Married At First Sight star Mel Schilling has died aged 54 “surrounded by love”, her family has announced in a statement shared on Instagram
MAFS star Mel Schilling has tragically died aged 54(Image: Getty Images)
Married At First Sight star Mel Schilling has tragically died aged 54. A statement from her husband announced the devastating news of her passing on Tuesday. It read: “Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling 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 became a new mum and a TV star at 42 — and nailed both. 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.
Married At First Sight star Mel Schilling died “surrounded by love”, her family announced in a statement(Image: mel_schilling1/Instagram)
“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.
“On behalf of our family and her incredible friendship group, thank you for the support from around the world. I also want to thank our wonderful MAFS family — John, Alessandra, Charlene, Roxy, and Sophie — for your kindness and compassion.”To Lee, Louie, Susy, and Ian at Channel 4 / CPL, who went above and beyond for us, we will never forget it. To Sarah at InterTalent, not just an agent, but a true confidante. And to the wonderful Elizabeth Day — Mel’s podcasting partner and dear friend — thank you for your friendship and empathy.”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.
Mel was a beloved expert on Married at First Sight Australia alongside John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla(Image: Channel 9)
“I had 15 wonderful years with my soulmate, and it was the privilege of my life to be by her side. For that, I will be forever thankful. Goodbye, my love. My one. Until we meet again.”
Mel who had been part of the cast of the popular dating show MAFS since 2016, revealed she was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023.
Earlier this month she bravely revealed that her cancer had spread, including to the left side of her brain, and that there was “nothing further” doctors could do to treat it. She explained that she underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy during filming for MAFS.
Mel had previously announced she would be stepping back from the Australian version of the programme after 12 seasons on the expert panel.
Channel 4 said in statement: “All of us at Channel 4 are incredibly saddened by the news of Mel’s death. Our thoughts and condolences are, first and foremost, with her family and loved ones.
“We’re privileged to be the channel that is home to Mel’s work, which was at the heart of Married At First Sight’s phenomenal success, both in the UK and Australia. It reflected so much about her – her fierce advocacy for other women, her passion for healthy relationships and her mission to unite people in love.
“Just as importantly, we’d like to pay tribute to Mel as a person. For many who work for Channel 4, Mel was not just a colleague but a friend, someone who radiated joy, warmth and optimism, who energized every room she walked into, with humour and positivity.
“Everyone who knew her will miss all this about her and much more. We share in the sorrow that we’re sure many viewers will now feel at this terrible loss.”
