Today's Karl Stefanovic breaks down in tears live on-air: 'My heart'

Today host Karl Stefanovic became emotional live on-air on Friday morning as he shared a heartwarming message for his eldest daughter Ava Willow.

While chatting with co-host Allison Langdon about the difficulties some school students are currently facing amidst Victoria’s floods crisis, the 48-year-old gave a shout-out to Ava who is going through her final exams.

“I’m going to do an embarrassing dad thing. My daughter Ava is in year 12 and she’s almost finished her HSC,” he said as he began to choke up.

“I just want to say how proud I am of her because she’s really done incredibly well.

“As a dad watching her work, do all the work that she’s done and the way she’s dealt with the pressures and the stress of year 12, it makes my heart sing. I love you.”

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Karl let out a heavy sigh of relief after delivering the touching tribute and blinked his eyes to fight back tears.

“That was beautiful by the way,” Allison told Karl as she got up from her seat to pat him on the shoulder.

“Oh jeez,” he said, trying to regain his composure before the next segment. “Okay, I’m ready to go.”

‘Just the love’

Karl, who shares three children with his ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn and another daughter with his wife Jasmine, shared a sweet post on social media earlier this year celebrating Ava’s 17th birthday.

The proud father took to Instagram to upload a cute snap of himself with his arm around his daughter while they both showed off their best Ben Stiller ‘Blue Steel’ pose.

“Happy 17 stare off my beauty. Just the love,” he wrote in the caption.

Ava, who professionally goes by her middle name Willow, announced plans in 2021 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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