Sheinelle Jones says she convinced herself husband Uche Ojeh ‘would be OK.’ He died in May of brain cancer

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On Friday, Sheinelle Jones resumed her role as co-host for the third hour of the “Today” show, approximately five months following her husband’s passing. In her own words, she detailed a prolonged journey through grief that began well before the wider public became aware of the struggles she and her family were facing.

Uche Ojeh, who was not only Jones’ college sweetheart but also his wife for over 17 years, passed away due to brain cancer in late May. Jones shared during a pre-recorded interview on Friday that he had been informed about his glioblastoma diagnosis as early as the fall of 2023.

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Unfortunately, Uche Ojeh, the spouse of TV host Sheinelle Jones, passed away at the young age of 45 following a battle with glioblastoma, a highly malignant type of brain cancer. The couple had been married for seventeen years.

The mother of three shared with Savannah Guthrie on ‘Today’ that she felt confident he would recover, saying, ‘I had faith that everything would turn out alright.’ Although she knew the situation would be challenging, they all held onto the hope that he would eventually be well again.

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The Glioblastoma Foundation indicates that this type of cancer affecting the brain and spinal cord is the most aggressive one known, and at present, conventional treatment offers limited help. On average, individuals who undergo treatment live for 15 months following diagnosis; in contrast, those who do not receive treatment typically survive between three to six months. Although research into novel treatments has shown promise, as per the Mayo Clinic, there is currently no cure available for Glioblastoma.

In late April, musician Michael Bolton disclosed that he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma. Similarly, Michael Tilson Thomas, a renowned conductor of classical music, has been receiving treatment for the same disease since the spring of 2022. Remarkably, Ojeh lived for over a year and a half following his diagnosis.

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Michael Bolton was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of aggressive and non-curable brain cancer that does not respond well to treatment. This information surfaced approximately 16 months following his emergency operation to take out a brain tumor.

In August of 2023, Jones made public her preparations for the New York City Marathon in 2023. On November 5, 2023, she successfully completed the race. A few weeks prior to running the 26.2-mile course, she found out about her husband’s medical diagnosis. She shared this with Guthrie afterwards.

She remarked that she hadn’t anticipated just how much the marathon would serve as a prelude to even greater challenges. Running the marathon felt like taking one step at a time, breathing deeply while thinking ‘this is too hard, I can’t go on.’ But somehow, she found the strength to continue. Unbeknownst to her, it seemed that race had become a sort of guide or blueprint for what lay ahead.

Jones shared that she spent time in her husband’s hospital room, enjoying the stunning cityscape of New York outside, reminiscent of the moments they used to spend watching their college’s clock tower from a similar spot.

She recalled looking out the window, and it was as if she exclaimed, ‘Oh, my goodness!’, it seemed surreal, almost like a full-circle event repeating itself. We were silent once more, and it felt like a dream, both beautiful and terrifying. It was overwhelming, it was divine, it was something greater than us.

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On the day Janet Jackson appeared on ‘Today’, she might not have anticipated the heartfelt praise she received from avid fan and host, Sheinelle Jones.

Still, Jones said, she wouldn’t have done it any other way.

She expressed that whenever she looked at him, she’d think, ‘I’d gladly relive everything.’ In those moments, she might have said something like, ‘This is awful,’ or ‘This is terrifying,’ but if given the choice, knowing this would be her destiny, she’d choose to go through it all again.

Speaking about dealing with her grief since his passing, she stated that nothing would make her happier than to simply lie in bed, ignore the doorbell, and let calls go unanswered. However, she has three children who rely on her to maintain a positive atmosphere and serve as an example for them.

She expressed that she desires for them to take pride in her, specifically in how she’s dealt with situations. Feeling the need to persist, she seems to be constantly striving towards a sense of personal tranquility, as she put it: ‘I just keep moving forward to find my peace.’

As a devoted “Today” show fan, let me share some news: I’ve noticed the absence of Jones during the third hour, alongside Dylan Dreyer, Craig Melvin, and Al Roker. Back in mid-December, she shared about taking time off to handle a personal health situation within her family.

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Commentary: Michael Tilson Thomas charges ahead while in treatment for aggressive brain cancer

This weekend, Maestro Michael Tilson Thomas, currently battling brain cancer, makes his return to the Los Angeles Philharmonic to conduct multiple performances of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony.

In January, it was reported that the situation was “grave”, neither Jones nor her three children with Ojeh – Kayin, aged 16, and the twins Clara and Uche, both 13 at the time – were involved. The news about Ojeh’s passing emerged on May 23rd.

During the late 1990s, Ojeh and Jones first crossed paths at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. On this particular day, Ojeh was strolling to class, while Jones happened to be a high school student visiting the campus. In need of directions, Jones encountered what seemed like an impromptu tour guide in Ojeh. Impressed by his charm, she agreed to show him around, admitting later that he was attractive. Following a decade of dating, they finally tied the knot in September 2007.

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2025-09-05 22:02