“Today” host Jill Martin was visibly emotional while celebrating her milestone 50th birthday live on-air after breast cancer battle.
“It’s been a [expletive] of a few years. So happy 50 and fabulous,” she said while cheersing her colleagues on Wednesday, April 8.
Today’s Jill Martin Turns 50
“Today” co-hosts celebrated the longtime lifestyle contributor’s birthday with an on-air toast on Wednesday, April 8.
During the 3rd Hour of “Today,” cupcakes and champagne were brought out in honor of Martin’s big day as co-hosts Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Laura Jarrett sang “Happy Birthday.”
“Before we go, we have a little something for you because there’s a milestone birthday,” Jarrett told Martin, who fought back tears.
“No, no, no!” Melvin rushed in to comfort Martin.
Martin reshared the clip to Instagram, adding, “Love my ‘Today’ family.”
“My job has served as a place to escape the past few years. I’ve been at the show for 23 years, and we have all shared heartbreak, celebrations, laughter, and fun,” she wrote in the comments. “Looking forward to thriving at 50 and doing it with all of you. ❤️🔥😍 ps my real bday is apr 14.”
Jill Martin Battles Breast Cancer
Martin was diagnosed with aggressive stage 2b breast cancer in 2023.
“I’ve been through such hell for the past two years that the only way for me to move forward is to turn pain into purpose,” she told People in October 2025. “And so to have a platform like the Today show to be able to amplify genetic testing, to be able to use my platform to spread awareness about a test that saved my life? I wouldn’t be sitting here today if not.”
She added, “”So every day to me is such a gift. I woke up today and thought, ‘How grateful am I that I get to go to a place that supports a message that I feel like is higher than me and why I was given cancer?’ That is my purpose.”
The beloved host recently underwent surgery due to complications with her treatment.
“Just when you think the fight is over, life reminds you that healing isn’t always linear,” she said during the January 9 broadcast. “It’s preventative and proactive — an emergency only in the sense that if we don’t act now, it could turn into something much bigger. It’s important to say this clearly: my cancer is not back.”
