After an extended period away from public view, veteran broadcaster Lisa Wilkinson has broken her silence in a revealing new interview. The 66-year-old media personality speaks candidly about her return to public life, the significant emotional impact of sustained media scrutiny, and the unexpected passion project that provided her with a crucial lifeline during challenging times.
A Welcome Distraction from Legal Battles
Wilkinson describes feeling "probably a combination of slightly nervous and incredibly excited" about sharing what she calls "an extraordinary story" in this week's Stellar magazine. That story centers on her new book, The Titanic Story Of Evelyn, which she acknowledges arrived at precisely the right moment in her life.
"Spending a lot of time with lawyers, really, which I wouldn't suggest is a great way to live your life," Wilkinson states with refreshing honesty. She reveals the book project emerged during the peak of her court-related difficulties, providing a much-needed creative outlet.
"This project came right in the middle of all of the court drama, and it was just an idea I came up with one day that made me lean in," she explains. "I wasn't even looking for a project. I was just trying to get through every day."
Finding Perspective Through Historical Tragedy
The book focuses on Evelyn Marsden, the only Australian-born survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster that claimed over 1,500 lives. Wilkinson found deep personal resonance with Marsden's story, which quickly evolved beyond mere historical research into something profoundly meaningful.
"It was the most incredibly wonderful distraction to be able to delve into someone else's life – not my own – because I was everywhere in the press," Wilkinson admits. "I was sick of me. I can't imagine how the rest of the country felt."
She draws a powerful parallel between Marsden's experience and her own challenges: "I felt like that was all I was doing every single day – rowing against a tide." This connection inspired her to dedicate the book to "every woman, like Evelyn, who has ever rowed against the tide."
Immersing herself in the Titanic tragedy provided Wilkinson with valuable perspective on her personal difficulties. "When you deal with tragedy on that level, it puts into perspective any troubles I might have been having," she reflects.
Reflecting on the Brittany Higgins Interview
The past few years have presented significant challenges for Wilkinson, particularly following her 2021 interview with Brittany Higgins on The Project. The broadcast sparked intense public debate and placed Wilkinson at the center of national controversy.
Despite the subsequent difficulties, Wilkinson maintains she has never regretted telling Higgins' story. "I don't think I ever had that thought, but I certainly had some very rough days," she acknowledges. "So every time it was, 'I'm OK, I'm not on the Titanic, not fighting to save my life. I'm just hoping to defend some work of mine.'"
Looking back on that period, Wilkinson identifies one particular outcome that brings her pride: "So when I look back on having done that story, that's probably the thing of which I'm most proud."
Regarding Higgins herself, Wilkinson offers simple yet heartfelt words: "I really wish Brittany all strength because to go through what she's had to go through repeatedly… She keeps standing up... I have nothing but admiration for her."
Addressing Her Departure from The Project
Wilkinson also addresses her sudden exit from The Project in 2022, making it unequivocally clear that the decision was not hers. "No, not at all. Channel 10 took me off air. It was their decision, not mine," she states definitively.
The circumstances surrounding her departure added another layer of difficulty, as Wilkinson was compelled to announce her exit during a live broadcast. "I was given no choice," she reveals. "Sometimes in life when you're given no choice, you just steel yourself. You do it, you keep moving forward... that's what I had to do."
Throughout the interview, Wilkinson presents as someone who has navigated significant professional and personal challenges while finding unexpected solace in historical research. Her journey from intense public scrutiny to creative renewal through her Titanic book project offers a compelling narrative of resilience and reinvention.
