For over a decade, loyal viewers of NBC’s “Today” show have become familiar with Nancy Guthrie, the respected mother of longtime host Savannah Guthrie. Recently, Savannah expressed her deep concern for her 84-year-old mother, who was reported missing after authorities suggested she had been taken against her will from her home in Tucson, Arizona, where she lived alone.
As investigators reported that they do not believe the incident was a robbery or a kidnapping-for-ransom plot, they encouraged the public to assist with tips. Despite their efforts, little new information has been revealed regarding any evidence from Nancy’s home or an exact timeline of her abduction. The situation has profoundly impacted NBC’s flagship morning show, which has seen Nancy Guthrie make various appearances, from cooking segments to surprise visits with her daughter, Savannah.
On Tuesday's broadcast, Jenna Bush Hager, one of the show’s hosts, expressed how deeply personal this situation is for those who know and love Nancy. Savannah, absent from the anchor's desk during the broadcast, has often characterized her mother as adventurous, curious, and selfless. She highlighted Nancy’s ability to tackle unthinkable challenges with determination and faith, which has been a guiding force in the family’s life. In a touching tribute during an interview in 2022, Savannah said, “She has met unthinkable challenges in her life with grit, without self-pity, with determination, and always, always with unshakeable faith.”
Savannah credited her mother with holding their family together following the sudden death of her father due to a heart attack at age 49 in 1988. As the youngest of three siblings at just 16 years old, Savannah recalled how her family attempted to adjust after the tragic event. “When my dad died, our family just hung onto each other for dear life because it was such a shock,” she stated in a 2017 “Today” segment, describing the struggle of transitioning from a family of five to a new dynamic as a family of four.
The Guthrie family originally moved to Tucson in the 1970s after living in various locations, including Australia, where Savannah was born. Following her father’s death, both Savannah and her sister Annie chose to live at home during their college years, ensuring that their mother was not alone on weekends. Annie reflected on Nancy’s remarkable ability to create a stable foundation for the family during difficult times, noting her unique and amazing role as a mother.
Savannah has consistently expressed that her mother serves as her inspiration, vowing to emulate the qualities that Nancy embodies. In an Instagram post celebrating her mother’s birthday in 2020, she wrote, “My mom Nancy is my heart and my everything and my model for what a mother should be.” The warmth and admiration Savannah holds for her mother resonate deeply with viewers and the broader audience, amplifying the urgency of the search for Nancy Guthrie.
