NBC Today Show Anchor Savannah Guthrie Getting emotional in a candid live conversation Jenna Bush Hager On June 8, she revealed the toll her 84-year-old mother Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance continues to take on her family nearly four months after she disappeared from her home in Arizona.
During the fourth hour of the “Today” show, Guthrie admitted that returning to work after two months away from the show was one of the most difficult decisions she’s ever made.
“I’ve been trying to keep it going,” Guthrie said through tears. “I cry on the way to work every morning, and I cry on the way home every morning.”
Her comments come as investigators continue to search for answers in the high-profile missing persons case that has attracted national attention.
What did Savannah Guthrie say to her missing mother?
In a discussion with Bush Hager, Guthrie explained that returning to television provided a sense of purpose and normalcy, but the pain of not knowing what happened to her mother remained.
“I know maybe people are wondering, ‘What happened? How could she do this job? Did she not think about it? Did she forget about it?’ No, never,” Guthrie said.
The veteran journalist said she chose to return because her colleagues had become like family and the job gave her “a little bit of respite.”
“I don’t think I would even try to come back if I had any other kind of job, but I just feel like, ‘Well, what else should I do?'” she said.
She credits her mother with encouraging her to keep going. “My mom would say the same thing, like, ‘Honey, keep going, keep going.'” Me too,” Guthrie told Bush Hager.
Bush Hager praised her long-time colleague’s resilience and assured her of the Today team’s continued support.
“We have your back. We will always be with you,” Bush Hager said in an emotional exchange.
“My joy will be my protest”
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1 in Arizona. Authorities have previously said investigators believe the 84-year-old was removed from the residence against her will.
The Guthrie family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery. As the case remains unsolved, investigators continue to search for clues, conduct searches and interview potential witnesses.
Savannah initially quit “Today” after her mother went missing, before making an emotional return to the show on April 6.
“Okay, let’s do it. Ready or not, let’s do the news,” she told viewers during her first live broadcast. She also thanked supporters for their prayers, encouragement and messages during the family’s ordeal.
Savannah discussed her decision while speaking to her former co-host Hoda Kotb“, “I want to smile. When I smile, it will be real,” Guthrie said at the time. “My joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer. “
