Jill Martin's Personal Life — Ending Her Engagement to Erik Brooks, and Other Facts

Jill Martin is an Emmy Award-winning television personality and fashion expert. Here are some facts about her and how her relationship with Erik Brooks ended.

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, Jill Martin and Erik Brooks have ended their engagement, she told Page Six in May 2020. They dated for nearly two years before getting engaged in 2019.

Following their split, Martin has continued to move forward. She told the news outlet, "Any dramatic change like that is going to be a major shift, but it's how you pivot, and it's how you find silver linings."

EFFECT OF PANDEMIC

According to a statement obtained by People, the "Today" show contributor disclosed that the COVID-19 pandemic had taken a significant toll on the couple's long-distance relationship.

Brooks, who lives in Boston with his children, and Martin, who lives in New York, struggled to maintain the kind of relationship that was essential to both of them because of their distance, she said. The TV personality added:

"He is an amazing man, and I wish him nothing but the best."

THE PROPOSAL

It was on "Today" when Martin first confirmed their engagement. According to Martin, Brooks, a managing partner at a private equity firm, proposed during a trip to the Hamptons in May of 2019.

Immediately following the proposal, the couple enjoyed a private moment together before Martin's family and closest friends surprised her. During that time, she shared on social media how delighted she was.

Martin said watching her coworker Hoda Kotb adopt two children has inspired her.

STRUGGLE IN BECOMING A STEPMOTHER

In July 2019, Martin discussed on "3rd Hour of Today" her hurdles in taking on the role of stepmom to Brooks' three kids. Martin recalled a moment his daughter Bella resented to have her along for their vacation.

"I was so upset, I was hysterical crying," she explained. "And Erik said to her, 'How could you do this?' He said, 'Don't you want me to be happy?' And she said, 'Don't you want me to be happy?'"

Nevertheless, Martin said the relationship between her and Bella has since improved. According to her, they're now the best of friends and have many conversations about everything. She called Bella a "cool" girl.

FIRST MEETING

A romance blossomed between Martin and Brooks when they met on an online dating website in 2017. Martin wrote an essay for "Today" in February 2019 in which she called Brooks "the love of my life."

Martin said her mother nudged her into trying online dating. After going on failed dates after failed dates, Brooks finally caught her attention. Her description of him was "kind," "honest," and funny."

JILL MARTIN'S BOYFRIEND

In February 2014, Martin showed off her body in a purple string bikini as she spent time with her then-boyfriend on Miami Beach. In the presence of her handsome man, the star appeared joyful and content.

As the blonde took a dip in the crystalline blue waters, she giggled. She even took a ride on her boyfriend's shoulders. Afterward, Martin took a break and read a book as she lounged on the towel.

As a result of Dylan Dreyer's candid statements about her miscarriage and subsequent infertility, Martin had opened up for the first time about freezing her eggs five years ago, during April 2019's "3rd Hour of Today."

Writing candidly for today.com the next day, Martin explained the egg-freezing process and why she decided to share such an intimate part of her life with the world. The television personality shared:

"I wasn't in a relationship of consequence at the time and, to be honest, wasn't really ready to have a baby."

Meanwhile, Martin, who started out as an assistant at "The Maury Povich Show," has resumed her dating life following her breakup with Brooks. In November 2020, she told Page Six that she had an hour-long Zoom date.

As someone who has been hoping to have her own family one day, Martin said watching her coworker Hoda Kotb adopt two children has inspired her. She also said that she just cannot let go of love and can't wait to see what's next.