Sheinelle Jones is set to return to NBC’s Today show on Friday, September 5, nearly four months after the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh.
The announcement was made by co-anchor Savannah Guthrie on the September 2 broadcast, revealing that Jones will mark her return with an emotional pre-taped interview, her first public statement since Ojeh’s passing.
Ojeh died in May at the age of 45 after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. Jones, 47, had been on extended leave from the show since late 2024 to care for her husband and family during his illness.
During the announcement, Today co-anchor Craig Melvin expressed the team's excitement, stating, “We've got some other great news that we are so excited to share with you and it involves a member of our own Today family.” Guthrie added, “She and her family have been through so much after the devastating loss of her husband, Uche.”
The upcoming interview between Jones and Guthrie will focus on her journey through grief, the strength she’s drawn from faith and family, and a message of hope for others experiencing hardship. Guthrie shared, “She calls this experience a ‘beautiful nightmare’ and has thoughts on grief that are so touching.”
Jones had initially cited a “family health matter” in a January Instagram post, without revealing details. The couple had been married for 18 years and shared three children: Kayin, 15, and 12-year-old twins Clara and Uche. Many Today co-hosts attended Ojeh’s funeral in May and have continued to support Jones throughout her absence.
Dylan Dreyer, a fellow Today host, praised Jones’ resilience, saying, “She’s always smiling… Even through this, she relied on her faith, she relied on her friends.”
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