Savannah Guthrie reveals she breaks down daily while continuing ‘Today’ show return

Savannah Guthrie has spoken candidly about the ongoing emotional toll of her mother Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, revealing she “cries every morning” as she continues to live with unanswered questions about what happened.

The 54-year-old Today show anchor returned to work in recent weeks following her mother’s disappearance from her Arizona home on February 1, and says that despite her public-facing role, the uncertainty remains a constant presence in her daily life.

Speaking to co-host Jenna Bush Hager, Guthrie addressed viewers who may have questioned how she has been able to continue working while dealing with the personal crisis.

“I know maybe people wonder, like, ‘Whoa, what’s going on? How is she able to do that job? Is she not thinking about it?’ No, never, never,” she said. 

“It’s always with me. I cry every morning on the way to work, and I cry every morning on the way home.”

Guthrie said returning to the studio has provided brief moments of relief, describing the Today show environment as a “respite” during an otherwise painful period.

“I just felt like, ‘What else should I do?’ And my mom would’ve said the same: just keep going,” she added.

While acknowledging how difficult it is to maintain composure on air, Guthrie said the support of colleagues has helped her continue working through the uncertainty.

“When I see you in the morning, I know that you see me, no matter what is going on,” she told Bush Hager. 

“Sometimes that’s almost too much because I feel like to do the job, I’ve got to keep it together.”

She added that the structure of her workday brings a sense of purpose, even as she continues to process grief in private.

“It’s not that I’m not thinking about it, because I am,” she said. “But it’s something to do. It brings me a lot of joy to be with everybody. It’s not easy.”

Investigation continues

Nancy Guthrie has been missing since early February, with authorities continuing their search and investigation. 

According to reports, ransom notes were allegedly sent to local media outlets, adding further complexity to the case.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a May update that no suspects have been identified, but emphasized that investigators and the FBI are actively working on the case.

“I think every day they get closer,” he said, noting that extensive evidence analysis is ongoing.

In earlier remarks, Guthrie shared that she has come to a deeply personal acceptance about her mother’s fate, describing a moment of spiritual clarity that helped her cope with the unknown.

“Early on, I felt that I heard God speak to me,” she said in a previous interview. “You do know where she is. She’s with me.”

She added that while she feels a sense of spiritual peace, the need for answers remains.

“So whether she’s on this Earth still or whether she’s in Heaven, I know where she is,” she said. “But we need to know.”