Sheinelle Jones Says She's Hit Her 'Heartbreak Quota for the Next 75 Years' After Second Family Death in 1 Year
- - Sheinelle Jones Says She's Hit Her 'Heartbreak Quota for the Next 75 Years' After Second Family Death in 1 Year
Rachel McRadyJanuary 7, 2026 at 12:45 AM
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Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
Sheinelle Jones on 'Today' in April 2024. -
Sheinelle Jones opened up about the heartbreak she experienced in 2025 in a new Instagram Story
The Today co-host's husband, Uche Ojeh, and grandmother, Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown, both died seven months apart
Jones is preparing to become the official co-host of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle later this month
Sheinelle Jones is hoping to have a happier 2026.
Following the tragic death of her husband, Uche Ojeh, in May 2025, Jones announced that her beloved grandmother died suddenly on New Year’s Eve. On Monday, Jan. 5, the Today co-host got candid about her year of loss in her Instagram Stories.
“I keep telling my friends, I have reached my heartbreak quota for the next 75 years, so I am praying that 2026 and beyond is just sunshine and rainbows,” Jones, 47, shared before showing off her meaningful jewelry. “This morning I put on my regular jewelry like I always do, and this is Grandmama’s, this is Grandmama’s and now it has even more meaning.”
Jones previously shared the news of her grandmother’s death in a Saturday, Jan. 3 Instagram post.
“It is with the heaviest heart that I announce the sudden passing of my grandmother. 😢She passed early in the morning on New Year’s Eve at the age of 96,” Jones wrote. “Anyone who knows me, knows that ‘Grandmama,’ Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown, was my world; my best buddy, my confidante and my unapologetic cheerleader.”
Sheinelle Jones/Instagram
Uche Ojeh (left) and Sheinelle Jones' grandmother Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown.
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Jones' grandmother's death came seven months after Ojeh died of glioblastoma in May 2025. The journalist is now a single parent to her and Ojeh’s three children — Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche Jr., both 13.
But amidst the heartbreak, Jones also has reason to celebrate. Next week she will be joining Jenna Bush Hager as the new co-host of the fourth hour of Today, which will be renamed, Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
Sheinelle Jones (left) and Jenna Bush Hager on 'Today with Hoda & Jenna' in Sept. 2023.
After Hoda Kotb’s exit from the show in January 2024, Bush Hager, 44, spent the past year at the helm of her own show, Today with Jenna & Friends, welcoming celebrity guest co-hosts.
"Today I’m so thrilled to announce that I’ve found my forever friend and we’re gonna start a brand new journey in January,” Bush Hager announced in December. “I couldn’t be more excited to share this person with you all. You all know her, she’s an extraordinary broadcaster. But more importantly, she exemplifies exactly what this show is all about."
At the time, Jones discussed the “higher purpose” she found in taking on the role.
"I feel like it’s divine, but I actually feel a responsibility in it where we can bring joy, we can bring hope, we can bring comfort," she said. "So just as healing as it is for me and fun, I hope we can bring that for people at home."
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
