Uche
Ojeh
Uche Ojeh was an American consultant of Nigerian heritage, a church choir singer and a devoted soccer fan. Sheinelle Jones husband Uche became known to viewers of NBC’s Today show through the way she spoke about him with love. He died of glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, at the age of 45. Today announced his death on May 23, 2025, and his wife of 17 years later returned to the show and spoke openly about losing him.
| Nationality | American |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Consultant |
| Spouse | Sheinelle Jones (m. September 2007) |
| Children | Three |
| Died | Death announced May 23, 2025, aged 45 |
Biography
Uche Ojeh was a Pennsylvania native, according to Newsweek. His family roots are in Nigeria, and NBC News reported that he stayed devoted to his Nigerian heritage and passed it on to his children.
Faith ran through his life. He sang in his church choir and, in the words of NBC News, family, friends and his faith guided him. He also loved soccer and took up triathlons as an adult.
Career
Uche worked as a consultant, Newsweek reported. The public mostly knew him through his marriage.
Personal Life
Uche met Sheinelle Jones at Northwestern University in the late 1990s. She was an 18-year-old freshman who offered a campus tour to a visiting high school senior. That senior was Uche.
Sheinelle later described those early days on Today. “I remember when he was 17 and I was 19 and we were sitting in my dorm room at Northwestern,” she told Savannah Guthrie in an interview that aired on September 5, 2025. She said they would stare at the campus clock tower, talking and dreaming.
The two dated for about eight years. Uche proposed on the Northwestern campus, and they married in September 2007 in Philadelphia, Sheinelle’s hometown. They have three children.
Sheinelle’s career grew alongside the marriage. She joined Today in October 2014 as a co-anchor of Weekend Today and became a co-host of the show’s third hour in January 2019. Her own story is covered in our Sheinelle Jones net worth article.
Friends described Uche as a hands-on father. Craig Melvin said on Today: “He loved those kids more than anything else in this world, and was just so proud.” Melvin added that Uche was a regular at his children’s soccer games, concerts and recitals.
Illness and Death
Sheinelle left Today in December 2024 on family medical leave. In January 2025 she said on Instagram that she was taking time to deal with a family health matter. The illness stayed private until Today announced his death.
Savannah Guthrie told viewers on May 23, 2025 that Uche “has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma.” She added: “There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children.”
Fox 29 in Philadelphia, where Sheinelle once co-hosted Good Day Philadelphia, sent condolences to the family. Colleagues from Today and NBC also paid tribute.
On September 5, 2025, Sheinelle returned to Today after about four months. In a pre-taped interview, she described the time as a “beautiful nightmare.” She said she had first realized something was wrong a few weeks before she ran the New York City Marathon, and that she kept working on air while caring for him.
Sheinelle also spoke about his faith. “Uch was such a fighter. And he had such strong faith. It was his lifeline,” she said in the same interview. She said praise and worship music was the one thing that could calm him.
Her message to viewers who face similar loss was direct: “Cancer doesn’t have to steal our joy.” She also said: “I feel like Uch’s heartbeat lives on in mine.”
Timeline
Late 1990s: Uche meets Sheinelle Jones at Northwestern University.
2007: Uche and Sheinelle marry in Philadelphia in September.
2014: Sheinelle joins Today as co-anchor of Weekend Today.
December 2024: Sheinelle begins family medical leave from Today.
May 23, 2025: Today announces Uche’s death at 45.
September 5, 2025: Sheinelle returns to Today and speaks about her husband.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Uche Ojeh?
Uche Ojeh was a consultant of Nigerian heritage and the husband of Today co-host Sheinelle Jones. They met at Northwestern University and married in September 2007.
How did Uche Ojeh die?
He died of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Today announced his death on May 23, 2025.
How old was Uche Ojeh when he died?
He was 45.
How many children did Uche Ojeh and Sheinelle Jones have?
They have three children.
Was Uche Ojeh Nigerian?
He was American, from Pennsylvania, and his family has Nigerian roots. NBC News said he was devoted to his Nigerian heritage.
