Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Grief and What Really Matters Now

Known for her warm energy and comforting presence, TODAY co-host Sheinelle Jones brings joy to millions of Americans on TV each morning. But recently, after the devastating loss of Uche Ojeh, her beloved husband of nearly 18 years, she found unexpected clarity about what matters.

“I am forever changed,” Sheinelle tells Woman’s World as our cover girl (get your copy here). “When you find yourself sitting front row to something like this—to loss—you see the fragility of life. After this kind of pain, your outlook changes. My laughter is even deeper than it was before, because I realize how amazing it feels just to be able to laugh. And when you experience joy again, you can really feel the joy.”

Sheinelle’s new book, Through Mom’s Eyes, weaves wisdom from the mothers of icons—from Lady Gaga to Steph Curry—with her own journey through motherhood, grief and starting over. And in it, she uncovers that raising happy kids matters more than raising “perfect” ones.

This Mother’s Day, the mom of three has a simple but powerful message: There’s no ideal way to mother—there’s only love, presence and the courage to keep going even when life breaks your heart. “These days, I don’t sweat the small stuff. If I’m talking to someone, I mean what I’m saying. I’m not performing—I’m just present.” Here, Sheinelle reflects on what she’s learned and how family, friends and faith are anchors to rely on.

Rely on family and faith

“There’s no template,” Sheinelle says of being a mom. “We do the best we can, but we can’t curate a life.” After interviewing mothers of successful people, one truth stood out to her: There is no single formula. Some moms were strict; others weren’t. Some emphasized discipline; others freedom. “As soon as I thought I had the answer, it changed.” Intention is what counts. Sheinelle’s grandmother said, “I’m doing the best I can with the light I have to see by.” She continued, “But what I did see over and over again was discipline wrapped in love, presence and also faith. A lot of these women leaned on something bigger than themselves to get through the hard moments.”

Stay present

“We pour so much into our children. Then they’re out of the house and you’re like, Wait a minute, who am I? So it’s important not to forget who you are along the way. Your children are part of you, but you’re still whole. It’s about being present with your kids and being present with yourself. I always think about the fact that Shaq’s mom got her degree in her 40s—it’s never too late to keep dreaming.”

Build a legacy of love

“I just hope I can do my part. I think about legacies more now—like before, I never would have thought about what I want to leave the world. But then you’re sitting front row at a funeral as a widow, and you realize the days were so packed. At my husband’s wake, there was a line wrapped around the building. There were over 1,200 people just at the wake, and a woman came up to me in the receiving line. She said, ‘You don’t know me, but we used to see your husband take your kids to school on the train, and he was there every single day.’ And I just thought to myself, Wow. What we leave is not always what we say. I talk for a living, but it’s not what I say that I want to leave. It’s what I do.”

Find what matters

“After everything that happened, I realized what matters most—it’s my kids. Without question,” Sheinelle says. “I just want to be the best mother I can be. And if my book can offer just a little comfort to even one mom who feels overwhelmed or lost, then I’ve done what I set out to do.”

Don’t miss Sheinelle Jones’ new book!

Through Mom’s Eyes celebrates the beauty of motherhood—and the book idea was decades in the making! “I’ve always been fascinated by motherhood—like it’s an art form I want to master,” Sheinelle shares. “Even before I had kids, I was drawn to it. I worked in a nursery, I was a nanny—I’ve always loved children. Then, when I started interviewing the mothers of these very accomplished people for the book, I thought, Wait a minute. We celebrate the star—but what about the person who raised them? That’s where the real story is.”

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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM.