NEW YORK (AP) — Savannah Guthrie is set to return to NBC's "Today" show on Monday, following a two-month hiatus due to the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie. This will mark her first appearance back on the show, and though she expresses excitement about returning to a job she loves, she is unsure of how to navigate her professional responsibilities amid her personal turmoil.
Guthrie described her current state of mind, acknowledging that she feels like a changed person since the tragic events. It has been challenging for her to move forward without knowing what has happened to her 84-year-old mother, who authorities believe was taken against her will from her home in Arizona. Guthrie has been open about her struggles, outlining how the uncertainty surrounding her mother’s fate weighs heavily on her.
Despite an extensive search involving thousands of federal and local officers, as well as volunteers, there have been no leads about Nancy Guthrie since she was reported missing on February 1. The FBI has categorized her case as a top priority, and investigators have scoured the surrounding desert and nearby areas, but interest in the case has diminished as new evidence has not emerged. The investigation has stalled, with officials noting a decrease in tips and no recent updates from either the FBI or the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
In a heartfelt video message released during an Easter service at her New York church, Savannah discussed her feelings of profound disappointment and abandonment, mentioning the importance of acknowledging the mixed emotions that accompany loss and pain. In her announcement about returning to "Today," she expressed uncertainty about fitting back into a role typically characterized by joy and lightness amid her current circumstances. She stated that while she wants to authentically engage with her audience, she cannot fake happiness if it doesn’t reflect her true feelings.
During an interview on “Today” last week, Guthrie articulated her internal conflict, saying, “It’s hard to imagine doing it because it’s such a place of joy and lightness.” She emphasized that although she finds comfort in returning, adopting a façade for the sake of the show would not be genuine. Guthrie added that she aspires to smile sincerely when she does so on air and will voice her true feelings when the situation isn't joyful.
Over the years, Nancy Guthrie has made guest appearances on "Today," including a memorable cooking demonstration where she surprised her daughter live on set. The bond between mother and daughter has been evident, and when Savannah returned to Tucson in 2025 to film a segment, they visited beloved family spots together, highlighting their connection to Arizona.
In a desperate move to aid the search efforts, the Guthrie family has offered a $1 million reward for any information that could lead to Nancy's recovery. Initial reports linked some ransom messages to the case, which Savannah and her siblings took seriously and responded to. She reflected on her concerns regarding the potential motivation behind her mother's disappearance, suggesting that her own celebrity status might be a factor, a thought that she found "too much to bear."
As Savannah Guthrie prepares for her return, she does so with the weight of personal grief and uncertainty looming over her, both as a daughter and a public figure. The situation remains dire, and her return will not only test her resilience but also highlight the ongoing search for her mother, Nancy Guthrie.
