Australian journalist, columnist and broadcaster Rebecca Wilson has passed away after a long battle with cancer at just 54 years old.
The award-winning Sydney sports journalist and columnist lost her long and very private battle to the “insidious disease” this morning, it was announced in an emotional statement from her husband John Hartigan and her sons Tom and Will.
“Our amazing Bec lost her long battle against breast cancer early today,” they write. “She passed away peacefully in the family home in Sydney while surrounded by her loved ones.
“Courage has always been a significant part of her DNA, no less in her desperate battle against her insidious disease.
“Rebecca kept knowledge of her illness a closely guarded secret. The majority of her friends, colleagues and indeed members of her family were unaware of the extent of her illness. She did so to limit their suffering.
“We are so proud that she was so fearless in her chosen role as a sports journalist. She brushed aside evil trolls, bullies and organised crime figures to prosecute her craft.
“She proved that women had an equally important role in sports journalism as her male counterparts.
“We dearly love and miss our Bec.”
Condolences are flooding in on social media
