Sheinelle Jones Shares Her Honest Experience with Grief: Navigating Life One Day at a Time

Sheinelle Jones Discusses Navigating Grief and Finding Joy

In a heartfelt cover story, Sheinelle Jones opens up about her journey of "fighting for joy" following the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh, after 17 years of marriage. Nine months after her husband’s passing, Jones remains deep in her grief but hopes that sharing her experiences will help others feel less alone.

Jones made her debut as cohost alongside Jenna Bush Hager on "Today with Jenna & Sheinelle" on January 12. In this new role, she has discovered a newfound depth of compassion and connection.

"I have been changed in a good way, too, because of what’s happened to me," Jones told PEOPLE. "I’m not afraid of anyone — I’ll talk to anyone — and we can have a conversation because I’ve been through the worst. Now, I’m leaning into fighting for my joy and connecting with people and squeezing the most I can out of life."

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In May, Ojeh passed away at the age of 45. A college sweetheart, he was a devoted father to their three children: Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche Jr., 13. Reflecting on her loss, Jones described her ongoing grief as "excruciating."

“People see me on TV, and they think, ‘Oh, she’s better.’ It’s like, ‘Oh no, no. I’m not better.’ Every day is like swimming through mud,” she explained. After returning to the network in September following a leave of absence, Jones emphasized the importance of empathy in her new reality. “Empathy is my superpower now,” she said. “I am fighting for my joy.”

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Jones viewed her new hosting role as an essential part of reclaiming joy. "I really put a lot of thought into it because I knew it would be change for me," she shared. “I feel like I’m doing it for the woman or the man or the teenager who picks up PEOPLE magazine and they read my story and they’re grieving.”

Her cohost, Jenna Bush Hager, praised Jones for her resilience. "I’m witnessing Sheinelle do this so effortlessly, and I know it’s not. I know it’s actually really hard, but she’s doing it," she said. "She’s a reminder to all of us that joy and heartbreak can be held at the same time."

As she moves forward, Jones remains determined and optimistic about her family’s future. "Being a single mom is really hard, but I’m proud of my kids for how we’re managing,” she said. "When I hear my kids laugh, I know they’re going to be okay. There’s joy there. And I feel safe and loved at work, surrounded by people who support me."

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For those wanting to dive deeper into Sheinelle Jones’s story, the new issue of PEOPLE hits stands this Friday.