Savannah Guthrie shares a deep connection with her mother, Nancy. A little while back, Savannah, now 54, discussed with “Today” co-host Jenna Bush Hager how Nancy’s sacrifices paved the way for her career.
“I was in high school when my father passed away, and after that, I lived at home through college,” Savannah explained. “We couldn’t afford dorms, but more importantly, my sister and I felt it was best to stay with Mom and not leave her alone.”
Reflecting on a tough moment, Savannah added, “When we moved to Butte, Montana, it was difficult to leave her behind.” Nancy was incredibly supportive as Savannah embarked on her first reporting job in Montana at age 21.
“She told me, ‘If you can’t leave me, I wasn’t doing my job right,'” Savannah recalled. “That gave me the nudge I needed to go.” It was a pivotal lesson from her mom, who, after losing Savannah’s father, encouraged her to chase her dreams, even if it meant moving away.
“It would’ve been easy for her to hold onto me, suggesting, ‘Maybe we can find something closer, Savannah,'” Savannah said. But Nancy wanted to empower her daughter to achieve her broadcasting goals, not keep her at home.
This wisdom became essential for Savannah, who now has two kids, Vale, 11, and Charlie, 9, with her husband, Michael Feldman. Savannah shared, “Instead of doing everything for your kids, it’s better to teach them independence. They shouldn’t rely solely on us.”
Growing up in Tucson, Arizona, Savannah faced a devastating loss when her father, Charles, died suddenly of a heart attack when she was just 16. She described that moment as “shocking and heartbreaking,” tearing the family apart.
Nancy became a cornerstone in her life. She was seen on “Today” multiple times when Savannah returned to her hometown in November.
Recently, Nancy was reported missing after being last seen at her home in Catalina Foothills around 9:30 p.m. one Saturday. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office took over the search, now involving homicide detectives, due to concerns over Nancy’s health as she is deemed a “vulnerable adult.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nano expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “We’re very worried. This type of case is typically concerning.” He articulated the seriousness of the circumstances surrounding Nancy’s disappearance.
On Monday, Savannah missed the “Today” show but issued a statement regarding her mother’s situation, thanking everyone for their support. “Our priority is to ensure the safe return of our beloved mother,” she stated, also appreciating law enforcement’s diligent efforts and encouraging anyone with information to reach out to the authorities.
