“It’s been a hell of a few years so happy 50 and fabulous,” the contributor said, toasting with her colleagues.

Today’s Jill Martin becomes emotional celebrating 50th birthday following breast cancer diagnosis

"It's been a hell of a few years so happy 50 and fabulous," the contributor said, toasting with her colleagues.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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April 8, 2026 2:40 p.m. ET

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Al Roker, Laura Jarrett, Jill Martin, and Craig Melvin on 'Today'. Credit:

- Jill Martin became emotional celebrating her 50th birthday with her *Today* show colleagues after being diagnosed with breast cancer three years prior.

- The contributor underwent several surgeries including a double mastectomy.

- “Sometimes it feels like it never really ends. And still — I’m grateful," she said on *Today* in January. "Grateful for early action, for great doctors, and for the chance to keep moving forward.”

Jill Martin is celebrating a milestone birthday.

The *Today *show contributor became emotional during the Wednesday, April 8 broadcast's third hour when Craig Melvin, Laura Jarrett, and Al Roker brought out champagne and cupcakes to toast Martin. Martin was diagnosed with aggressive stage 2b breast cancer in 2023, and was choked up by her colleagues' gesture.

"Before we go, we have a little something for you because there’s a milestone birthday,” Jarrett said as champagne flutes and cupcakes arranged in the number "50" were rolled out. Martin burst into tears as Melvin rushed to her side.

“Aww, honey, we’re so happy for you," Jarrett told Martin as she wiped her face. “Thank you, it’s been a hell of a few years,” Martin said. “So happy 50 and fabulous. Love you guys.”

Al Roker, Laura Jarrett, Jill Martin, and Craig Melvin on 'Today'.

Martin revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2023. She credited genetic testing with helping her get treatment sooner than later. She and her father both tested positive for mutations to the BRCA2 gene and further tests revealed that Martin was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Additionally, Martin's family medical history with the illness included her grandmother dying from breast cancer, and her mother undergoing a double mastectomy.

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"If I had known I was BRCA positive, I would have gotten screened more regularly, with an MRI alternating with my mammograms. What I didn't know before this experience was that an MRI can pick up cancers that mammograms miss," Martin wrote in a piece for *Today*'s website in July 2023, encouraging others to get tested.

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"I am telling this story now because I couldn't go through months of operations, and start to recover both physically and mentally, without shouting from the rooftops telling everyone to check with their doctors to see if genetic testing is appropriate," she added in part.

"By the time I recover from my first surgery, I hope that many of you will know your results and can make proactive decisions with your doctors, families, and loved ones. That is the silver lining to this mess for me. It is what is keeping me going and giving me strength," she said.

Cupcakes and champagne.

Martin underwent a double mastectomy and stepped off the air in 2023 for several months while receiving treatment. She also had 16 lymph nodes removed and underwent four months of chemotherapy. She also underwent reconstructive surgery with three weeks of radiation, and had preventative procedures to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes, per PEOPLE.

Most recently, in January, Martin underwent her eighth surgery. “Sometimes it feels like it never really ends. And still — I’m grateful," she said on *Today* at the time. "Grateful for early action, for great doctors, and for the chance to keep moving forward.”

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