Who Is Savannah Guthrie? A Quick Guide to the Today Show’s Co-Anchor
Savannah Guthrie is one of the most recognizable faces in American morning television. She has been the co-anchor of NBC’s Today show since July 2012 and also serves as NBC’s Chief Legal Correspondent – a rare combination of legal expertise and broadcast talent.
Here are the key facts at a glance:
- Full name: Savannah Clark Guthrie
- Born: December 27, 1971, in Melbourne, Australia (raised in Tucson, Arizona)
- Current role: Co-anchor, NBC’s Today show (since 2012)
- Education: BA in Journalism, University of Arizona (1993); J.D. magna cum laude, Georgetown University Law Center (2002)
- Notable: Received the highest score on the Arizona Bar Exam in 2002
- Family: Married to Mike Feldman; two children, Vale and Charley
- Recent news: Her mother, Nancy Guthrie (84), was reported missing on February 1, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona – prompting an active FBI investigation
What makes Savannah’s story so compelling is the contrast between her polished on-screen presence and a deeply human personal journey – from a legal career she walked away from, to a broadcasting career that made her a household name, to a family crisis that has gripped the nation.
This guide covers everything: her background, career milestones, personal life, and the latest on her mother’s disappearance.
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Early Life and Legal Background
While many of us know Savannah Guthrie as a staple of New York morning media, her story actually began thousands of miles away. She was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1971, though her family moved back to the United States when she was just two years old. She grew up in Tucson, Arizona, a place that would later become the center of a difficult family investigation.
Savannah’s father, Charles Guthrie, passed away when she was only 16, a loss she has spoken about as a defining moment in her life. Despite the early tragedy, she excelled academically. She attended the University of Arizona, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and graduated cum laude with a B.A. in journalism in 1993.
However, her thirst for knowledge didn’t stop at a microphone. After a few years in local news, she decided to pivot toward the law. She moved to the East Coast to attend the Georgetown Law Alumnae program at Georgetown University Law Center and graduated magna cum laude in 2002.
To top it off, she received the highest score on the Arizona Bar Exam that year. Before she was a household name on NBC, she was a litigator at the firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where she specialized in white-collar criminal defense. This legal foundation is exactly why she is so formidable during high-stakes interviews today.
Savannah Guthrie’s Early Career and Legal Education
Savannah’s journey into the living rooms of millions wasn’t a straight line. Her first job out of college was at KTVM-TV in Butte, Montana, but that role famously lasted only 10 days because the station’s news operations were shut down. She didn’t let that stop her, eventually working in Missouri and Arizona before heading to law school.
After earning her J.D., she combined her two passions by becoming a national trial correspondent for CourtTV. She covered some of the most famous legal battles of the early 2000s, including the Martha Stewart trial and the Michael Jackson child molestation case. This unique blend of a journalism degree and a top-tier legal education made her a “unicorn” in the industry, eventually catching the eye of NBC News.
Career Milestones and Notable Interviews at NBC News
Savannah officially joined NBC News in 2007. She started as a correspondent and quickly rose through the ranks to become the White House Correspondent from 2008 to 2011. During this time, she traveled the world with the Obama administration and covered the 2008 vice-presidential campaign of Sarah Palin.
In 2011, she transitioned to the Today show, initially as the co-host of the third hour and the NBC Chief Legal Correspondent. By July 2012, she was elevated to the main co-anchor seat, replacing Ann Curry. Since then, she has become a central presence on the program, anchoring coverage of major national and global events.
She has conducted some of the most exclusive and hard-hitting interviews of the last decade. Her roster of interviewees includes:
- Presidents: George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.
- Political Figures: Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, James Comey, and Bill Barr.
- Global Leaders: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
- Celebrities: Exclusive sit-downs with figures like Beyonce, Meryl Streep, and a high-profile interview with Amber Heard following the Depp v. Heard trial.
Savannah Guthrie’s Contributions to NBC News and Beyond
Savannah’s excellence has not gone unnoticed by her peers. She is a multi-Emmy winner, including a 2009 News & Documentary Emmy for her coverage of the 2008 election and a 2011 Daytime Emmy for her work on Today. In 2012, she was honored with a Gracie Award for her reporting.
Beyond her daily anchoring, she has shown versatility. She served as a guest host on Jeopardy! in 2021. She is also a New York Times bestselling author. She has written children’s books like Princesses Wear Pants and Princesses Save the World, and more recently, she explored her faith in the book Mostly What God Does.
Even her “fun” side is well-documented; she once played a charity tennis match against Roger Federer and Bill Gates. While she lost 3-6, she won plenty of points with fans for her spirit and athleticism.
