After being diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023, Mel shared that cancer had spread to her brain in a devastating health update just 11 days ago.
She leaves behind husband Gareth Brisbane and 10-year-old daughter Maddie.
“Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love,” Brisbane said in a statement shared on his wife’s social media tonight.
“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.”
Brisbane described Schilling as “an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate”.
In the lengthy statement, he went on to praise that his wife became “a new mum and a TV star at 42 — and nailed both” and the brave way she faced cancer head-on in her early 50s.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
The widower thanked fans from all around the world who had sent their well wishes during her cancer battle.
“On behalf of our family and her incredible friendship group, thank you for the support from around the world,” he said.
“I also want to thank our wonderful MAFS family — John, Alessandra, Charlene, Roxy, and Sophie — for your kindness and compassion.”
Schilling joined the MAFS experiment in its second season in 2016 and after its success, joined the MAFS UK expert couch in 2021.
Before this, Schilling built a 20-year career as a registered psychologist, life coach and therapist.
Despite her career, she described herself as a “late bloomer” when it came to finding love.
She met her husband on a dating website in 2010 and they married in Bali eight years later.
Schilling described the early years of their relationship as “pretty full-on”. She fell pregnant before suffering a miscarriage at 40.
In the years that followed Schilling and Brisbane went through IVF to fall pregnant with their daughter, Maddie, who she had at age 42.
In December 2023, Schilling first shared she’d been diagnosed with colon cancer.
She spent much of 2024 undergoing chemotherapy and treatment while also shooting both MAFS UK and Australia back-to-back.
“To be totally honest, being at work was my favourite and it was so important because I felt like so much of myself was taken away with being unwell,” Schilling told nine.com.au in January 2025.
“Being able to step into my work role was just so incredibly rewarding for me. It just reminded me that I’m still me. I can still be of value to people, be of service. It was really, really important to me. I’m so glad that I was able to do it.”
Two years after the initial diagnosis, she received devastating news that cancer had spread to her brain, leaving her oncology team with “nothing further they can do”.
“Over the past two years, while filming MAFS, I underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and was later told I was eligible for a ground-breaking clinical trial specific to my gene type, due to start in March 2026.
“Once again, my optimism soared that I might beat this thing.
“Over Christmas, however, I began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down my right side.
“After many tests I was told the cancer had spread to the left side of my brain and, despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do.”
Alongside her sad news, Mel offered advice to her friends and followers.
“If I could leave you with one thing, it would simply be this: if something doesn’t feel right, please get it checked out. It might just save your life,” she said.
Endemol Shine Australia (ESA), which produces the local version of the show, said the loss of Schilling was “a moment of deep sadness” for the whole cast and crew of the show.
“We are beyond heartbroken to say goodbye to our beloved Mel,” Tara McWilliams, director of content for the production house said in a statement.
“In this moment of deep sadness, there are no words that really feel like enough, only a huge sense of loss for a beautiful woman who meant so much to so many of us here at ESA”.
McWilliams said Schilling was “deeply loved for her kindness, her warmth, her honesty, her sparkle, and the way she made everyone around her feel seen and understood”.
“She had a rare and beautiful way of connecting with people, being in her presence was something truly special,” McWilliams said.
“We’re holding Gareth, Maddie, Mel’s family and friends in our hearts and sending all of our thoughts during this unimaginable time.
“For the past 10 years we were privileged to work alongside you. We will miss you more than words can say”.
Nine executive director of entertainment, streaming and broadcasting Michael Healy shared a message on behalf of the network, which owns this website, praising Schilling’s “gift for connecting with people”.
“All of us at Nine are deeply saddened by the loss of Mel Schilling,” Healy said.
“Mel was a wonderful colleague and friend. She had a gift for connecting with people and helping them navigate life’s challenges.
“For years, she guided us through the complexities of the human heart with wisdom, honesty, and kindness.
“Mel was a big part of our family, and she will be greatly missed.
“Our hearts and deepest sympathies are with her husband Gareth, their daughter Maddie and her entire family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Channel 4, the home of MAFS UK, remembered the popular personality as “someone who radiated joy, warmth and optimism”.
“All of us at Channel 4 are incredibly saddened by the news of Mel’s death,” the channel said.
“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.”
The channel also paid tribute to Schilling on a more personal level.
“For many who work for Channel 4, Mel was not just a colleague but a friend, someone who radiated joy, warmth and optimism, who energised every room she walked into, with humour and positivity,” it said.
“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.”
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