Karl Stefanovic reveals COVID-19 heartache ahead of new baby

Karl Stefanovic Alison Langdon report on coronavirus on March 25 2019
Karl revealed his mum is feeling 'isolated' in Queensland ahead of the birth of his new baby girl. Photo: Nine

Karl Stefanovic has revealed the outbreak of COVID-19 and subsequent social distancing measures means his mum will not have the opportunity to meet his new baby for the foreseeable future.

The Today show host shared the bitter news this morning, explaining that as his mum lives in Queensland, she won’t be able to be there for the birth of he and wife Jasmine Yarbrough’s baby girl who is due in just 11 weeks.

Karl explained the distance and inability to visit has left his 70-year-old mother Jenny feeling ‘isolated’, in a heartbreaking reflection on the non-medical toll coronavirus is taking on families.

Karl Stefanovic with mum Jenny
Karl's mum Jenny won't be able to meet her new grandchildren for some time. Photo: Instagram/jennypenny_49

“My mum lives in Cairns. She's just turned 70. She feels so isolated,” he admitted this morning.

“So she can't travel interstate and there's lots going on with the family and everything.”

Karl was likely referring to the recent birth of brother Peter Stefanovic and wife Sylvia Jeffereys’ baby boy in February, and Karl and wife Jasmine’s baby girl due in May.

Sylvia Jeffereys and husband Peter Stefanovic's new baby in February
Sylvia Jeffereys and husband Peter Stefanovic welcomed their new bub in February. Photo: Instagram/peter_stefanovic

He says travel restrictions and state lockdowns mean it will likely be some time before the latest Stefanovic baby gets to meet her grandma, a fact he said was ‘hard for a grandparent’.

“She has lots of new grandbabies,” he said. “The reality is she's not going to be able to meet them.”

Karl and Jasmine officially announced their pregnancy earlier this month in an Instagram post raising awareness for Ovarian Cancer.

Rumours had swirled for months that Jasmine and Karl were expecting their first child, and the couple officially confirmed the news in the adorable photo.

Karl and Ally ‘lose it’ over touching viral video

Karl Stefanovic Ally Langdon cry on Today show over coronavirus
Both Karl and Ally got emotional over a viral choir video. Photo: Nine

Karl and his co-host, Allison Langdon, have been keeping Aussies informed on the ongoing crisis every morning from the Today desk, and yesterday captured the hearts of viewers everywhere when they let their emotions show after a touching viral video from a choir was featured on the show.

A pub choir, now a ‘couch’ choir, released a heartwarming video of individual members performing ‘(They Long to Be) Close to You’ by The Carpenters, and it proved too much for even veteran journalists, as Karl and Ally got teary while listening.

Ally choked up while revealing that the video had previously reduced her to tears, and Karl quickly followed suit, saying the tears were a reflection of the Aussie community spirit on display in the video.

“This is part of what we’re feeling as a society right,” he said. “And us as Australians, when I see that, I just see all the faces, I see everyone going through the same thing.”

The pair took a moment to compose themselves, with Karl saying he ‘just completely lost it’, and thanking the choir for sharing the sweet video.

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