Look Back on Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh's Beautiful Love Story

The "Today" show host married her college sweetheart in 2007.

Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh's Love Story

Photo: Bennett Raglin | Getty Images

Updated May 23, 2025

The Today Show's Sheinelle Jones and her husband, Uche Ojeh, were married for 17 years. On May 23, 2025, Jones' co-host Savannah Guthrie announced the tragic news that Ojeh passed away from an aggressive battle with brain cancer. News of his death came after months of Jones' absense from the morning program. "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," Guthrie said. "There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children. Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him."

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Ojeh, a managing partner at UAO Consulting, entered Sheinelle's life well before her rise to fame—having been there from the first steps that led her to the career she has today. The pair first met while they were students at Northwestern University, and Ojeh initially caught Jones' eye when she was just 19 years old (as she has stated in several IG posts dedicated to her husband). The couple married in September 2007 after roughly eight years of being in a long distance relationship together.

From college sweethearts to parents of three, here's what we know about the Today show's Sheinelle Jones and her relationship with her husband.

Sheinelle Jones's husband was Uche Ojeh. They were married in 2007.
Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh met in 1997 or 1998, while they were students at Northwestern University.
Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh got married on September 1, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh have 3 children together: Kayin, Uche and Clara.

In this article:

Who Is Sheinelle Jones' husband, Uche Ojeh?
How Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh Met
Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh's Relationship Timeline
Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh's Engagement

Who Is Sheinelle Jones' husband, Uche Ojeh?

Sheinelle Jones and her husband Uche Ojeh

Sheinelle Jones' husband, Uche Ojeh, led a rather private life. Unlike his wife, who has a public-facing career and a very active social media account, Ojeh opted to stay out of the limelight. He occasionally made appearances on Jones' Instagram account, but he never posted anything on his own Instagram page.

According to his Linkedin, Ojeh was a managing partner at UAO Consulting. He shared three children with Jones and had been married to her since 2007.

How Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh Met

Jones and Ojeh first met at college, when they both attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

On February 4, 2023, Jones wished her husband a happy birthday with a heartfelt slideshow of their journey together so far. In the first image, she included a photo of the gates at Northwestern University along with a descriptor that said, "To think it all started here at Northwestern 25 years ago."

Although, apparently the two weren't together the entire time they were in college. In an interview with People, Jones explained: "I broke up with Uche in college and was like, 'I don't need him, ha ha,' and we're at some random place in Chicago," she said, adding that when she made out with "some guy."

Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh's Relationship Timeline

1997/1998: Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh first meet

The couple first met when they were students at Northwestern University.

September 2007: Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh get married

After eight years of being in a long distance relationship, Ojeh finally proposed, and the couple got married on September 1, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

August 2009: Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh welcome their first child

On August 27, 2009, the Today show host and her husband welcomed their first child, their son Kayin (14). In a birthday post on Jones' Instagram, she shares a little bit about when Kayin was a baby. "13 years ago today this little guy changed my world and opened my heart in ways I didn't even know was possible. We had a small apartment in Philly when he was born…I placed his crib, right across from our bed. I remember - I would just stare into those innocent beautiful brown eyes. ❤️Goodness it feels like time is flying. Happy 13th Birthday Kayin. I love you and I'm so proud of you. Oh my goodness I have a teenager! ✨"

July 2012: Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh welcome twins

On July 10, 2012, Jones and Ojeh's family of three became a family of five when they welcomed twins Uche and Clara.

September 2022: Sheinelle Jones and Husband Uche Ojeh attend the NYC Ballet Fall Fashion Gala

Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh attend the NYC Ballet Fall Fashion Gala

Jones and Ojeh looked stunning when they attended the New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala in September 2022. Jones posted a series of photos on Instagram, along with a caption describing how magical the night was.

April 2023: Sheinelle Jones brings her kids to work

Jones brought her kids to work in April of 2023, so they could see what she gets up to every day. She posted a carousel featuring Kayin, Uche and Clara in the studio, along with a caption that says:

"This is the first time my kiddos have seen me do the show in the studio! I think it was good for them to see what mommy does every morning. I used to love going to work with my mom…I hope they look back on this day fondly too."

