Uche Ojeh, Husband of Sheinelle Jones for 17 Years, Passes Away After Battle with Brain Cancer

 Uche Ojeh, Husband of Sheinelle Jones, Dies at 45 After Battle With Brain Cancer

Uche Ojeh, the beloved husband of TODAY co-host Sheinelle Jones for 17 years, has passed away at the age of 45 following a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

“With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our friend and TODAY co-host Sheinelle Jones, has passed away,” Savannah Guthrie said during the May 23 broadcast. “He faced this illness with immense courage and grace.”

“There are no words for the sorrow we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children,” Guthrie continued. “Uche was truly special — deeply loved by everyone who knew him. We want to take a moment to honor the remarkable man who was Sheinelle’s perfect partner in life.”

Uche and Sheinelle’s journey together began at Northwestern University in the late 1990s. Sheinelle, then a freshman, offered to give Uche — a high school senior visiting the campus — a tour. That encounter sparked a relationship that would grow over eight years, culminating in Uche’s proposal on the very same campus where they first met.

They were married in September 2007 in Sheinelle’s hometown of Philadelphia. Together, they raised three children: their oldest son, Kayin, born in 2009, and twins Uche and Clara, born in 2012.

Uche’s life was deeply rooted in family, faith, and culture. Proud of his Nigerian heritage, he made it a priority to instill that pride and connection in their children. He found joy in singing with the church choir and was a passionate soccer player.

“He loved his kids more than anything,” Craig Melvin shared on TODAY. “He was always there — at every soccer game, every concert, every recital. He was that dad. And he and Sheinelle shared such a beautiful, supportive love.”

Their relationship was built on the small, meaningful moments — cheering each other on through life’s highs and lows. When Sheinelle completed the New York City Marathon two years ago, Uche was there, beaming with pride. And just weeks later, Sheinelle was at the finish line celebrating Uche as he completed a triathlon.

The TODAY family remembers Uche as a devoted husband, a loving father, and a kind-hearted soul who brought light to all those around him. His memory and spirit will live on through his family, friends, and the many lives he touched.