TV star "passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love".
"In her final moments, when I thought cancer had taken away her ability to speak, she ushered me closer and whispered a message for Maddie and me that will sustain me for the rest of my life.
"It took all of her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up our wee Melsie perfectly. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me.
"This is a woman who, through two years of chemotherapy, when she could barely lift her head from the pillow, never complained and never stopped showing courage, grace, compassion and empathy, and never missed a day of filming.
"To most of you, she was Mel Schilling — matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate."
He thanked people around the world for their support – including the two other experts on the show, psychologist John Aiken and sexologist Alessandra Rampolla.
“I also want to thank our wonderful MAFS family — John, Alessandra, Charlene, Roxy, and Sophie — for your kindness and compassion.
Aiken posted his own tribute to Schilling on social media following her death.
"It was a privilege and an honour to sit beside her on the MAFS couch and watch her shine. She was warm, supportive and honest, and she deeply cared about all our participants. I had a front row seat to her remarkable skills and she truly believed in the experiment. At her core she loved love."
Aiken went on to describe their relationship off screen and how they would "have so much fun" behind the scenes.
Gareth finished the post: "Life can be beautiful, and life can be incredibly cruel.
"But ultimately, life is fleeting, fragile, and tomorrow is promised to no one. If you can do anything to honour Mel, please live life to the full, love your people well, and try not to sweat the small stuff."
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