Magda Szubanski has shared that although her cancer is incurable and will return she “feels alive” in her first interview since her diagnosis rocked Australia.
The courageous Australian comedy icon spoke to 60 Minutes for the first time since she received her diagnosis of rare stage four mantle cell lymphoma in May 2025. In February, Magda announced she was in remission.
“The great news is I’m in deep remission from my cancer,” Magda explained on 60 Minutes.
“It means that you’re not cured, but it’s at bay.
“So, it’s what’s called an incurable relapse in cancer. It’s almost sure that it will come back. And it’s a question of when, and then how bad.
“The median survival rate is eight and a half years. So, I could go less or I could go more,” Magda explained, joking that she would “pitch for more”.
Magda recalled that in 2024 she “just felt so unwell,” experiencing extreme fatigue and debilitating pain.
“It was like, dude, there’s something wrong here,” she said.
“I felt like my bones were splitting… That’s because my bone marrow was inflamed and was expanding.”
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‘It’s a different state of consciousness’
A maelstrom of tests ultimately confirmed the worst. Magda underwent round after round of “pretty extreme” chemotherapy to target the cancer in her lymph nodes, bone marrow and spleen.
“It completely annihilates your immune system. It pretty much annihilates everything,” she said.
“It’s like a multi-car pileup inside your body.
“I’m not being a Pollyanna about this because I think that’s not fair to people to do that. It was fricking hard. But when I say it was doable, it was.”
Image: 60 Minutes/NineMagda said now, she “feels alive” and her results put her “in good stead, but it can change.”
“All of us live with Damocles’ sword hanging over our heads,” she said.
“But for those of us who it hangs by only a couple of strands, it’s a very different feeling. It is just a different state of consciousness. It’s a different awareness of death. It’s not abstract.”
Image: 60 Minutes/NineMagda Szubanski has written a new memoir
During her cancer treatment, Magda Szubanski wrote her second memoir, I Can’t Tell You But I Will, which chronicles her life “from daughter to orphan, and comedian to campaigner”. The book is out on September 29.
Speaking on 60 Minutes, Magda disclosed for the first time harrowing experiences of sexual abuse as a child, and the impacts she now recognises that trauma had on her life.
“I actually feel relieved of a burden because to say it out loud, you can just feel this change of, like, ‘Wow, it’s lost its power over me. That shame has lost its power over me,'” she said.
Magda said her cancer has given her the drive to speak openly about her life and her health to help others.
“There’s a part of me that thinks, if there’s anything that I know that’s gonna help someone else, I don’t know how long I’ve got,” she said.
“I’m gonna bloody share it. I’m gonna put it out there.”
Image: Seven‘Thank you Australia’
In 2025, Magda was inducted into the Logie Awards Hall of Fame at that year’s ceremony, recognising her four-decade contribution to Australian TV.
On 60 Minutes, Magda teared up as she discussed her undisputed “icon” status and said she’s “really felt that love” from the entire country.
“How lucky am I that [my] career is to make myself, my friends and other people laugh?” Magda said.
“I just feel blessed with the relationship I have with the Australian public.”
Magda said Robert Irwin contacted her and asked her if she would present with him on the stage at the 2026 Logies in August.
Magda agreed, on the condition she could do the bit as Sharon Strzlecki, fresh from a job at Australia Zoo.
Image: Seven“That sort of love that I’ve felt from my industry but also the public has really been incredible,” Magda told 60 Minutes.
“It’s been quite overwhelming and very, very moving. I’m really extremely grateful for it. I think it really made a difference.
“Thank you, Australia. I’ve really appreciated it.”
We love you, Magda.
If this story has brought up issues for you, help is available from QLife on 1800 184 527 or online at QLife.org.au, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.
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