Gareth Brisbane, the husband of late Married at First Sight star Mel Schilling, has shared a heart-wrenching tribute on what would have been their eighth wedding anniversary. Schilling passed away on March 24, 2026, at age 54 after a public battle with colon cancer that spread to her brain.
A Love Story Remembered
The couple married in a destination wedding in Bali in July 2018 and held an intimate second ceremony on Christmas Eve 2020. They have an 11-year-old daughter, Madison. On the anniversary, Brisbane posted a photo of their wedding day kiss, writing: "Ah my one. Hard to reconcile that the anniversary of the happiest day of my life could become one of the saddest." He added, "We didn't quite make 8 years married or 15 years together but what a love and what a life we had!"
Fans Respond with Support
Followers expressed heartbreak and admiration, with one commenting, "You are doing her proud." Another fan revealed that after hearing of Schilling's death, they discovered a 5cm tumour in their bowel, crediting her story for saving their life.
Schilling's Final Days
Schilling died days after telling fans her "light was fading" and that she did not know how long she had left. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023 after severe stomach pain was initially misdiagnosed as constipation. She underwent surgery and 16 rounds of chemotherapy while continuing to film MAFS.
In a statement announcing her death, Brisbane said: "Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love." He praised her bravery, noting she never complained and continued filming during treatment. In her final moments, she whispered a message for him and Maddie, a gesture he said "summed up our wee Melsie perfectly."
Legacy of Resilience
Brisbane concluded: "To most of you, she was Mel Schilling - matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate."
