Who Was Sheinelle Jones’ Husband? The Love She Says Still Guides Her As A Permanent ‘Today’ Co-Host

2025 has been a roller coaster year for Sheinelle Jones. After losing her husband, Uche Ojeh, to cancer in May, she stepped away from Today to focus on her family, only to return within four months with a renewed sense of purpose, living life as what she described as a “beautiful nightmare”. And now, she is bidding adieu to the year as the permanent co-host of the fourth hour.

In the recent episode of Today with Jenna & Friends, which aired on December 9, 2025, Hager surprised Jones with the announcement that she will become a permanent co-host of the show’s fourth hour starting January 12, 2026. 

This marks an emotional milestone for Shienelle and her kids after such a difficult year. And with her new chapter about to begin, she is certain that her late husband is cheering her on and guiding her every step of the way.

Sheinelle Jones celebrates a new chapter on Today, after a year marked by heartbreak

Jones stepped away from Today in late 2024 to be with her husband and partner of 18 years, Uche Ojeh, as he battled his final days with brain cancer. This decision even led to a fight between the couple, as Ojeh never wanted her life to stop because of him. In the past few months, the journalist spoke openly about how each day since her husband’s passing has been a balancing act of grief and choosing happiness. 

Image: People

Now, as she achieves another milestone, almost exactly a year later, it marks a full-circle moment for her and her kids. When she told them about her new role, their reactions said everything. Kayin snapped a proud selfie from his school library, while the twins celebrated with her at home. Jones shared:

“I told my kids first. Kay was in the school library — he sent me a selfie that was the cutest thing — and the twins, I went and got wine, and I gave them water, and I said, ‘Guys, we have to take a selfie,’ and they were so happy for me. There was so much joy in our house, and we needed that joy.”

Why Sheinelle sees her new role as a sign from her late husband

Sheinelle believes her late husband played a role in her memorable achievement, which came within a year of her temporarily leaving the show. The reason? She shared a quiet ritual before stepping on set that morning, and it felt like he was there with her. Jones revealed:

“When I came back from leave, I talked about fighting for my joy. This is what it looks like. It feels divine. It feels like Uche’s up there with God. He’s Mr. Competitive. He’s like, ‘Alright, let’s make this happen for Sheinelle.’ I put on his shirt this morning, and I said a little prayer.”

Who was Sheinelle Jones’ husband, Uche Ojeh? Their love story, from college sweethearts to parents to three

Unlike Jones, Ojeh was no public figure, but he was her whole world. For nearly two decades, their love blossomed, and Jones found a steadier-than-steady partner in her college sweetheart. Ojeh was a man of ambition and positivity: he trained for a triathlon just because it was on his bucket list, and he was a devoted father raising a close, connected family.

Their relationship began with a story in the 90s, when Jones was a freshman in college, and Ojeh was a visiting high school senior. She was drawn to him right away and decided to say hello. Pretending to be a campus tour guide, she walked up to Uche and his group and asked if they were lost. It gave her an easy way to introduce herself, and it worked. 

Neither knew it at the time, but that brief exchange would ultimately mature into a full-blown relationship. A year later, he enrolled, and the two spent the next eight years dating. They grew close, supported each other through school, and graduated a year apart. Sheinelle earned a journalism degree, and Uche completed computer science with an economics concentration in 2001. After eight years of relationship, often a long-distance relationship, Ojeh proposed to Jones at the very place they met, on a rain-soaked campus path near the lake. 

Sheinelle and Uche tied the knot in 2007 in Philadelphia, and by 2012, they had built a happy and ever-smiling family of five. The couple often spoke about the joys and challenges of raising three young children while balancing demanding careers. Even their three kids looked out for each other, and the proud parents did everything they could to show up even on their busiest days.

What did Uche Ojeh do?

On the professional front, Ojeh had built an impressive career in tech consulting, eventually becoming managing partner at UAO Consulting. The Nigerian-born carried his heritage with pride, something that helped him and Jones to raise their children with values. In October 2023, months before his diagnosis became public, he completed a triathlon with his loving family, ‘The Uche’s’. Celebrating the achievement, Jonas wrote on her Instagram:

“I think it’s so important to celebrate the wins of the people you love— this weekend it was all about ‘The Uche’s. My youngest son’s soccer team took first in their tournament… meanwhile, dad, AKA big Uche, conquered a triathlon. It’s something he’s always wanted to do … and he trained really hard for it… The rest of us in the house (me, Kayin & Clara) are super proud of them. Love you guys.”

Uche was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer

Uche’s diagnosis came in late 2023, and it was revealed that he was suffering from an aggressive glioblastoma. Through the early months of his illness, Sheinelle protected his privacy and kept most of the battle out of public view while continuing her work. She supported him through treatment, often heading to his chemotherapy sessions right after her morning shifts. 

As his condition grew more serious, she stepped back completely, taking leave in December 2024 to be fully present for him and their children. After a long struggle, Uche passed away in May 2025 at age 45. The Today show family broke the news through tears, sharing tributes that spoke to his warmth, faith, and deep devotion as a husband and father. 

Sheinelle returned within four months of losing Uche

In September 2025, Sheinelle Jones returned to Today. She never pretended life was back to normal; instead, she spoke up about grief, about what it takes out of you and what it gives back. She told her ‘Today family’:

“If you see me here, that means you can do it too. And we’re all gonna fight for our joy. If you see me laughing, and when you see me having a good time with my sister-friend here. That means you can get up and conquer your day too.”

This week, as she steps into her new hosting role alongside Bush Hager, that message carries even more weight. The new hour, Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, debuts January 12, 2026, nearly a year after Hoda Kotb stepped away to focus on her own family. 

Now, Jones gets to embrace and share that joy daily, holding on to the memory of Uche, her biggest cheerleader, who she’s certain is still keeping score and rooting for her.

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