Sheinelle Jones has reunited with her Today family.
Four months after the host’s husband of almost 18 years Uche Ojeh died following a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, Sheinelle returned to Studio 1A. During her sit down with anchor Savannah Guthrie, Sheinelle shared how she’s been faring.
“My heart is shattered,” she said. “My heart is shattered in a million pieces. The life that I’ve known since I was 19 is no more. I’ve always wanted kids, and I have three kids of my own now, and they’ve lost their dad and I’m their mom. It sucks.”
On how she’s doing, she added, “It’s day to day. I’m proud of myself for how I’ve coped so far. I’m proud of my kids for how we’ve been able to try to pull through. But it’s horrible. But I’m here, I’m breathing and I’m okay.”
Sheinelle also detailed how she’s helped her kids navigate the devastating loss of their father.
“What I’ve told my kids, it’s almost like rain can’t last forever,” she said. “And so when the rain comes, in some ways, I’ve learned to just look up at the rain and let it be a cleansing rain, and let it clear the air. And so I don’t run away from crying anymore. When it comes to grief, I see it as like, ‘Okay, here comes my cleansing rain, and it’s okay, and I almost feel better.’ And then I go back to what I’m doing. So I don’t fear it anymore.”
Prior to her friend’s return, Savannah shared insight into the pair’s conversation and how Sheinelle was coping in the months after losing her husband.
“She calls this experience a ‘beautiful nightmare,’” Savannah shared during the Sept. 2 episode of Today. “She has thoughts on grief that are so touching, she’s got a special message of hope too for anyone facing their own struggles and we will share that with you.”
As the 53-year-old said of Sheinelle’s return, “We cannot wait to welcome her home right where she belongs.”
And this isn’t the first time Sheinelle’s Today family has rallied around her. Following Uche’s death in May, just 45 at the time of his passing, the Today show put together a moving tribute for him.
“There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children,” Savannah said during the May episode. “Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him. And so we want to take a moment to tell you more about the remarkable man who was Sheinelle’s perfect partner in life.”
And it was co-anchor Craig Melvin who spoke to how wonderful a father Uche was to his and Sheinelle’s children.
“One thing he always talked about—he talked about those kids,” Craig explained. “He loved those kids more than anything else in this world, and was just so proud.”
Uche was also the parent who always showed up, Craig adding, “He was that dad that was on the sidelines at every soccer game. He was at all the concerts and the recitals. He was that guy, and they had such a beautiful love story.”
Al Roker, for his part, revealed Uche was “wickedly funny.”
“He would say things that kind of caught you off guard,” Al said, “but wasn’t braggadocious or anything. He was a very humble man.”
Prior to her return to Today, Sheinelle only spoke out about Uche’s death following the Today tribute. Sharing the segment to her May 23 Instagram Story, the 47-year-old wrote, “Thank you, for all of your love and support.”
For a look back at Sheinelle and Uche’s sweet love story, keep reading.
Life Partners
Sheinelle Jones often spoke about how she met her husband Uche Ojeh while giving him a tour of campus at Northwestern University when she was just 19.
As Savannah Guthrie noted in Today’s May 23 tribute to the consultant, he was a “remarkable man who was Sheinelle’s perfect partner in life.”
Dedicated to Faith
Throughout his battle with glioblastoma, the Today anchors emphasized that Uche was devoted to his faith as well as his Nigerian heritage. In a post from 2021, Sheinelle shared that all three of their kids dressed in “native Nigerian wear” for their baptism.
That Guy
As the father of kids Kayin, and younger twins Clara and Uche Jr., Uche put his family first.
“He loved those kids more than anything else in this world,” Craig Melvin emphasized in Today’s tribute. “He was just so proud. He was that dad that was on the sidelines of every soccer game, all of the concerts, recitals. He was that guy.”
A “Humble Man”
During Today’s broadcast, Al Roker noted that while Uche was quiet, he was “wickedly funny,” adding, “He was a humble man.”
Biggest Supporter
In a birthday tribute to Uche in 2021, Sheinelle emphasized that her late husband was always by her side.
“When I put in his picture and click ‘search’ on my iPhone … pretty much ALL of the pics, are of him by my side,” she explained on Instagram. “And/or helping the kids with homework, music or soccer lessons. I am truly thankful to be on this journey with such a beautiful human being.”
Going the Distance
In the Today segment honoring Uche, Savannah emphasized that Sheinelle and Uche overcame obstacles including long distance to make their romance work. And for Sheinelle, it was all worth it. As she wrote in a tribute post to Uche in 2022, “You caught my eye when I was 19 years old …. and here we are.”
Warriors
Amid their hardest battle together, Savannah emphasized that both Sheinelle and Uche were “warriors.”
As Savannah emphasized, Uche was “a man whose joyful spirit and quiet strength complemented Sheinelle in every way.”
Saying Goodbye
In a post following the segment announcing Uche’s tragic death, Sheinelle wrote, “Thank you, for all of your love and support.”
