TV personality Mel Schilling has died weeks after sharing an update on her health. The news comes shortly after she revealed her cancer had metastasized to her brain.
What was Mel Schilling’s cause of death?
In a statement, her husband Gareth confirmed the news, saying she “passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love”. No further details about the immediate cause of death have been shared publicly, although Schilling has been open about her illness in recent months.
Schilling, best known for her role as a relationship expert on the TV series Married at First Sight (Mafs), revealed that she was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023. She has since been undergoing treatment and has been open about her experiences with the disease.
In early March, she shared that her condition had worsened. According to Schilling, her cancer had spread to the left side of her brain, and she said there was “nothing more” doctors could do to treat her. The update marked a significant and emotional moment as it recognized the limits of available treatment.
She also described the extent of her medical care, explaining that she had undergone 16 rounds of chemotherapy. This was followed by radiotherapy, which she underwent while continuing to shoot for MAFS. Her decision to continue working during treatment reflected her commitment to the show and her role in it.
Schilling first joined the cast of Married at First Sight in Australia in 2016, where she became a familiar face to viewers as part of an expert panel. Over time, she also appeared in the UK edition of the program which airs on E4, further expanding her presence with viewers outside of Australia.
In addition to his television work, Schilling has recently spoken about stepping back from his professional commitments. She previously declared her intention to step down from the Australian iteration of the show after serving 12 seasons on the expert panel. The decision came amid her ongoing health problems.
Her openness about her diagnosis and treatment resonated with many as she continued to share updates with honesty and clarity. Her death prompted a flood of messages from viewers and colleagues who followed her journey on and off screen.
Schilling is remembered for her work on television, her role in shaping relationship conversations on Mafs, and the way she chose to talk about her illness in recent months.
