She passed away at the family home in the early hours of Friday after a long battle with the disease, her husband former News Corp Australia CEO John Hartigan and sons Tom and Will said in a joint statement.

“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.”

Sports journalist Rebecca Wilson, who has died from breast cancer. Photo: Supplied via AAP

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.”

-AAP