Jeannie Mai Feels 'Resilient' and Able to 'Love Better' as She Turns 45 amid Divorce

Mai's birthday message comes four months after her estranged husband Jeezy filed for divorce

Jeannie Mai is feeling empowered on her 45th birthday.

The former co-host of The Real shared an inspirational message in honor of her special day, nearly four months after her estranged husband Jeezy filed for divorce.

"Dang. Another year around this blazing sun," she began an Instagram post featuring chic, wintry photos of her in a body-hugging black catsuit accessorized with a Chanel handbag and a furry hat and boots.

"If my story were to end right now, my heart would swell with overwhelming gratitude over how much I have already lived," she wrote. "I thank God for the growth. The achievements. The lessons. All I have overcome. And most importantly- for having loved so deeply that I can love even better today than I ever have before."

Related: Jeannie Mai on Finding Her 'Superpower' amid Split from Jeezy: 'I've Learned to Teach Myself Healthy Love' (Exclusive)

"My superpower is my authenticity, in not allowing life’s pains to shape me into someone I am not," Mai continued. "Even when I am walking through the dark, I will myself not to hold onto it. Hullo. I thrive in light hunnnay ✨ I am thankful for my resilience and my sharp edges that have guided me this far. And I protect my softer side, for she is to be earned❤️"

Concluding the post, she admitted, "There were many days I did not believe I would see another tomorrow— yet here I stand, blessed with another year, unraveling my love, lessons, and truth knowing that while I carry them, they also carry me🙏 Happy Bday me 🥳 #Fortythrive 👑"

Related: Jeannie Mai Is Putting Herself 'Front Row' in 2024: 'I Need to Really Revisit What Jeannie Needs' (Exclusive)

Before that, she also posted a carousel of photos showing her striking a pose in the snow in a gold bikini, which she cheekily captioned, "Cuz she can ✨🎂🥳🥳"

Last month, Mai opened up to PEOPLE about putting herself first in 2024.

"I think we as women specifically don't hear it enough that there is no greater love in your life, even as a mom, that you will ever get from anybody other than yourself. That is the first love of your life, and that will be the last love of your life," Mai said.

She continued, "As women, we look to our partners, we look to our parents, we look to our jobs, way more than we do ourselves, me included. And this year, I am putting myself front row."

Related: Jeannie Mai Says She Learned Jeezy Filed for Divorce at 'Same Time as the Rest of the World': 'I Was Gutted'

The same month, Mai said she was dealing with her split from the rapper — who filed for divorce in September — “day by day” on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

“Even though this year, I met the most broken version of me. I also met the strongest version of me,” she explained.

“It was kind of hard, so yeah, it’s what I’m dealing with day by day, you know?” she continued of the divorce from Jeezy, 46, adding, “I think I’m doing better now.”

Related: Jeannie Mai Jenkins Says Daughter Monaco Is Her 'North Star' amid Divorce: 'I'm Thankful to Have Her'

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Mai also revealed that she found out that Jeezy, whom she married in March 2021, had filed for divorce “at the same as the rest of the world.”

“When I found out … that my marriage was ending in divorce, I was gutted,” Mai Jenkins shared.

“So today, it’s about picking up the pieces. It’s about discovering me and being a mom to the best blessing in my life, my little girl,” Mai Jenkins continued on the show, referring to daughter Monaco, whom she and Jeezy welcomed in January 2022.

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