Award-winning sports journalist Rebecca Wilson has died in Sydney from breast cancer, aged 54.
She passed away at the family home in the early hours of Friday after a long battle with the disease, her husband, former News Ltd chief executive John Hartigan, and sons Tom and Will said in a joint statement.
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Journalist Rebecca Wilson dies from breast cancer
Award-winning sports reporter Rebecca Wilson has lost her battle with breast cancer at 54.
"Courage has always been a significant part of her DNA, no less in her desperate battle against her insidious disease," the family said.
"Rebecca kept knowledge of her illness a closely guarded secret.
"The majority of her friends, colleagues and indeed members of her family were unaware of the extent of her illness.
"She did so to limit their suffering."
The family said Wilson was a fearless sports journalist who made them proud.
"She brushed aside evil trolls, bullies and organised crime figures to prosecute her craft.
"She proved that women had an equally important role in sports journalism as her male counterparts."
Fairfax Media understands Wilson and Hartigan had recently returned from a long trip to Europe together.
Friends and colleagues have taken to social media to pay tribute:
So sad to hear of passing of my former Beauty & The Beast partner in crime #RebeccaWilson. Thoughts so much with Harto & her treasured boys.
— Lisa Wilkinson (@Lisa_Wilkinson) October 6, 2016
Really sorry to hear Rebecca Wilson from @dailytelegraph has died. She was a passionate &gutsy; reporter who loved sport. She will be missed.
— Kate McClymont (@Kate_McClymont) October 6, 2016
Vale Rebecca Wilson, great sports columnist, devoted mother, wife and friend. Shocking news of her passing, to breast cancer.
— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) October 6, 2016
All of us @SkyNewsAust devastated at loss of Rebecca Wilson. Colleague & loved friend. John, Tom, Will & Jim our thoughts with you & family
— Angelos Frangopoulos (@frangopoulos) October 6, 2016
Vale Rebecca Wilson. Funny & generous, made me feel so welcome on The Fat sports shows. My thoughts are with her family and friends.
— Julia Zemiro (@julia_zemiro) October 6, 2016
So sad. Beautiful, brilliant, brave Rebecca, rest in peace. Thoughts and prayers to Harto, Tom and Will https://t.co/sdCa8BFv8p
— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) October 6, 2016
Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Rebecca Wilson. So striking and strong & absolute trail blazer. Condolences to her family
— Georgie Gardner (@GeorgieG) October 6, 2016
So terribly sad to hear of Rebecca Wilson's passing. Funny, gutsy, one of a kind, unforgettable woman. Condolences to John and her boys.
— Juanita Phillips (@Juanita_Phillip) October 6, 2016
Wilson was an award-winning sports reporter for The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph newspapers, and was also a regular panellist on SportsNight with James Bracey on Sky News.
She also had a stint on radio as co-host on the Vega 95.3 breakfast show with Tony Squires and Mikey Robins.
She came from a media family, as the daughter of former News Ltd foreign correspondent Bruce Wilson and the sister of sports reporter Jim Wilson.
AAP with Fairfax Media