Entertainment

This is Maddie, the daughter of Mel Schilling

By
Mel Schilling
Maddie, the daughter of the recently deceased Mel, is only 12 years old when her mother passes away. She grew up out of the spotlight, but was always central in her mother's life: Maddie, the daughter of Married at First Sight Australia & UK-expert Mel Schilling. Mel was known worldwide as a relationship therapist and television personality, but was also the sweetest mother to Maddie.

A cheerful selfie of three people laughing closely together, including a child and two adults with glasses, presumably during a relaxed moment together.

A long-held wish

Maddie was born in 2014, when Mel was 42 years old. The arrival of her daughter was not a given. Mel and her husband Gareth Brisbane had previously experienced a miscarriage, after which they chose an IVF path.

From that path, Maddie was born via a frozen embryo that was later re-implanted.

Growing up out of the spotlight

Maddie largely grew up away from the media. Occasionally, Mel shared a photo or a moment, but her life remained deliberately private.

What became clear: Maddie grew up in a mega loving family, where privacy was always a priority.

A special family life

Mel worked a lot for television mainly in Australia and the UK, while her husband Gareth took on most of the daily care for Maddie. This resulted in a non-traditional but well-functioning division of roles. Something Mel also aimed for in all therapy sessions.

Difficult period in the family

In 2023, Mel was diagnosed with bowel cancer, after which a very intensive treatment path followed. Something we as viewers of her successful programs knew nothing about at the time. Only in January 2024 did she publicly reveal, via Instagram, that she had been diagnosed with bowel cancer and had been in treatment for some time. In her message, she also mentioned that she had since entered an intensive treatment path (including chemotherapy). Still, she tried to keep the family as stable as possible and to be together a lot.

Last moments and message

In the days before her death, Mel's health deteriorated significantly. According to her husband Gareth Brisbane, she whispered a message for him and their daughter Maddie in her last moments.

“In her final moments… she ushered me closer and whispered a message for Maddie and me that will sustain me for the rest of my life,” said her husband.

What she exactly said has not been shared, but her last thoughts were entirely focused on her family.

A daughter with lasting significance

To the outside world, Maddie is the daughter of a well-known TV expert. But within her family, she was always the heart of everything.

Mel Schilling may have become known through television, but her most important role took place at home: that of mother. And as I have seen Mel on TV, one of the sweetest, most charming women. So that must be a