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Jill Martin celebrated her 50th birthday on the Today show with cupcakes and champagne on April 8
The surprise caused Martin to burst into tears in an emotional response
Martin reflected on her stage 2b breast cancer diagnosis and previously credited genetic testing for saving her life
Jill Martin was surprised in more ways than one on the Today show on Wednesday, April 8.
The show’s longtime lifestyle contributor was surprised after doing a shopping segment during the 3rd Hour of Today with cupcakes and champagne in honor of her milestone 50th birthday.
“Before we go, we have a little something for you because there’s a milestone birthday,” Saturday Today co-anchor Laura Jarrett told Martin.
As the treats came out, Martin took a glass of champagne before breaking down in tears, dropping her head and sobbing.
Jill Martin’s 50th birthday celebration on the ‘Today’ show on April 8
Credit: NBC
Co-anchor Craig Melvin quickly rushed to her side, saying, “No, no, no!”
Jarrett added, “Aww, honey, we’re so happy for you.”
Martin acknowledged her unexpected emotions, making a nod to her aggressive stage 2b breast cancer diagnosis in 2023 and her ongoing journey with the disease.
“Thank you, it’s been a hell of a few years,” Martin said through tears. “So happy 50 and fabulous. Love you guys.”
Jill Martin (centre right) breaks down crying on the ‘3rd Hour of Today’ on April 8
Credit: NBC
Martin then took a large gulp of her champagne, prompting Melvin’s teasing, “Going to town on that champagne, aren’t ya? Good God!”
However, the correspondent wasn’t deterred, replying, “I’ve had quite a few years!”
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Jill Martin at a gala in New York City in November 2025
Credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty
Following her diagnosis, Martin previously credited a genetic test with saving her life. The test revealed that she had inherited the BRCA2 mutation — not from her mother, who is a breast cancer survivor herself, but from her father’s side of the family
“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,” Martin 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.”
Martin added at the time, “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.”
In January, Martin shared that she underwent another emergency surgery — her eighth — amid treatment complications.
“Just when you think the fight is over, life reminds you that healing isn’t always linear,” Martin shared on the Today show at the time.
“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,” Martin explained. “It’s important to say this clearly: my cancer is not back.”
Read the original article on People