She made headlines last September with the news she had split from husband and Today show host Karl Stefanovic, after 21 years of marriage.
Finally breaking her silence, the 46-year-old told Woman’s Day magazine that she ‘was in a very dark place’ when the relationship fell apart.
Likening the break-up to experiencing the death of a family member, the 46-year-old admitted she will never have an amicable friendship with her ex.
However Cassandra looked to be in a much better place in Sydney’s Balmain on Saturday, enjoying a giggle and puffing away on a cigarette with Channel Seven executive, Geoff Dunn.
Sighting: Karl Stefanovic’s ex wife Cassandra Thorburn, 46, shared a giggle with a Seven Executive, and puffed away on an unhealthy cigarette during an outing in Sydney’s Balmain on Saturday
Cassandra appeared relaxed and at ease as she engaged in conversation with Geoff in Balmain, in Sydney’s Inner West.
The former journalist cut a casually chic figure in a blue silk blouse, teamed with cropped grey skinny-leg jeans.
Cassandra accessorised with nude strappy heels, delicate silver jewels and a structured black leather handbag.
Relaxed: The former journalist appeared at ease as she engaged in conversation with Geoff Dunn
Casually chic: Cassandra sported a blue silk blouse, cropped grey skinny-leg jeans and nude strappy heels
Low-key: Geoff cut a casual figure in a plaid button-up shirt, indigo jeans and brown suede sneakers
Content: Cassandra was seen throwing her head back in laughter
Her short brunette locks were styled into a sleek fashion and her makeup look consisted of a matte complexion, defined brows, lashings of mascara and a matte nude lip.
Sitting on a bench outside of a local eatery, Cassandra chatted easily with Channel Seven employee Geoff, who cut a casual figure.
Geoff sported a plaid button-up shirt, indigo jeans and brown suede sneakers.
The friends chatted and puffed away on a cigarette, with Cassandra at one stage throwing her head back in laughter.
She was later seen using hand gestures to articulate her point.
The pair enjoyed a casual stroll around the area, with Cassandra letting out a wide grin.
Cassandra and Geoff later caught up with a blonde companion who was casually dressed.
It is unknown at this stage as to whether the meeting was for job opportunities at Seven, or just a friendly catch-up.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Cassandra and Geoff for comment.
The sighting comes as Cassandra told Woman’s Day of her high-profile split from Karl: ‘The children still have a father but I don’t have a husband. He really is dead to me and no, we won’t ever be friends again.’
Following their breakup, Cassandra said she was left in shock, falling in a ‘heap’ when the couple’s children, Jackson, 18, Ava, 12, and River, 10, would go to school.
‘There were days in the beginning I would get up, put on a brave face and drop the kids at school, then I’d get to the back door and I would lie in a heap for the rest of the day unable to move – there were very dark days,’ she told the magazine.
‘I was completely gazumped when I realised Karl had gone.’
Cassandra added that she had relied on her friends for support in the wake of the split, but there were still elements of her former life she couldn’t bring herself to face – like the former couple’s marital bed.
‘I slept on the couch in front of the fire for months because I didn’t want to go near the marital bed. I was in a very dark place,’ Cassandra confessed.
Since the split, Karl was quick to move on and started a relationship with 33-year-old shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough.
According to the magazine, Cassandra and Karl’s children are yet to meet their father’s new flame despite the couple living just a suburb away.
Cassandra said it was thinking of her kids’ well being that pushed her to move forward with her life.
Breaking her silence: Speaking to this week’s Woman’s Day magazine, Cassandra said she experienced ‘very dark days’ following her high-profile split
She recalled that her eldest son Jackson took the marriage breakdown particularly hard, refusing to leave their Lindfield family home for their new $8 million Cremorne mansion.
Instead, he slept on the floor of his former bedroom while his mother and siblings set up in the new home, despite all the furniture being already removed from the family’s former abode.
Despite the turmoil of the relationship breakdown, Cass admitted she was now feeling stronger than ever and was prioritising the happiness of her children above all but was open to meet someone new if the opportunity arose.
‘I was completely gazumped when I realised Karl had gone’: Cassandra also admitted she couldn’t face sleeping in her and Karl’s marital bed for months
‘I would lie in a heap for the rest of the day unable to move’: Cassandra broke her silence about how tough it was after Karl left
New flame: Since the split, Karl has started a relationship with shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough, 33 (left)
On sale now: For more, pick up a copy of this week’s edition of Woman’s Day