Sheryl Sandberg Defends Amanda Kloots From Critic For Dating After Husband's Death: 'We Need Encouragement'

Sheryl Sandberg came to Amanda Kloots' defense after several criticized her for dating again a year after her husband, Nick Cordero, passed away.

Sandberg spoke with the People Every Day podcast and defended Kloots from a critic who slammed her for dating again a year after Cordero's death. Sandberg pointed out that it isn’t easy for widows to venture into finding a new man while grieving for the love they lost, but they aren’t meant to be alone forever that’s why she encouraged the fitness instructor to be open to dating. She added that their unofficial club (those who lost their husbands) is a "terrible club to be in."

"I remember the topic of dating is very hard. We need encouragement. And it won't shock you to know that we judge women more harshly for dating after death than we judge men," she said.

"I remember there was an email that my brother sent to my sister and my parents, and he did not realize I was on it," she continued. "It was months after Dave died: 'It's time for us to talk to Sheryl about dating. She needs to know she's not going to be alone forever. And she needs to know it's okay.' And I was on the email. And I realized the love he had. My brother was the first person. He sat me down. He said, 'If you are a man, you would start dating now.'"

Sandberg added that when one gets married and makes a commitment to their partner, they look forward to spending the future together. When that person is taken away either long and slow or suddenly the whole ordeal leaves a certain fear that goes on. So, it isn’t easy for them to date again.

Sandberg and Kloots recently bonded after the latter lost her husband due to COVID-19 complications. The 51-year-old Facebook COO lost her husband SurveyMonkey CEO Dave Goldberg in May 2015. His death was due to an accident while they were on vacation at a Mexican resort. He suffered severe head trauma and blood loss after slipping and falling off a treadmill in the hotel's gym, according to Oprah Daily.

Six years later, Sandberg is engaged. She said yes to Tom Bernthal's proposal in February 2020.

On Friday, Kloots confirmed that she started dating again. However, one netizen seemingly disapproved of her decision by commenting, "Dating already wow that was fast." Kloots clapped back at the critic by calling out the netizen when she shared the comment on her Instagram Story.

"How dare you judge anyone especially someone going through this process," she wrote in a screenshot obtained by People. "I will address this soon guys, I promise. There's too much to say and too much that widows deal with to not talk about it. Until then I will call out anyone who is rude enough to comment like this."