NBC’s “Today” show family is mourning the loss of third hour anchor Sheinelle Jones‘ husband.
On May 23, Jones’ “Today” colleagues announced that “Sheinelle’s perfect partner in life” Uche Ojeh died at 45.
“With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our friend and ‘Today’ co-host Sheinelle Jones, has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma,” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie said on the show, about the “remarkable man.”
“There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children,” Guthrie said during the segment. “Uche was an incredible person, we all loved him.”
The pair had been married since 2007, and shared son Kayin, 15, and fraternal twins Uche and Clara, 12. The couple met at Northwestern University. Jones currently co-hosts the third hour of “Today” alongside Al Roker, Craig Melvin and meteorologist Dylan Dreyer, but has been absent from the program since last year.
Jones previously said she was dealing “with a family health matter.” After the “Today” announcement, Jones shared a thank you note to fans and viewers as her on-air family reacted to the loss.
Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager pay tribute to Uche Ojeh
Over 20,000 comments have been left on Jones’ post. Former “Today” main anchor Hoda Kotb commented that she was “holding you and your babies Sheinelle” while “Jenna and Friends” host Jenna Bush Hager said, “Love you Sheinelle…we wrap our arms around you now and forever!”
NBC News Now anchor Vicky Nyugen wrote that “in Vietnamese there’s a phrase chia buồn, which means to divide sadness or share grief,” adding that “we are all sharing in your grief and hoping to lessen the burden of your heartbreak.” Joy Bauer, the “Today” health and nutrition expert said “Sheinelle, my heart is with you” and “I feel so incredibly lucky to have known Uche—such a kind, warm-hearted, and truly extraordinary soul.”
In her own Instagram post sharing the “Today” tribute to Ojeh, Guthrie wrote that “Uche was a light. Our hearts break with yours, dearest Sheinelle.” Her third hour co-anchor Roker wrote in a touching post that he “could not bring myself to write these words.”
“I knew this day was coming and yet, for someone, like our brother Uche Ojeh, husband of our dear sister @sheinelle_o, to be gone seems incomprehensible,” Roker wrote, adding that he will remember “his love for Sheinelle” and “his 3 beautiful children, his faith, his humor and his smile.
In a post, Dreyer wrote, “To my dear friend @sheinelle_o …I wish I had the words to help you feel better.”
“I wish I could help you absorb all the love and prayers we’re sending out to you and your family. I’m blessed to have known Uche and this picture sums up the love and support and joy you shared with each other. May your heart be comforted by your memories. You’re both in our hearts and on our minds,” Dreyer said.
Maria Shriver, Katie Couric send Sheinelle Jones love after husband’s death
Two “Today” family members who have familiar experiences with grief and loss also expressed their love for Jones.
Former anchor Katie Couric wrote: “Sending so much love, support and sympathy to @sheinelle_o following the loss of her beloved husband Uche after a valiant struggle with glioblastoma… My heart is breaking for her and their three children. Please hold them in your hearts. Love you Sheinelle.”
During her 15-year stint hosting the “Today” show, Couric’s own late husband Jay Monahan died at age 42 in 1998 when the couple’s daughters Caroline and Ellie were school aged.
NBC’s Maria Shriver — of the famous Kennedy family — wrote that “Sheinelle was a courteous caregiver, there around the clock, caring, loving, showing up 24/7 for him.” The author of the newly released memoir “I Am Maria: My Reflections and Poems on Heartbreak, Healing, and Finding Your Way Home” praised Jones’ caretaking of Ojeh.
“I admire Sheinelle. I admire how she stepped up,” Shriver said. “Every time I spoke with her, she kept saying how she was trying and how critical it was for her to be there for every second for every moment. What a love. What a powerful thing to care for someone when they need it most.
“God bless you, my friend, and god bless all of you who know what she is going through, because you have walked the same journey.”
