Jill Martin opens up about going through divorce and cancer in the same year
Jill Martin says she is “operating with generosity and kindness and trying my best” amid a challenging time in her life.
The TODAY contributor opened up about going through breast cancer treatment and getting a divorce in Wednesday’s episode of the “Making Space with Hoda Kotb” podcast.
“People are like, ‘How are you?’ I’m like, ‘Not great. I had cancer and I got divorced in a year,’” she told Hoda, but said she is “thriving under the circumstances.”
Martin revealed her stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis on TODAY in July 2023. Since then, she has opened up about her treatment journey, which included undergoing a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, reconstructive surgery, as well as a preventative surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes.
In the midst of this, she and her husband, Erik Brooks, also parted ways.
“I had a beautiful love affair, but like some stories, unfortunately, have beginning, middle, and end,” she said. “And we both put the period on it this time. So, if everything were great, we would be married. So obviously there were issues.”
She added that she and Brooks “are holding different things that are important to each of us, and they’re not right or wrong.”
Martin is now considered cancer-free, and she is now taking two oral chemotherapy pills to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. She told Hoda these pills have some difficult side effects, including making her joints hurt.
While it’s been a journey to adjust to some new physical realities, Martin says she is grateful for the person she is now.
“I loved who I was before, but I’m super into this girl,” she said.
She added that some people have been trying to set her up on dates, and she says she has a clear understanding of what she needs in a partner.
“If someone can’t handle the cancer part of it or the body part of it, that’s not my guy,” she said. “I have so much to offer now. I know right from wrong.”
Martin also said that after experiencing what she’s been through over the past year or so, nothing scares her anymore.
“I have disco balls all over the house. Like a million broken parts somehow beautifully put back together,” she said. “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.’”
Martin noted that going through the frightening experience of cancer helped her appreciate life in a new way.
“It’s amazing to think that something that was so scary can turn your life around for silver linings,” she said. “I think I’m still the luckiest person in the world. … I was put on this earth to educate and advocate for other families.”
