Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Returning to Work After Husband's Death on Today

Sheinelle Jones opened up about the emotional challenge of returning to work after the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh, in a candid conversation with Jenna Bush Hager on Today. Jones, who recently returned to The Today Show after taking time off to care for Ojeh, is guest hosting Today With Jenna & Friends this week. Ojeh died in May at age 45 after a battle with brain cancer.

Speaking with Bush Hager, Jones described adjusting to a “new normal” for herself and their children as they resumed work and school routines. “I think the first week was hard for me,” Jones said, explaining that, when she and her kids returned to work and school, they no longer had to “rally” to prepare for the next major event. Jones recalled the months leading up to his passing and how the arc from illness to hospice shaped daily life: “Okay, my husband’s sick but we’re gonna find the best doctors we’re gonna do the best we can,” she recounted. “Then it was, ‘Okay, thing’s aren’t going well, we’re going to hospice, we’re gonna give him the best days and we’re gonna do the best things we can.’” She added that the planning surrounding his funeral followed the same mindset, saying she wanted to “give him the best send off.” But she noted that the Saturday morning after her first week back was particularly tough, describing the moment as a stark reminder of the new reality. “Saturday’s like when we look at each other and we go, ‘Oh my god, what a week,’” she said of life with her husband. “My coach was gone, my life partner. The days after my first week were tough because it was like my new normal.”

Jones also acknowledged that returning as a guest host isn’t the same as before, admitting, “I don’t know if excited is the word because it’s actually so hard.” Bush Hager, moved to tears, praised Jones for her resilience. “I’ve never met anybody stronger,” she told Jones. “Watching you over the last year has been remarkable.” Bush Hager added, recalling the emotional moment of Jones’s late husband’s funeral: “There’s never been a more beautiful funeral and you did all that.”

Jones returned to the air on Sept. 5 and has continued to take on guest-hosting duties on Today With Jenna & Friends this week. The show airs on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.