Lately, award-winning journalist Lisa Wilkinson has been making news rather than reporting on it. Sensationally quitting Nine’s Today in October after being denied pay parity with co-host Karl Stefanovic, the veteran editor, broadcaster and social commentator, 58, makes no apologies for knowing her worth. “There were lots of reasons why it was time to make a move, and that was part of it,” she said. “I was very happy that it reignited the conversation, because the gender pay gap is real.”

But joining Ten’s The Project for a rumoured $2.3 million put Wilkinson squarely in the spotlight. Reports of a feud with co-host Carrie Bickmore— comprehensively rubbished by both—amped up the pressure in a tough ratings environment.

Now she’s revelling in her new role—and sleep-ins after 10 years of breakfast TV—buoyed by support from her husband of 25 years, bestselling author and former Wallabies great Peter FitzSimons, 56, and their children, Jake, 24, Louis, 22, and Billi, 20. But she tearfully admits the loss of mother Beryl, who died in March aged 89, has led her to re-evaluate life. “It’s a reminder that you only get a certain number of days on this earth,” Wilkinson tells WHO’s Jenny Brown, opening up about family, feminism and finding balance. “Make each day count.”

How are women changing Australian television?