Amanda Kloots bravely reflects on love, loss, and life with her husband, Broadway star, and Tony Award nominee Nick Cordero, whose public battle with COVID-19 and tragic death made headlines around the world. InMarch 2020, Broadway star and Tony Award nominee NickCordero was hospitalized for what he and his wife, Amanda Kloots, believed tobe a severe case of pneumonia. Entering the hospital, they had every reason tobelieve that Nick—a young father and otherwise healthy man—would return home. After an eventual diagnosis of COVID-19 that led to Nick’s being placed on aventilator, Amanda took to documenting their journey on social media, showingthe dangers COVID-19 posed to everyone, regardless of age. Her updates quicklycaptivated millions, inspiring people around the globe to dance each day toNick’s song “Live Your Life” and offer positive thoughts and prayer. When hepassed away after ninety-five grueling days in the ICU, the world grieved for Amanda,her infant son, Elvis, and the future COVID-19 had snatched away from them. LiveYour Life isthe story of Nick and Amanda’s life together—of their beautiful relationship,of Nick’s dramatic fight for survival, of those sudden tragic months thatpermanently changed her world and ours—and of their interrupted future as afamily. From the confusing early days of his illness to searching for signs ofhope in every update from the doctors to the healing sound of Elvis’s laughter,Amanda details how she approached even the most devastating moments with the personaloptimism and faith that have shaped her life. Written with her sister AnnaKloots, who was with her every step of this journey, Live Your Life exploreshow Amanda’s willingness to accept help from an entire community ofpeople—friends, family, and even total strangers—played a vital role inenduring this hardship. In the process, she offers a touching meditation on howeven the worst times have silver linings that deepen our connections to theworld around us and to the people who matter most. Whatemerges is an inspiring and unexpectedly uplifting message for life in the timeof COVID, a vision of courage for anyone coping with overwhelming loss or thecollective trauma of what the pandemic has taken from us. A poignant reflectionon love, hope, motherhood, and the transformational power of music, LiveYour Life is a love letter to Nick and a reminder that, sometimes,celebrating life today is the only path through tomorrow’s darkness. Live Your Life includes 16 pages of color photos exclusive to the book.
