Savannah Guthrie’s first ‘heartbroken’ reaction to Hoda Kotb’s retirement news
Savannah learned about her co-host Hoda Kotb’s retirement while at a wedding overseas. She was heartbroken to hear the news
Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb have co-hosted the Today Show together since 2018
Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb have co-hosted the Today Show together since 2018, but that changed this year when Kotb retired.
She revealed she was leaving the show last year, and officially made her exit in early 2025. The 60-year-old wanted to spend more time with her family, including her two daughters. She had been with Today for 17 years and with the NBC network for 26 years.
Guthrie and Kotb appear to be close friends, even after Kotb left the show. They recently met up in Palm Beach, Florida where they were both spending separate family vacations. In an interview with US Weekly, Guthrie spoke about how she reacted when she heard the news about her friend.
She said that she was leaving a wedding overseas when she got the call. Guthrie was at the airport, and she knew it must be important.
Kotb was replaced by Craig Melvin
“I said to my husband, ‘Hoda wants to call me, and she knows I’m at the airport. This can’t be good.’ I kind of had a feeling that it could be that,” she said.
Now that she’s gone, Guthrie shared that she is “heartbroken” to lose her work buddy. She’s also happy that she’s getting the time to relax after working so hard for so long.
“I’m also thrilled for her and proud of her. That is so gutsy to leave something you love at the height of your excellence and say, ‘I’m dreaming this bigger dream for myself.’”
Guthrie continued: “She was like, ‘I turned 60, and sure, I could do this wonderful thing with one hand tied behind my back for another 10 years,’ but she said, ‘I’m going to take a risk.’ Lucky [for] us that the perfect person was right there waiting in the wings. [Craig] has stepped into the role seamlessly.”
She also added that she thinks Kotb misses the show.
“I texted her [recently] and was like, ‘Are you still getting up at this hour?’ And she writes back, ‘Yes.’ I bet she misses all of us, but she’s really happy,” she said.
Kotb was replaced by Craig Melvin, who has worked at NBC and MSNBC since 2011. He has won several Emmy Awards for his work as a news anchor.
When he was announced as her replacement, Kotb left a surprise letter for him that included a poem. It said: “Craig! / I’m moving forward, so reach back your hand. / Grab the baton, your world will expand. / The adventures are endless … the people so dear. / Great memories await, year after year. / Day One! You are ready surrounded by love. / Your team is the kind you can only dream of. / Savannah, Al and Carson are here! / With partners like these, your runway is clear.
“From out on the plaza, to inside 30 Rock, / Your fans are so eager, they’re watching the clock. / The time has arrived to rise like the sun. / I am cheering for you, and a fabulous run!” the poem continued, as she signed off, “XOXO Hoda.”
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