The marriage breakdowns of three past or present reporters from the same current affairs program have been attributed to the ’60 Minutes curse’.
On Monday, news of 60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown’s separation from husband John McAvoy – kept secret for months – was revealed.
It followed the mid-September shock that Today co-host Karl Stefanovic and wife Cassandra Thorburn had split after 21 years of marriage.
60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown and her television executive husband John McAvoy have reportedly split after 16 years
Mr Usher, a former 60 Minutes reporter, is believed to have separated from his wife, thought to be Anna Usher
‘You could say it’s the 60 Minutes curse. The same thing happened to Michael Usher’s marriage. In the end, the tyranny of distance becomes too much,’ a source told Woman’s Day.
‘The pressure of being on the road and working away from home affects marriages.
‘It’s hard to keep starting over every time you get back from an extended overseas assignment.’
Mr Usher, a former 60 Minutes reporter, is believed to have separated from his wife.
They are thought to have had three children together.
Former 60 Minutes reporter Michael Usher
Tara Brown and John McAvoy are pictured here with friend Tracy Griffiths
60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown pictured returning from Lebanon where she was jailed following a botched child abduction earlier in 2016
Ms Brown’s 16-year marriage ended before she was jailed in Lebanon after a botched child abduction, according to Woman’s Day.
The publication also reported that while Mr McAvoy – a television executive – was at meetings between Nine management and family members, he did not greet Brown at the airport upon her return.
At the time, he said he was not there because he was avoiding media attention, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Mr McAvoy also revealed how he had to hide his wife’s kidnapping from their children Jack, 7, and Tom, 5.
Karl Stefanovic and his wife Cassandra Thorburn arrive on the red carpet ahead of the 2011 Logie Awards
Stefanovic fuelled speculation by appearing on television without his wedding band
After Karl Stefanovic – who has previously been a contributing reporter for 60 Minutes – and Cassandra Thorburn’s split was revealed, it was reported he went to live with James Packer and then with brother Tom, who also works for Channel Nine.
Although by late September the morning show host hadn’t yet officially comment on the reports, he did fuel speculation by appearing on television without his wedding band.
The Gold Logie-winner met journalist Cassandra ‘at a Melrose Place party’ 20 years ago.
Speaking of their first encounter, he previously told The Age: ‘She told me I looked preppy.’
‘She said, ‘I suppose that’s how you got your job in television, because of your pretty-boy looks”.’
Karl recently claimed Cassandra quit her high-flying job at the ABC to look after the couple’s children.
The couple have three children – Jackson, 16, Ava, 11, and 10-year-old River.
Karl Stefanovic and Cassandra Thorburn arrive at Richard Wilkins 25 Year Anniversary Fundraiser For Down Syndrome at Fox Studio in 2012