Savannah Guthrie Shares Emotional Farewell Before Surgery Leave from ‘Today’
Savannah Guthrie, the longtime co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show, delivered an emotional on-air farewell before stepping away temporarily for vocal surgery, surprising viewers and colleagues alike. In a heartfelt broadcast on December 19, she explained her health condition and shared her gratitude for the support she’s received as she prepares for recovery.
A Surprise Announcement on ‘Today’
During the final broadcast on the “Today” show before her leave, Guthrie revealed that she has been struggling with a scratchy, weakened voice for years — a condition recently diagnosed as vocal nodules and a polyp requiring surgical removal. Guthrie made the following statement on NBC:
“Some of you have noticed that my voice has been very scratchy and started to crack a little bit like Peter Brady, who was going through a change,” the star explained. “Well, I have found out what it is. I have vocal nodules, and now I also have a polyp. It’s not a big, big deal, but I am going to have a surgery real early in the new year and be off for a couple of weeks. So it’s my last day for a little while. So I just want to let everyone know, and if you’ve been wondering, do I have the world’s longest head cold? No, I don’t.”
Guthrie, 53, reassured fans that the surgery was not a major health crisis but emphasized the need for complete silence during her recovery period, making this farewell particularly poignant.
Emotions and Encouragement from Colleagues
The atmosphere in the “Today” show studio was a blend of emotion and support as Guthrie prepared to step away from the show. Co-host Sheinelle Jones — who herself has previously undergone the same procedure — stood by her side and offered encouragement. Jones shared her own experience with the surgery, noting its manageable nature and emphasizing the importance of rest during the recovery period. In an article from Decider, Jones even presented Guthrie with a whiteboard and pen, tools she credited with helping her communicate during her own period of silence. “The silver lining is you have permission to be still,” Jones said. “The house gets quiet, the kids are gonna want to help you out.”
Despite the serious nature of the surgery, Guthrie maintained her signature humor. Reflecting on her altered voice and anticipated silence, she quipped about her family’s reaction: “I know the jokes write themselves … Christmas coming early for my family.”
Reflecting on Her Journey at ‘Today’
Guthrie has been a fixture on the “Today” show since joining NBC News and has co-anchored the program for well over a decade. Over the years, she’s become known for her reporting, interviews, and on-air camaraderie with fellow hosts. Her announcement comes more than a year after the show underwent a major lineup change, with the departure of longtime co-host Hoda Kotb and the elevation of Craig Melvin to full-time co-anchor alongside Guthrie.
In her farewell message, Guthrie expressed both relief and optimism about finally addressing her voice issues, pointing out that it has been something she’s “been dealing with for years” and that she’s “really excited” to have a plan in place.
What’s Next for Guthrie and ‘Today’
While the “Today” show has not yet confirmed who will regularly fill Guthrie’s seat during her absence, the network and her colleagues will carry the morning broadcast forward as she focuses on healing. Guthrie’s return date remains undetermined, and fans have expressed an outpouring of support across social media platforms. For now, Guthrie’s temporary farewell reinforces the human side of broadcast news — reminding audiences that even familiar faces on television navigate personal challenges with resilience and grace.
