Who is Today host Shainelle Jones’ husband? All about the late Uche Oje

Sheinelle Jones was married to her husband, Uche Ojie, for nearly 20 years until his death in May 2025.

The “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle” host met her late husband during a chance encounter at Northwestern University in the late ’90s. After eight years of dating, he surprised her by proposing on her alma mater’s campus during a rainstorm. Jones and Ogier married in 2007 and have three children, son Cain and fraternal twins Clara and Uche.

In mid-December 2024, Jones briefly left the Today show to care for Ogier, who was later diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor called glioblastoma. He passed away in May 2025 at the age of 45.

After being announced as the new permanent co-host of Today’s fourth hour in December 2025, Jones admitted how he will work through his grief in this new chapter of his life.

“To all of you who are going through grief, pain, anything, I want you to know that if you see me here, you can do it too,” she said. “And we’re all going to fight for joy.”

she continued. “If you see me smiling, and if you see me here having a good time with my sister’s friends, that means you too can get up and get through the day.”

So who was Sheinelle Jones’ late husband? Here’s everything you need to know about Uche Ojie’s relationship with broadcast journalists.

He met Jones at Northwestern University.

Jones and Ogier first met at Northwestern University in the late ’90s.

In an interview for Campus Magazine’s Winter 2024 issue, Jones explained that she met Augier when she was a freshman in college, and he was still a senior in high school when he visited the university.

“I was a fake tour guide…I was just walking to class,” she said. “(I was like, “Guys, are you lost?”) “I told her I would take her with me because she was cute.”

Ms. Jones enrolled at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in the fall of 1996. The following year, Ogier started attending the same school, and the couple graduated a year apart.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr. Auger earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a concentration in economics in 2001.

He then worked as a consultant for IBM and Accenture before becoming Managing Partner of UAO Consulting in 2008. He served in that capacity until his death in May 2025.

He and Jones married in 2007

Jones and Auger married on September 2, 2007 in her hometown of Philadelphia.

Just days before celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary, the Today co-anchor opened up about how Ogier proposed to her after eight years of long-distance dating.

“There were two times when I thought I knew it was coming, but it wasn’t,” she admitted on Today’s segment, noting that he once surprised her with Tiffany jewelry that he thought was an engagement ring, and the second time was during a trip to Cancun, Mexico.

Finally, Auger popped the question during a visit to Northwestern University’s campus, where their love story began. It was a rainy day, but Auger persuaded Jones to take a moment outside in a special spot near the lake, where he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.

Over the years, Jones has paid tribute to their union on social media. “Happy Anniversary Uche ❤️ – It’s amazing how sometimes life just works out… We made beautiful memories,” she captioned a photo of their special day on Instagram in September 2023.

He and Jones had three children.

The couple welcomed their first child, son Cain, in August 2009, and expanded their family with the addition of fraternal twins Clara and Uche in July 2012.

Over the next few years, Jones talked about the adjustment as she went from having one child to three. In an essay written for the Today website, she revealed that she tried to foster a sense of belonging.

In June 2015, she wrote, “To my three children, I try to show them that they are all a team and must look out for each other. At the same time, they are learning that each of them wants to know that they are special. They often come to me for individual affirmation, and then return to the ‘group’ ready to play as a team.”

In Today’s Mother’s Day Celebration segment, Jones spoke about raising her three children and the type of mother she wants to be.

“I want to be the kind of mother that people look back on. I want to be proud of the mother I am,” she said in May 2024. “Eating dinner at 8:30 or 9 p.m. isn’t necessarily a victory. But you know what? We have a seat at the table.”

he is from nigeria

Jones spoke about Ogier’s background in December 2022, when she expressed excitement that children were having fun wearing the traditional costumes of her home country.

“I think it’s important for my husband that his children grow up understanding his side and his culture,” she explained. “So it’s actually really nice that every year, and more than every year, every time we get together, they get new Native wear. Because as they keep growing, they keep getting new costumes.”

he was a triathlete

In October 2023, Ogier completed a triathlon, and Jones didn’t miss the opportunity to honor this momentous occasion.

“I think it’s very important to celebrate the victories of those you love. This weekend was all about ‘The Uchez,'” she said, referring to her son, who shares her husband’s name.

Jones continued, “My youngest son’s soccer team won the tournament…Meanwhile, my dad, aka Big Uche, won a triathlon. It’s something he’s always wanted to do…and he trained hard for it.”

“I watched them day in and day out…running everywhere and kicking the ball around. 😉 It all paid off. – Those of us who remain at home (me, Karen and Clara) are so proud of them. Love you all ❤️,” she concluded.

He passed away in May 2025

Ogier passed away in May 2025 after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. The heartbreaking news was announced by Jones’ colleagues on the Today show.

The news comes after Jones announced he would take an extended hiatus from the show in January 2025, following his last appearance in mid-December 2024. An exclusive source tells PEOPLE that “family health issues” are “serious.”