Karl Stefanovic addresses rumours Jasmine ‘stole’ him from his ex-wife in wide-ranging Stellar interview

Karl Stefanovic has given a rare, wide-ranging interview, where he addressed chatter Jasmine “stole” him from his ex-wife.

Karl Stefanovic has given rare comments about his wife, Jasmine Yarbrough, and the salacious reporting around the breakdown of his marriage to Cassandra Thorburn.

Speaking with Stellar magazine, the Today host, who is expecting his first child with Jasmine next month, discussed the rumours surrounding his relationship after the couple met in late 2016, five months after Stefanovic’s divorce.

“She’s been through so much. She’s been pilloried and accused of things that didn’t happen,” Stefanovic, 45, said.

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Karl Stefanovic for Stellar. Picture: Stephen Chee

“It’s not her fault she fell in love with bugalugs, and the accusations were wrong about her stealing me from Cassandra.

“It’s rubbish and it’s hurtful.

“She’s just a beautiful, sweet woman from Queensland who runs a business and fell in love with me.”

When the backlash failed to settle down, Stefanovic admitted he asked Jasmine if she wanted to go ahead with their relationship.

“There were times when I asked, ‘Do you really want to do this?’” he said.

Jasmine and Karl met in late 2016.

“I don’t think I would be with me. On a good day, I can be charming, but that’s about it.

“My best-looking days are behind me, I could be fitter. Why is someone that beautiful with me?

“Not that I’m complaining.”

With three kids from his previous marriage, Stefanovic, who married Jasmine in December 2018 in Mexico, said he was initially worried about starting a blended family.

“I was worried for Jasmine, and for the kids, that it would be a hurdle, but they’ve been fantastic.

“I hope having a little baby girl in the household is going to be unifying.”

As for Thorburn, who has been fairly vocal about their split in the media, Stefanovic said he didn’t agree with how she has handled it.

Cassandra and Karl at the 2011 Logies.

“She’s earned the right to talk about whatever she wants. That’s just not how I would have done it,” he said.

“Whatever she does in her career and her life, I wish her the very best.”

Read the full interview with Karl Stefanovic in the latest issue of Stellar, available in today’s Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Herald Sun.