> At a Glance
> – Sheinelle Jones lost husband Uche Ojeh in May 2025 and grandmother Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown on New Year’s Eve
> – The two deaths came just seven months apart
> – Jones debuts as official co-host of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle later this month
> – Why it matters: The anchor begins a high-profile new chapter while raising three children as a single parent
Sheinelle Jones is entering 2026 carrying both fresh grief and new professional momentum. In a pair of recent Instagram posts, the Today co-host shared that her husband and grandmother died within months of each other, even as she prepares to take over the fourth hour of the program with Jenna Bush Hager.
A Year of Loss
On January 3, Jones told followers that her 96-year-old grandmother died suddenly on New Year’s Eve. Two days later she expanded on the toll the back-to-back losses have taken.
> “I have reached my heartbreak quota for the next 75 years, so I am praying that 2026 and beyond is just sunshine and rainbows.”
She paired the message with a photo of jewelry that once belonged to her grandmother, noting it “now has even more meaning.”
Jones’ husband, Uche Ojeh, died of glioblastoma in May 2025, leaving her to parent their:
- Kayin, 16
- Twins Clara and Uche Jr., both 13
New Beginnings on Today
Despite the personal heartache, Jones is moving forward professionally. Last month Bush Hager announced that Jones would become her permanent co-host, replacing the rotating-guest format used since Hoda Kotb’s departure in January 2024.
> “I’ve found my forever friend and we’re gonna start a brand new journey in January.”
Jones said she sees the role as more than a job change:
> “I feel a responsibility where we can bring joy, we can bring hope, we can bring comfort.”
The re-branded hour, Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, premieres later this month.
Key Takeaways
- Jones lost both her husband and grandmother within seven months
- She begins co-hosting the fourth hour of Today in January 2026
- The anchor hopes the show can be a source of comfort for viewers at home
- Jones is now raising three children on her own while stepping into a higher-profile TV role
