Hoda Kotb Supports Savannah Guthrie's “Today” Show Return After Stepping in During Anchor's Absence: 'With You'
Hoda Kotb Supports Savannah Guthrie's “Today” Show Return After Stepping in During Anchor's Absence: 'With You'
Rachel McRadyMon, April 6, 2026 at 12:42 PM UTC
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Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb in 2024Credit: Debra L Rothenberg/WireImage -
Savannah Guthrie returned to the Today show after a two-month absence following her mother Nancy Guthrie's abduction in February
Hoda Kotb shared support for Guthrie on Instagram with a throwback photo and heartfelt message
Kotb co-anchored the morning program while Savannah was on leave
Hoda Kotb is showing her love for Savannah Guthrie.
On Monday, April 6, Savannah made her return to the Today show following a two-month absence after her mother, Nancy Guthrie, was abducted from her Tucson, Ariz., home on Feb. 1.
During Savannah's leave, former Today co-host Kotb, 61, stepped in to fill her seat at the anchor desk. Kotb originally exited the Today show in January 2025.
On April 6, Kotb was noticeably absent from the show, but she did share her support of her former colleague and friend from afar. She posted a throwback photo of Savannah with her children, Vale, 11, and Charley, 9, on Instagram with the caption, “With you xoxo.”
Savannah Guthrie with Vale and Charley on May 26, 2017Credit: Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
During the introduction to the April 6 broadcast, Savannah told co-anchor Craig Melvin, “It's good to be home."
“Yes, it's good to have you back at home,” Melvin told her.
“Well, here we go, ready or not,” Savannah added.
The anchor was dressed in a bright yellow dress, a nod to the yellow ribbons that friends and fans have been wearing in Nancy and Savannah’s honor.
Savannah Guthrie; Craig Melvin on April 6, 2026Credit: NBC
Before her return to the news desk, Savannah sat down with Kotb for an emotional interview in late March, where she discussed the ongoing investigation into her mother’s disappearance and the painful aftermath.
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While speaking with Kotb about her plan to return to Today, Savannah admitted it would be a challenge.
"It’s hard to imagine doing it because it’s such a place of joy and lightness and I can’t come back and try to be something that I’m not," Guthrie said of returning to Today. "But I can’t not come back because it’s my family. I think it’s part of my purpose right now. I want to smile. And when I do, it will be real. And my joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer. And being there is joyful. And when it’s not, I’ll say so. I have been so grateful to have this family. I consider this my family, my greater family, and when times are hard, you want to be with your family. And I want to be with my family."
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After the interview segment aired on March 27, Kobt announced Savannah's return date while at the news desk alongside Today's co-hosts. Weatherman Al Roker was quick to comment on the religious significance of April 6 and pointed out that it's the Monday after Easter Sunday.
"What’s wonderful, it’s almost symbolic after Easter and the resurrection, the rising, I think as a family we’ll hold hands and help her," Roker reflected.
Melvin marveled at the connection, saying, "Yes, yes, I had no thought about that. Yes."
"Of course you did, Mr. Roker," Kotb said, while Jenna Bush Hager, who attends the same church as Savannah added, "And [Savannah] had too, you know."
Anyone with information about Nancy's disappearance is asked to please contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department 520-351-4900.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
