“Still Here. Still Smiling.” — Magda Szubanski Breaks Silence, Shuts Down Health Rumors With Powerful Recovery Message

In a powerful and characteristically heartfelt message that has resonated across Australia, beloved comedian, actor, and advocate Magda Szubanski has firmly addressed the wave of distressing online rumors and hoax posts claiming she had passed away. On February 10, 2026, Szubanski — who has been battling stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma since her diagnosis was publicly shared in May 2025 — took to social media to reassure fans: “Still here. Still smiling. And I’m not going anywhere.”

The statement came amid a cruel death hoax that spread rapidly in early February 2026, with fabricated tributes circulating on platforms claiming “Magda Szubanski 1961–2026” and announcing her “peaceful passing.” The fake posts, which included AI-generated images and scripted family statements, caused widespread alarm and heartbreak among her millions of followers before being debunked. Szubanski, ever the fighter with her trademark humor intact, used the moment not only to quash the misinformation but to offer an honest, hopeful update on her ongoing cancer journey.

“I’m still here, lovelies,” she wrote in an Instagram post that quickly garnered hundreds of thousands of likes and supportive comments. “The rumors are nonsense — cruel nonsense. I’m fighting every day, and while it’s tough, I’m making progress step by step. My current health condition is stable but challenging. The treatment continues to knock me around, but I’m responding, I’m surrounded by love, and I’m not giving up. I cannot do it alone — your messages, your thoughts, your silly memes — they keep me going. Thank you for holding space for me.”

A Diagnosis That Shook a Nation

Szubanski first revealed her stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma diagnosis on May 29, 2025, in a candid Instagram video. The rare, aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma — which affects the lymphatic system and can spread quickly — was discovered incidentally during a routine breast screening that showed swollen lymph nodes. “I’ve been feeling pretty ratshit for ages,” she admitted in the post, urging followers to “get tested and listen to your body.”

She immediately began the Nordic protocol, a rigorous multi-phase chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimen designed to target and shrink tumors in mantle cell lymphoma patients. Szubanski described the treatment as “rough” and “full-on,” with side effects including severe fatigue, immune suppression, hair loss (she shaved her head in advance), and vulnerability to infection. Despite the challenges, she emphasized hope: “I’m lucky to be getting absolutely world-class care here in Melbourne. My medical team is brilliant, and I’ve never felt more held by the people around me.”

Throughout late 2025, Szubanski shared occasional glimpses of her journey — from hospital bed videos thanking fans for messages that “cheered her up” to lighthearted posts about “chemo couture” and bursts of energy from supporter love. Friends like singer David Campbell provided emotional updates, noting her resilience and how the outpouring of affection gave her strength during difficult cycles.

The Cruel Hoax and Its Impact

The February 2026 death hoax was not the first exploitation Szubanski has faced during her illness. In January 2026, she publicly warned fans about fake fundraisers and impersonation scams soliciting donations in her name. “Please don’t think it’s me,” she wrote firmly. “If it’s asking for money, it’s a scam. The real me is right here.”

The latest hoax, however, crossed into deeply painful territory. Posts falsely claimed her family had announced her death, complete with emotional tributes and hashtags like #RIPMagda. Fans flooded her accounts with grief-stricken messages before allies and media outlets debunked the claims. Daily Mail and other outlets reported on the incident, highlighting how the misinformation spread rapidly and caused unnecessary anguish.

Szubanski’s response was measured yet direct. She acknowledged the hurt the hoax caused not just to her but to loved ones and fans who had already been worrying about her health. “It’s confronting enough dealing with the real thing,” she added in a follow-up story. “These lies make it harder for everyone. But they won’t win. I’m still smiling because of you all.”

A Life of Laughter, Advocacy, and Resilience

Magda Szubanski’s career spans decades as one of Australia’s most iconic entertainers. Born in Liverpool, England, in 1961 to a Polish WWII resistance fighter father and a Scottish-Irish mother, she moved to Melbourne at age four. Her breakthrough came with Fast Forward in the late 1980s, where her sharp impressions and characters made her a household name.

She achieved cult status as Sharon Strzelecki in Kath & Kim — the awkward, loyal, tinnie-cracking netball fan whose catchphrases and heart remain etched in Australian comedy. International audiences know her as Esme Hoggett from the Babe films. She has authored the award-winning memoir Reckoning (2015), exploring her father’s wartime past and her own journey, and has been a tireless voice for LGBT rights, playing a pivotal role in Australia’s 2017 same-sex marriage campaign.

Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2016 for her contributions to entertainment and advocacy, Szubanski was inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame in 2025 — a moment she celebrated via video link amid treatment.

The Road Ahead: Fighting, Cherishing, and Leaning on Support

In her latest message, Szubanski emphasized cherishing the present. “Every day is a gift,” she wrote. “I’m recovering day by day — some days are harder, but I’m here, I’m grateful, and I’m surrounded by incredible people. My condition is still serious — the lymphoma is aggressive, the treatment is intense — but scans and markers show we’re pushing back. I’m not out of the woods, but I’m walking through them with you all beside me.”

She reiterated a plea for kindness online: “No more hoaxes, no more scams. Just love. That’s what gets me through.”

The response from fans, celebrities, and the public has been overwhelming. Messages of support poured in from across Australia and beyond, with many sharing how Szubanski’s humor and honesty have inspired them through their own struggles. Friends continue to amplify her updates, reminding everyone that while the battle is hers, the love is collective.

As Magda Szubanski continues her treatment in Melbourne, her words stand as a testament to resilience: “Still here. Still smiling. And I’m not going anywhere.” In an era of misinformation, her voice — honest, humorous, and unbowed — cuts through the noise, reminding us all of the power of truth, community, and hope.