Amanda Kloots, the widow of late Broadway star Nick Cordero, is embarking on a heartfelt journey to create a unique keepsake in memory of her beloved husband. Nearly five years after Cordero’s passing at the age of 41 in July 2020, Kloots has teamed up with Eterneva to honour him in a truly special way. The former Talk co-host, who shares a 5-year-old son Elvis with Cordero, is in the process of turning his ashes into a custom diamond ring that she plans to wear every day.
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In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Kloots shared her thoughts on the emotional process of transforming her husband’s ashes into a wearable piece of jewellery. Reflecting on the beauty of Eterneva’s services, she expressed how she finds it challenging to physically face the ashes of her loved one, making the creation of a diamond ring a more comforting and uplifting way to remember Cordero. The ring will serve as a tangible connection to him, a source of solace and a means to keep his memory alive in her daily life.
The decision to create the bespoke ring was a recent development for Kloots, initiated after her manager introduced her to Eterneva. This company specializes in creating diamonds from ashes and hair, offering a meaningful way for people to cherish the memory of their loved ones. Kloots took the opportunity to be closely involved in the entire process, from selecting the colour and cut of the diamond to choosing the style of the jewellery, all tailored to pay homage to Cordero’s legacy.
Describing the significance behind her choices for the ring, Kloots revealed her intention to make it uniquely representative of Cordero’s personal style and preferences. Opting for a black diamond to reflect his love for wearing black, especially on stage performing as a musician, she wanted the piece to embody his spirit and character. Additionally, the rectangular shape of the diamond was chosen to symbolize Cordero’s height, a distinctive feature that set him apart.
While the process of collecting Cordero’s ashes for the ring was emotionally challenging for Kloots, she found solace in the idea of repurposing them into something beautiful that she could treasure every day. She acknowledged the difficulty of making decisions about a loved one’s ashes, having previously used them to create vases and other jewellery items as part of her grieving and healing journey.
Although the ring-making process with Eterneva is still in progress, Kloots believes that Cordero would appreciate the sentiment behind the creation. She expressed her deep sense of purpose in turning a sad memory into a beautiful reminder of her late husband, emphasising the healing power of transforming grief into something meaningful and uplifting. By sharing her journey openly, Kloots hopes to inspire others to embrace their grief and find comfort in creatively honouring the memory of their loved ones.
As Kloots prepares to mark the fifth anniversary of Cordero’s passing in July, she remains committed to keeping his legacy alive through meaningful tributes and keepsakes. The diamond ring she is creating symbolizes not just a piece of jewellery, but a profound connection to the love and memories she shared with her late husband. In her courageous and heartfelt approach to grieving, Kloots exemplifies the power of turning loss into enduring love and remembrance.