Jill Martin Has a Super Encouraging Update on Her Cancer Battle & Dating Post-Divorce
The TODAY contributor is looking forward to a fantastic 2025!
2024 wasn't the easiest year for frequent TODAY contributor Jill Martin.
Between receiving treatment for breast cancer and navigating a split from her husband, some may have thrown in the towel — but not Martin. During an October appearance on Hoda Kotb’s podcast, Making Space with Hoda Kotb, she opened up about her ordeal.
"People are like, 'How are you?'" she explained. "I’m like, 'Not great. I had cancer and I got divorced in a year.'"
Her journey hasn't been easy. Since Martin revealed her cancer diagnosis in July 2023, she's undergone a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, reconstructive surgery, and a preventative procedure to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes. All were successes.
But her divorce from her husband, Erik Brooks, threw her for a major loop, adding another layer of stress to her life.
"I had a beautiful love affair, but like some stories, unfortunately, have beginning, middle, and end," Martin told Kotb. "And we both put the period on it this time. So, if everything were great, we would be married. So obviously there were issues."
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Ultimately, she explained that their pairing wasn't a good match, and said the two "are holding different things that are important to each of us, and they're not right or wrong."
Despite the major unexpected life events, Martin confessed to Kotb that she was stronger than ever — something every TODAY viewer will be happy to hear!
"I have disco balls all over the house — like a million broken parts somehow beautifully put back together," she said proudly. "I am a construction site. I've had six surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, two pills … I could get through that. I mean, honestly, nothing scares me. Someone’s like, 'Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.' I'm like, 'It would take a lot more than that.'"
How is Jill Martin doing in 2025?
Martin is officially cancer-free in 2025. And based on a recent appearance on the Be the Sun, Not the Salt podcast, Martin is doing fantastic these days, although she still grapples with the unfortunate hand she has been dealt. The star revealed that she’s learned a lot about herself through her cancer journey, but she’s learned an important lesson about opposing feelings along the way.
"You can hold opposing feelings at the same time — and it happens all the time, and that's okay," she explained to host Connie Fontaine.
The 48-year-old has shown that she will not be defeated in any aspect of life. In fact, she's thriving.
During her March 10 appearance on TODAY, Martin revealed that she has jumped back into the dating world! She's found that FaceTime first dates are perfect for determining chemistry for a potential partner, and honestly, that's such a good idea. Martin may have found the secret to dating success in 2025!
