This Sunday, April 19, Sheinelle Jones celebrated her 48th birthday, although it was much more bittersweet than other years.
The TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle anchor spent her birthday weekend on a book tour around the country, promoting her new release Through Mom's Eyes, in which she speaks with some of her famous friends about their perspectives on motherhood.
© InstagramFor Sheinelle and her three kids, this has been a poignant moment, as they wrestle with this being Sheinelle's first birthday since the passing of her husband Uche Ojeh in May of 2025.
In November 2024, Sheinelle took an extended leave of absence from the show to deal with a family medical emergency, and six months later, it was announced that Uche had passed away at the age of 45 from aggressive glioblastoma. The couple welcomed son Kayin, 16, and fraternal twins Clara and Uche Jr., 13, together.
On her birthday, Sheinelle took to Instagram with a lengthy message for her followers while on her way home from her latest book tour stop. "Hi everyone. As I literally sit here – in tears – on an airplane headed home, I think it's the perfect moment to check in with you," she began.
"Today is my 48th birthday, and to be honest – I can't stop crying. Thankful tears, painful tears because it's my first without Uche, and tears full of gratitude reflecting on the last 7 days," the mom-of-three continued.
"I have never felt so much love in my life. Thank you for the prayers and support over the last year. I don't have the words to express how it feels to have SOLD OUT crowds in every city … and what it feels like to take these group photos with your smiling faces. Uche loved The Beatles; as I mark the beginning of '48' – I do... feel the sun. Thank you so so much."
Sheinelle's book (titled in full Through Mom's Eyes: Simple Wisdom From Mothers Who Raised Extraordinary Humans) was released on April 14, with the host celebrating the moment on the air not just with the help of her TODAY family, but also her real family, as her three kids surprised her on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle on pub day (which you can watch above).
© Getty Images"It's been 6 years in the making, and goodness knows it's been a journey for me!" Sheinelle wrote of the book on social media. "Today has been so surreal, and I can't thank you enough for your support."
"'Through Mom's Eyes' is my love letter to all of the women who have poured into us — whether she's a mom, grandmother, aunt, teacher or coach… I want to celebrate us all."
© NBC"My kids, walking in with one of Grandmama's favorite quotes from the book – was the icing on the cake. We are resilient and strong, we have faith … and these women deserve to be celebrated!"
