Sheinelle Jones Returns to Today, Tribute to Late Husband Uche Ojeh Spurs Tears
Sheinelle Jones recently participated in a heartfelt interview about the loss of her husband Uche Ojeh, returning to her cohosting role on Today.
In the September 5 episode of the NBC morning show, which was Jones’ first back since Ojeh’s passing, she spoke with her colleague Savannah Guthrie.
“In this moment, I feel OK. Day-to-day, I’m managing. But from a broader perspective, my heart is broken into a million pieces,” Jones shared. “The life I’ve known since I was 19 is gone. I’ve always wanted children, and now I have three kids who have lost their dad. I’m their mom, and it’s devastating. So how am I doing? It’s a daily struggle. I’m proud of how I’ve managed so far, and I’m proud of my kids for how we’ve supported one another, but it’s really tough.”
Jones described Ojeh’s death as “a nightmare.”
“Seeing a vibrant 45-year-old who loved triathlons, soccer, and his kids struggle like that was a nightmare,” she reflected. “His courage and how we came together as a family showed me the best of humanity, which was beautiful. It became my beautiful nightmare.”
Jones learned about Ojeh’s diagnosis just before she competed in the 2023 New York City Marathon.
“Who knew that marathon would prepare me for the reality ahead,” Jones commented. “It was all about taking ‘one foot in front of the other, one step at a time.’ It felt insurmountable, yet there were moments of encouragement, like ‘Yes, you can.’ Those experiences became a guide for what I was about to face.”
She added, “I believed he would pull through. We all thought he would be okay. Eventually, I found myself in a place where I didn’t know what tomorrow would hold. That uncertainty led me to take a leave of absence because I didn’t want to miss any precious moments.”
Reflecting on nearly 18 years of marriage, Jones became emotional, affirming she would “do it all over again.”
“[Faith] was his lifeline,” she remarked.
Jones initially stepped away from her role on Today in December 2024, mentioning via Instagram in January that she was “taking time to address a family health matter.”
In May, Guthrie revealed that Ojeh had passed away after dealing with brain cancer.
“With deep sadness, we announce that Uche Ojeh, husband of our beloved friend and Today cohost Sheinelle Jones, has died after a brave fight against glioblastoma,” Guthrie shared with Today viewers. “Words cannot express the sorrow we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children. Uche was an extraordinary individual. We all cared for him deeply.”
Jones, who married Ojeh in 2007 and shared a son, Kayin, 16, along with twins Clara and Uche, 13, briefly spoke about her husband’s death in May, sharing a clip of Guthrie’s announcement on her Instagram.
“Thank you for all your love and support,” she posted.
Later that month, Us Weekly reported on Jones’ recovery process.
“There’s no set timeline for her return to Today,” a source revealed to Us in May. “Everyone is in shock and deeply saddened. It’s hard to imagine what she’s enduring. She left in December and has been understandably quiet, focusing on her family.”
According to insiders, “very few people knew what was happening, only select executives and main anchors.”
In the wake of this tragedy, Jones’ Today colleagues showed their support.
“We often say, ‘I know what you’re going through,’ but nobody truly understands unless they’ve experienced it themselves,” said Al Roker close to Us in May. “We’re here to support her, honoring the wonderful person Uche was, who will continue to live on in their children and in our memories.”
Dylan Dreyer praised Jones for being a source of positivity even during these times, noting her reliance on “her faith” and “her friends” through this challenging phase.
“I’ve reached out, careful not to overwhelm her,” Dreyer shared with Us. “There’s so much she’s navigating right now. All I can say is, ‘I’m here. Whenever you need support, just let me know, and I’ll be there in a heartbeat.’ I pray for her every night.”
