Savannah Guthrie and her siblings ask to take their mother home
Today anchor Savannah Guthrie, seated between her siblings, made an emotional plea on social media to bring her mother home.
The “Today” show calls itself a family. The program is broadcast to American homes every weekday morning. Over the years, the family has experienced some shocking heartbreaks, but the stars have emotionally supported each other through the process.
The disappearance of host Savannah Guthrie’s mother is the latest crisis the usually upbeat TV crew has had to deal with in public, broadcasting from New York City’s famously windowed Studio 1A.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was surprisingly reported missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on Sunday, February 1st, and the sheriff’s office treated the home as a crime scene. Authorities say Guthrie was “removed from her home against her will.” A devastated Savannah Guthrie took a leave of absence from “Today” on February 2, declined to host the Olympic opening ceremony in Milan-Cortina on February 6, and asked fans on Instagram to “pray.” On February 4, Savannah, her sister Annie, and brother Camron released an emotional video calling for their mother’s return.
The kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie is a shocking and highly unusual tragedy, but it is not the only trauma that members of the “Today” show have endured in the morning show’s long history. From cancer to the death of a spouse to mental health issues, the hosts have had their share of tough battles over the years and have shared and processed these hardships with millions of viewers, sometimes in real time.
Here’s how ‘Today’s’ families have coped with this ongoing personal crisis and other devastating life events in the past, and how they’ve stepped up for each other time and time again.
‘Today’ show rallies in support of Guthrie
The “Today” show co-anchor emotionally echoed Savannah’s call to prayer during his Feb. 2 show. “Her faith guides us and Nancy guides us,” Jenna Bush Hager said through tearful eyes.
“And that’s the only thing we all have and can do,” added Shinelle Jones. “It doesn’t cost anything.”
His close friend Craig Melvin, who also quit covering the opening ceremony of the Milan Olympics in solidarity with Guthrie, said on air that many fans of the program shared that they too were praying for the Guthrie family.
“And that’s exactly what Savannah and her family need to hear. My pastor said something like this years ago: ‘It’s easy to be faithful when things are going well in life. You have to be faithful when you’re on the top of the mountain, but the God of the mountain is the God of the valley,'” Melvin said.
Hota Kotb battled breast cancer and daughter Hope’s illness
Hoda Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2007 and spoke candidly about it on Today. Behind the scenes, the diagnosis and battle also had a big impact. After undergoing a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in March 2007, Kotb told NBC that she wanted to become the new host of the four-hour show Today, which she did in October 2007 with Kathie Lee Gifford.
In March 2023, Kotub returned from a two-week break and told Guthrie and viewers that she was caring for her youngest daughter, Hope, in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
“Thank you to my family and friends like you who were there every day,” Kotub said, her voice shaking with emotion. “I’m so grateful that she came to my house. I’ve been waiting for that day to come.”
Kotb, 61, left Today on January 10, 2025 in a tearful on-air farewell. She returned to the role last May and revealed on air that Hope’s type 1 diabetes condition “definitely weighed heavily” on her decision to step back from her 26-year career.
Shaynel Jones experiences a ‘beautiful nightmare’ after losing husband Uche Ojie
In January 2025, Jones said in a statement to Today viewers that she was “taking time to deal with family health issues.”
In May, Guthrie revealed on Today that Jones’ husband, Uche Ojie, who had been privately battling a malignant brain tumor called glioblastoma, had died at the age of 45 “after a courageous battle.” The two met at Northwestern University and married in 2007.
Jones returned to the show on September 5 and spoke about her time with Guthrie and her husband, Ogier.
Jones described the tragedy as a “beautiful nightmare” and told a friend: “My heart has been shattered into a million pieces.”
This week, amid Guthrie’s ordeal, Jones reflected on her husband’s death on his birthday, February 4. Jones emphasized the importance of the day at the beginning of that day’s show. Over the past few months, Jones and her children – 16-year-old Cain and 13-year-old twins Clara and Uche – have been adjusting to life as a family of four following the death of her husband.
“I think I underestimated how difficult this was going to be because I was so busy,” Jones told viewers.. “In some ways, it’s harder than Thanksgiving or Christmas, because you know it’s coming. And everyone knows it with you. So you’re strengthened. You’re strengthened with love and calling, but this is just one of those events for people in this tribe and in our family. So we sent a lot of text messages today because they understand that.”
Al Roker shared his prostate cancer diagnosis
In November 2020, Al Roker revealed during an episode of his show that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and said he would undergo surgery to remove his prostate next week.
“It’s like good news and bad news,” Roker said. “The good news is we caught it early. The not-so-good news is it’s a bit aggressive, so I’m going to take some time off to deal with this.”
In the years since, Roker has regularly reflected on that journey on air, commemorating milestones like the five-year anniversary of his surgery, talking about how his experience changed his life, and encouraging viewers to tune in for regular screenings.
Katie Couric returns to ‘Today’ after husband’s death
The spate of misfortunes for “Today” anchors is not limited to the current lineup of hosts. Katie Couric, who hosted the show from 1991 to 2006, suffered the death of her husband Jay Monaghan during her long tenure. Monaghan died of colorectal cancer at just 42 years old. When Couric returned as co-host of “Today” on February 24, 1998, after a bereavement, his moment on television was one of the most powerful in the show’s history.
Couric said at the beginning of the broadcast, “Many of you know that last month I lost my beloved husband, Joy Monaghan.” “Words alone cannot describe how devastating this loss is to me, my daughters, and Jay’s entire family.”
After thanking viewers for their cards and letters, Couric paid tribute to “all of you who may be battling a life-threatening illness right now.”
“Just know that my heart is with you,” she said.
Meredith Vieira leaves ‘Today’ to spend time with husband Richard Cohen
Meredith Vieira, who took over as host from Couric in 2006, announced her departure from Today on May 9, 2011, saying she wanted to spend more time with her family, including her husband Richard Cohen, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
“It’s a difficult day for me. I’m going to pull myself together here,” Vieira said as he sat on a couch with colleagues. “Time is one of those strange things you never get tired of; it keeps ticking by.
“And I want to spend more time with my husband Richard,” she added, her voice shaking.
Over the years, the couple often appeared on Today and spoke candidly about living with the disease, caregiving, and resilience. When Cohen passed away on December 24, 2025, the accomplished journalist and father of three was memorialized on the “Today” show.
Carson Daly reveals his anxiety on ‘Today’
In 2018, Today’s Carson Daly, best known for hosting MTV’s Total Request Live in the 1990s and 2000s, came under threat from his co-hosts and viewers. Daly revealed on air her own mental struggle with anxiety, saying it was something she was born with.
“That’s something I can’t change about myself,” Daly said. “Actually, it’s okay. I’ve learned to accept it. There are downsides to the way God created me. And there are tremendous upsides as well.”
Ms Daly insisted on seeking the help of a professional psychotherapist.
“We are so proud of you,” Kotb told the Daily after his article aired.
Contributors: Erin Jensen, Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
