The Today show family is reeling from an unimaginable loss.
Uche Ojeh, the beloved husband of longtime Today co-host Sheinelle Jones, has passed away at the age of 45 after a battle with glioblastoma — an aggressive and often fast-moving form of brain cancer.
“There are no words”
The devastating news was announced live on Today during the Friday, May 23 broadcast, as Sheinelle’s co-hosts — Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Carson Daly, Dylan Dreyer, and Jenna Bush Hager — shared the somber update with what they called “profound sadness,” according to People.
“There are no words for the pain that we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children,” said Guthrie.
“Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him. … We just want to say Sheinelle, Kayin, Uche and Clara and the Ojeh family: we are with you, we love you. You are our family and we’re just sending all of our love to you right now.”
Melvin, who was especially close to Ojeh, added through tears, “He loved those kids more than anything else in this world, and was just so proud. He was that dad that was on the sideline of every soccer game. He was at all of the concerts and the recitals. He was that guy.”
A loving husband and devoted father
Ojeh, whose full name was Uchechukwuka Adenola Ojeh, was much more than just a familiar name to fans of the show — he was a loving husband, a devoted father, and a deeply respected figure in Sheinelle’s life for nearly two decades.
The couple had been married for 18 years and built a life centered around their three children: 15-year-old son Kayin, and 12-year-old twins Clara and Uche.
Ojeh first met Jones when she was a freshman at Northwestern University and he was touring the campus as a high school senior. That campus would later become the backdrop for their engagement. After eight years of long-distance love, they tied the knot in her hometown of Philadelphia on September 2, 2007.
He was known by those closest to him for his warmth, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to family and faith. A dedicated dad, he never missed a soccer game, music recital, or family moment. He sang in his church choir, remained deeply connected to his Nigerian heritage, and instilled pride in that culture in his children.
“He was her perfect match; a man whose joyful spirit and quiet strength complemented Sheinelle in every way,” Guthrie said in a moving tribute that aired during Friday’s broadcast. “Uche was the kind of person who brought life, warmth, and joy to every room.”
Sheinelle’s first words
Sheinelle initially chose not to speak publicly about her husband’s passing and had been absent from the Today show since December to care for Ojeh, referring to the situation as a “family health matter” in a January Instagram post. But on Friday, she quietly broke her silence, sharing a video of the show’s emotional tribute to her late husband with a heartfelt caption: “Thank you, for all of your love and support. ❤️”
The heartbreaking news has deeply shaken both viewers and the Today family, who are now rallying around Sheinelle as they honor Ojeh’s memory and offer their support in the days ahead.
As one viewer poignantly shared online, “Sheinelle gave us joy every morning. Now it’s our turn to lift her up.” RIP Ojeh!
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