Jock Zonfrillo’s widow makes announcement

Supplied Editorial Caption: Jock Zonfrillo and wife Lauren Fried. Picture: @zonfrillo
Former Australia MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo and his wife Lauren. Picture: @zonfrillo

The heartbroken widow of MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo has written a new book about grief following the death of her husband.

The father of four was found dead in a Carlton hotel room near Melbourne on April 30, 2023.

He was 46 at the time of his death.

His wife Lauren Zonfrillo has shared her experience of traumatic loss in a book titled Till Death Do us Part to help others find comfort through their own pain and suffering.

Lauren Zonfrillo, the widow of MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo, has written a book about grief following the death of her husband. Picture: Instagram
Lauren Zonfrillo, the widow of MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo, has written a book about grief following the death of her husband. Picture: Instagram

Ms Zonfrillo said it had been hard for her to explain how she went from “absolute catastrophe” to the new version of her life with two young children.

She said there were times when she felt so overwhelmed and lonely she found it hard to change her clothes or wash her hair.

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“Despite it all (our life) is quite bright and optimistic,” she said.

“So I’ve written my book, which is my journey through grief, it was not at all cathartic.”

Jock and Lauren Zonfrillo pictured on their wedding day. Picture: Instagram
Jock and Lauren Zonfrillo pictured on their wedding day. Picture: Instagram

Ms Zonfrillo said she re-read journals from “very dark and broken places” and undid progress she had made through the process of writing. her book.

“But it did make me think deeper about some really complex parts of grief,” she said.

In a video posted to social media, Ms Zonfrillo explained how she experienced grief amnesia following her husband’s death, which was a physical response to the trauma she felt that impacted her memory, mind and body.

She said unrelenting firsts kept coming in waves and she felt a need to live a life of intention and with urgency.

“I tried as many roads away from the impact zone as I could, and I tried them as quickly as possible,” she said.

Lauren Zonfrillo, the widow of Australia MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo, said there were times after her husband’s death when she felt so overwhelmed and lonely. Picture: Instagram
Lauren Zonfrillo, the widow of Australia MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo, said there were times after her husband’s death when she felt so overwhelmed and lonely. Picture: Instagram

“I had our three and five year olds that needed normal levels of parenting, which at that age is quite a lot, but they also needed extra care and nurturing as they learned to live with grief in their life.”

She said despite the hardships through their journey she built a bigger life for her and her children which created a space of happiness.

The book will be available from stores in May next year.