Personal Life, Family, and Health Challenges
In her personal life, Savannah has been open about both her joys and her struggles. She was previously married to journalist Mark Orchard, but the couple divorced in 2009. She later met Michael Feldman, a public relations consultant and former Democratic political aide, while on vacation in the Turks and Caicos. The two married in March 2014 in a beautiful ceremony near her hometown of Tucson.
The couple has two children: a daughter, Vale Guthrie Feldman (born 2014), and a son, Charles Max Feldman (born 2016). Savannah has been remarkably transparent about her journey to motherhood, sharing that her son Charley was a “medical miracle” following her experience with IVF.
However, 2026 has been a particularly challenging year for the anchor. In January 2026, she underwent vocal cord surgery to remove nodules and a polyp that had been affecting her voice. She made a “silent” appearance on Today shortly after, using a whiteboard to communicate with viewers while her kids sent hilarious messages of support. Unfortunately, this health recovery was interrupted by a much more serious family crisis.
The Investigation into Savannah Guthrie’s Mother’s Disappearance
On February 1, 2026, the Guthrie family’s life was turned upside down. Savannah’s 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona. She was last seen around 9:45 p.m. on January 31, after having dinner with her daughter Annie.
The FBI investigation quickly escalated as authorities found evidence suggesting foul play. According to reports, blood stains were found at the scene, and her pacemaker had been disconnected. Most chillingly, security footage recovered from a Google Nest camera—despite the subscription having lapsed—showed a masked, armed suspect with a backpack tampering with the device.
The scale of the investigation is massive. The FBI has amassed roughly 10,000 hours of video footage from the surrounding area. Because video enhancement and review must often happen in real-time, the process has been slow but steady. The family is also looking into genetic genealogy, a forensic tool that combines DNA analysis with traditional genealogical research to identify suspects.
To help bring her mother home, Savannah and her family have offered a staggering $1 million reward for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie. They are also working with Crime Stoppers, allowing individuals to submit tips anonymously.
Reward Comparisons: Historical Kidnapping Cases
High rewards have historically been a successful tool in pressuring those close to a suspect to come forward. Former FBI agents have noted that such a large sum creates immense psychological pressure on “amateur” criminals.
| Case | Year | Reward/Ransom | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nancy Guthrie | 2026 | $1,000,000 | Ongoing Investigation |
| Frank Sinatra Jr. | 1963 | $240,000 | Released; Kidnappers caught |
| John Paul Getty III | 1973 | $2,200,000 | Released after 5 months |
For those with any information, authorities urge you to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Impact of the Nancy Guthrie Case on Professional Commitments
The disappearance has, understandably, taken Savannah away from her professional duties. She was forced to withdraw from her planned coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics to remain with her family in Arizona and New York as they navigate the search.
Savannah has used her platform on social media to plead for prayers and to keep her mother’s face in the public eye. “Our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom,” she shared in a heart-wrenching Instagram post. While she has made brief returns to the Today show desk, her colleagues and the NBC family have been incredibly supportive, emphasizing that her family needs her more than the broadcast does right now.
Frequently Asked Questions about Savannah Guthrie
Who is Savannah Guthrie and what is her current role?
Savannah Guthrie is an American broadcast journalist and attorney. She is currently the co-anchor of NBC News’ Today show and serves as the network’s Chief Legal Correspondent. She has been in the co-anchor seat since 2012.
What is the status of the investigation into her mother’s disappearance?
As of February 2026, the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is active and ongoing. The FBI is reviewing 10,000 hours of video, and a $1 million reward has been offered by the family. Authorities suspect foul play and are searching for a masked suspect seen on security footage.
What are Savannah Guthrie’s educational and legal credentials?
Savannah is a highly qualified legal mind. She holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Arizona and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Georgetown University Law Center, where she graduated magna cum laude. She also received the top score on the Arizona Bar Exam in 2002.
Conclusion
At Edible Brooklyn, we are deeply rooted in the New York lifestyle, from the vibrant culinary culture of our local neighborhoods to the iconic figures who define our city’s media landscape. Savannah Guthrie is more than just a news anchor; she is a familiar face to many New Yorkers, and her strength during this difficult time is inspiring.
Whether she is interviewing world leaders or advocating for her family, Savannah represents the grit and grace we admire. As we continue to follow the developments in her mother’s case, we keep the Guthrie family in our thoughts. For more stories on the people and places that make our city unique, or to discover the best local dining experiences, check out our More info about restaurant services page.
We hope for a swift and safe resolution for the Guthrie family and look forward to seeing Savannah back at the desk, doing what she does best.
