‘Today’ show’s Sheinelle Jones mourns the loss of husband Uche Ojeh at 45

Uche Ojeh, husband of ‘Today’ show co-host Sheinelle Jones, has died at age 45 after fighting glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. The heartbreaking news was shared live on-air by Jones’ colleagues, who described their grief and support for the family.

The Today show family is grieving the sudden and tragic loss of one of their own. Uche Ojeh, husband to longtime co-host Sheinelle Jones, passed away after a private fight with glioblastoma, a fast-growing and often deadly brain cancer. He was 45.

The announcement came during the Friday, May 23 broadcast, as co-hosts Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Carson Daly, Dylan Dreyer, and Jenna Bush Hager broke the news with visible emotion. Guthrie called the moment “unimaginably painful” and said, “There are no words for the pain that we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children.”

Craig Melvin, fighting back tears, shared how devoted Ojeh was as a father. “He loved those kids more than anything… he was that dad who showed up for everything. Every soccer game. Every recital. Every moment.”

A love story nearly two decades long

Uche Ojeh wasn’t just a familiar name to viewers. To Sheinelle, he was her life partner, best friend, and constant support.

Their story began at Northwestern University, where Jones was a freshman and Ojeh was visiting as a high school senior. Years later, after nearly a decade of long-distance love, the couple married in 2007. Together, they built a close-knit family with three children: 15-year-old Kayin, and 12-year-old twins, Clara and Uche.

“He was her perfect match,” said Guthrie. “His joyful spirit and quiet strength complemented Sheinelle in every way.”

Ojeh was known for his kindness, faith, and devotion to his family. Friends remember his warmth, his strong connection to his Nigerian roots, and his powerful voice in the church choir. He was proud of his culture and passed that pride on to his children.

A family’s quiet battle

In December, Sheinelle quietly stepped away from the Today show to care for her husband, sharing in January that she was dealing with a “family health matter.” Few outside her close circle knew the severity of Ojeh’s illness.

On Friday, after the emotional on-air tribute, Sheinelle broke her silence with a simple, heartfelt post on Instagram. Alongside a clip of the segment, she wrote: “Thank you, for all of your love and support. ❤️”

Community and fans show their support

Fans across the country have flooded social media with words of love and sympathy.

“Sheinelle gave us joy every morning,” one viewer wrote. “Now it’s our turn to lift her up.”

Others praised Ojeh as the “definition of a family man” and offered prayers for the couple’s children.

Uche Ojeh’s passing is more than a personal tragedy—it’s a reminder of the quiet strength behind public figures. While Sheinelle brought smiles to millions each morning, she was privately holding up her husband through the hardest fight of his life.

As the Today family and viewers mourn his loss, they also celebrate the man he was—faithful, loving, humble, and present. His memory lives on in the stories shared, the children he raised, and the love he and Sheinelle built together.

In times like these, it’s clear – behind every anchor’s smile is a real life, a real family, and real love. Rest in peace, Uche Ojeh.