Karl Stefanovic shares sweet tribute to celebrate daughter's 17th birthday

He’s known for cracking jokes and taking digs on Today, but on Thursday Karl Stefanovic shared a sweet post on social media celebrating his eldest daughter Willow’s 17th birthday.

The proud father took to Instagram to upload a cute snap of himself with his arm around his daughter, whose real name is Ava but has decided to use her middle name professionally.

“Happy 17 stare off my beauty. Just the love,” Karl captioned the post, which shows the pair giving their best Ben Stiller ‘Blue Steel’ pose with plenty of pink balloons behind them.

A number of the TV host’s famous followers shared their love in the comments, including his wife Jasmine who replied with a series of red heart emojis.

Willow’s mother Cassandra Thorburn, who split from Karl in 2016 after 21 years of marriage, also shared an Instagram post on Thursday celebrating her daughter.

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She posted a photo of the teen holding new P-plates while posing in front of the navy blue Mini Cooper car she used to own.

“Yes she did! Two done, one to go,” she wrote, referring to her two sons Jackson, 22, and River, 15.

“I’ll get 6 months off teaching a learner driver before another 120 hours with the third and final child. Enjoy your newfound freedom my girl. I will miss my little car. What a gem it has been.”

Other posts on Willow and Cassandra’s social media show that the pair recently enjoyed a trip to Melbourne to celebrate both of their birthdays, with Cassandra turning 51 last Wednesday.

Willow’s birthday celebrations come shortly after she announced her plans to embark on a career in the fashion industry.

In her first major photoshoot with Stellar magazine, Willow revealed that while she “didn’t get her fashionista gene” from her famous father, he’s all for her foray into the modelling world.

“He backs me 100 per cent as long as I’m happy,” she said.

Karl added: “She doesn’t go into anything blindly, especially the fashion world. She’s a strong, independent young woman and wants to pursue lots of things in life. We love her spirit.”

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