Jill Smokler, Founder of Scary Mommy, Passes Away at 48
WHO:
TODAY.com - Smokler's family described her as "funny, fearless, generous, and entirely herself."
TODAY.com - Smokler's brother, Matt Epstein, stated, “More than anything she built, Jill was proudest of her three children, Lily, Ben, and Evan.”
US Magazine - Jill Smokler, founder of Scary Mommy, has died at age 48.
TODAY.com - Smokler's brother, Matt Epstein, confirmed her passing and shared a family statement.
WHAT:
TODAY.com - The family stated that Jill Smokler "gave millions of women permission to stop pretending and feel a little less alone."
TODAY.com - Smokler's blog was noted for addressing "the mess, the boredom, the guilt, the flashes of rage, and the love so big it somehow made it all worthwhile."
TODAY.com - The family described Smokler’s blog as “permission: to laugh, to admit it was hard, to tell the truth, and to be a great mother without pretending to enjoy every single second of it.”
TODAY.com - Smokler shared her feelings about her diagnosis, stating, “I keep alternating between feeling so profoundly sad and so pissed off.”
US Magazine - Jill Smokler passed away after a more than two-year battle with glioblastoma.
TODAY.com - Smokler was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer two years prior to her death.
TODAY.com - Glioblastoma has a life expectancy of 12 to 18 months, with roughly 7% of patients living beyond five years.
WHERE:
TODAY.com - Jill Smokler started the "Scary Mommy" blog while at home with her three children.
WHEN:
TODAY.com - Jill Smokler's family shared her diagnosis on social media on May 3, 2024, stating, “Glioblastoma was not on my 2024 bingo card, alas here we are. Life changes fast, friends.”
TODAY.com - Jill Smokler died on June 22 at age 48.
TODAY.com - Smokler shared her glioblastoma diagnosis on social media on May 3, 2024.
WHY:
TODAY.com - Smokler's family stated she spent her life telling the truth about motherhood, giving women permission to feel less alone.
HOW:
TODAY.com - Smokler described her cancer as “not a one-time thing. It keeps coming back.”
TODAY.com - Smokler described her stage 4 cancer as “an octopus with tentacles,” indicating its recurring nature.
TODAY.com - Smokler described glioblastoma as “an octopus with tentacles,” indicating its recurring nature.
(UPDATED June 23, 2026 15:55 UTC)
Jill Smokler's family has shared heartfelt tributes, describing her as "funny, fearless, generous, and entirely herself," while noting that she gave millions of women permission to stop pretending and feel a little less alone. Her blog resonated with many, addressing the mess, boredom, guilt, flashes of rage, and the immense love that made it all worthwhile. After announcing her diagnosis of glioblastoma on May 3, 2024, Smokler candidly expressed that her cancer was "not a one-time thing," emphasizing the ongoing battle she faced.
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(UPDATED June 23, 2026 10:11 UTC)
Jill Smokler's brother, Matt Epstein, shared that she was most proud of her three children, Lily, Ben, and Evan. The family reflected on Smokler's blog, which offered a space for mothers to find permission to laugh, admit challenges, and embrace the truth of parenting without the need for constant joy. In her own words, Smokler described her stage 4 cancer as “an octopus with tentacles,” highlighting the ongoing struggle she faced with the disease.
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(UPDATED June 23, 2026 04:23 UTC)
Jill Smokler, the founder of the popular blog Scary Mommy, has died at the age of 48 after a more than two-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Her brother, Matt Epstein, confirmed her passing and shared that she spent her life sharing the truth about motherhood, helping women feel less alone. Smokler, who was diagnosed with this challenging illness two years prior, described glioblastoma as “an octopus with tentacles,” highlighting its recurring nature.