August 2023: Sheinelle Jones cheers on her twins at the US Open

Jones and Ojeh's twins, Uche and Clara, were at the US Open catching balls for the pickleball match that started off the event. The newscaster shared photos of the event, writing, "So normally when you watch the @usopen you don't hear a mom in the audience cheering for the ball kids…but this mom did for her twins. ☺️ It was all in good fun for a kick off event with a friendly match of pickle ball between some of the worlds top tennis champions. Fun night of fellowship before these guys get down to the real business! 🎾"

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September 2023: Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh celebrate 16 years of marriage

Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh celebrate their wedding anniversary

On September 2, 2023, Jones posted a sweet series of photos on her Instagram account in celebration of the couple's 16th wedding anniversary. She included six photos from their wedding day, as well as a heartfelt caption:

"Happy Anniversary Uche. ❤️ - It's amazing how life works sometimes…I was born in Philly…moved away as a baby…visited my father every summer after my parents separated…but I never imagined I'd end up having some of the best years of my life and career there, getting married in Philly and ultimately having 3 kids at the same hospital where I was born. ❤️ We've created beautiful memories…here's to a lifetime more. 16 years! 🥂"

November 2023: Uche Ojeh supports Sheinelle Jones' NYC Marathon run

Jones ran the New York City Marathon in November, and in photos she shared to her Instagram, you can see her husband, along with fellow Today co-anchors, supporting her. "One of the best days of my life. ❤️ I could NOT have done it without @yoyosafe @jeslynnyc and @rainyfarrell . They are stuck with me for life. ☺️ Did I just run 26.2 miles? My legs just responded…why, yes I did. The longest and most rewarding 4 hours and 41 minutes of my life. ❤️ "

Prior to the race, she discussed why running was important to her with her co-host, Jenna Bush, on Today: "I am not an athlete," Jones said. "In gym class, I was never picked. I was a cheerleader, I was a dancer, but I'm not an athlete. When I turned 40, I wanted to change the narrative in my head that I can do hard things and so I ran a half marathon and I swore I would never do it again."

"And so now, I just turned 45 and I'm going to try to do hard things again and so I'm going to run the New York City Marathon!" she continued. According to Today, Sheinelle Jones' marathon time was four hours and 41 minutes.

February 2024: Sheinelle Jones celebrates Savannah Guthrie's new book

Jones celebrated the release of Mostly What God Does, a book written by Savannah Guthrie, who is also a co-anchor on NBC's Today show.

May 2025: Today Show Announces the Death of Sheinelle Jones' Husband

On May 23, 2025, the Today Show announced the death of Sheinelle Jones' husband, Uche. News of his passing came after Jones embarked on a leave of absence in December 2024. The anchor addressed her time away in a January Instagram post, writing, "Hi everybody...I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I've been absent from the show. I want to share with you that I'm taking time to deal with a family health matter. It's not lost on me how lucky I am to have not only the support of my Today Show family, but to also have all of you. Your kindness means so much to me. I'll see you soon."

Four months later, Savannah Guthrie announced that Ojeh passed away following an "aggresive" battle with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. "There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children," she said. "Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him." Jones shared the clip of the announcement on Instagram, captioning it, "Thank you, for all of your love and support. ❤️"

All About Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh's Engagement

In a clip from the Today show, Jones discussed the details surrounding her engagement to Ojeh. "For me, I thought I knew when it was coming, twice, and it didn't happen," she explained to Jenna Bush. "The one time it was the typical Tiffany's box, we were doing the long distance, and it was a bracelet," she added.

"Fast forward to the next time, and we were in Cancun, and we did long distance for seven years, eight years. So we were in Cancun, and we were swimming. It was a romantic trip, and I thought, it's coming," Jones continued. Except she was wrong; "Trip ended, flew back," she said. So, after that, Jones explained that she stopped expecting it.

When it finally did happen, Jones was totally surprised. "We were on a trip to North Western's campus, where we went to school, and it was raining outside," Jones recalled. "He was like, hey let's go over by our little spot on the lake, and I was like, no it's raining." But he insisted, and got down on one knee in the pouring rain.