Sheinelle Jones Marks Emotional First Birthday Since Uche Ojeh’s Death Away From Family Home: ‘Can’t Stop Crying’

Sheinelle Jones has opened up about her bittersweet emotions while celebrating her first birthday since her husband, Uche Ojeh, died—admitting that she was unable to "stop crying" while dealing with an overwhelming flood of feelings.

The "Today with Jenna & Sheinelle" co-host, who lost her husband to brain cancer in May 2025, took to Instagram to reveal how she marked her 48th birthday on April 19, explaining that she had been away from her family home in New York and traveling on a book tour on the big day.

Sharing a series of images from her birthday party and her tour—which saw her traveling around multiple locations across the U.S.—Jones described the milestone as the "perfect moment" to update her fans on how she has been feeling since her husband died.

“As I literally sit here—in tears—on an airplane headed home, I think it's the perfect moment to check in with you," she began.

"Today is my 48th birthday, and to be honest—I can't stop crying. Thankful tears, painful tears because it's my first without Uche, and tears full of gratitude reflecting on the last 7 days."

The TV personality added, "I have never felt so much love in my life. Thank you for the prayers and support over the last year.

"I don't have the words to express how it feels to have SOLD OUT crowds in every city … and what it feels like to take these group photos with your smiling faces. Uche loved The Beatles; as I mark the beginning of '48'—I do ... feel the sun. Thank you so so much."

Jones' carousel included images of her blowing out birthday candles on a cake, showcasing her book at different events, and smiling alongside her pals.

Since her husband died, Jones has been candid about her struggles in dealing with her grief, revealing in February how she had marked his first birthday after his death and admitting at the time that she had not expected the date to be as emotional as it was.

“I’ve just been so busy that I think I’ve underestimated how tough this one would be, and in some ways it’s harder than Thanksgiving and Christmas because you know those are coming and everybody knows it with you. So you’re fortified with love and calls. But this is one of those where it’s just kind of this tribe and people in our family," she admitted.

In an emotional interview with People, Jones previously lifted the lid on the misconception that she is doing better now that she is back on air, while revealing how she is helping her children—Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche, 13—get through the pain of losing their dad.

“People see me on TV, and they think, ‘Oh, she’s better.’ It’s like, ‘Oh, no, no. I’m not better,’" she admitted. "Every day, it’s like swimming through mud. I’ve had to really do the work. Empathy is my superpower now, and I recognize that I hold two things: I hold my grief, and I also hold this joy. I said it months ago, and I’ll say it now: I am fighting for my joy."

Jones took an extended break from the hit NBC morning show while her husband was undergoing treatment, announcing in January that she would be absent from screens, explaining at the time that she was dealing with a family health matter.

The mother of three announced four months later that her husband of nearly 20 years had died.

Though Jones did not appear on the "Today" show to announce the news of her husband's death, her co-host Savannah Guthrie shared the devastating development with viewers in an on-air statement.

"With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our dear friend and 'Today' co-host Sheinelle Jones, has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma," Guthrie told viewers at the time.

"There are no words for the pain that we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children. Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him."

Jones officially returned to her role as the co-host of the third hour of "Today" later that month.

Jones and Ojeh tied the knot in 2007 and were living together at a stunning property in Livingston Manor, NY, when the "Today" host stepped back from her hosting duties to support her husband.

The couple are understood to have purchased the dwelling for just under $1.4 million in December 2020.

The home offers 4,762 square feet of living space on 53 acres with a "large stocked pond" and an in-ground heated pool, according to its original listing description.

Inside the property, there is a library, a formal dining room, and an enormous primary suite, in addition to a four-bedroom, two-bath guesthouse.

It's thought that Jones and her family moved into the home after returning from a five-month getaway in South Carolina, where they quarantined during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time, the "Today" host voiced her excitement at the prospect of beginning a "new adventure," while gushing about the time that she and her loved ones had been able to spend isolating in such a picturesque location.

Although Jones and her husband owned a property outside of New York City, they did live in a Manhattan apartment at one point—with the on-air personality proudly sharing the space in a story posted on Today.com.

She explained to the online outlet that she fell in love with the home's high ceilings, corner window, and hardwood floors, having moved into the home after their family relocated from Philadelphia when she landed the role on "Today."