All About Savannah Guthrie

Who Is Savannah Guthrie? NBC’s Powerhouse Anchor and Legal Expert

Savannah Guthrie is one of America’s most recognized broadcast journalists, best known as the co-anchor of NBC’s Today show — a role she has held since July 2012.

Here are the key facts at a glance:

• Full name: Savannah Clark Guthrie
• Born: December 27, 1971, in Melbourne, Australia (raised in Tucson, Arizona)
• Current role: Co-anchor, Today (NBC); Chief Legal Correspondent, NBC News
• Education: B.A. in Journalism, University of Arizona (1993, cum laude); J.D., Georgetown University Law Center (2002, magna cum laude)
• Notable distinction: Received the highest score on the Arizona Bar Exam in 2002
• Family: Married to Michael Feldman since 2014; mother of daughter Vale (born 2014) and son Charles (born 2016)
• Awards: Daytime Emmy (2020), Edward R. Murrow Award, Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame (2022)

What makes Guthrie stand out isn’t just her on-screen presence. She is a fully licensed attorney who once worked in white-collar criminal defense — a background that shapes how she questions presidents, covers trials, and moderates major political debates.

She has interviewed every U.S. president from George W. Bush to Donald Trump. She has moderated presidential debates. She has hosted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for over a decade. And in early 2026, she faced deeply personal challenges — vocal cord surgery and the sudden, alarming disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie.

This is a woman who blends legal sharpness with journalistic heart, and her story is far more layered than most viewers realize.

The Legal Mind of Savannah Guthrie: Education and Early Career

When we look at the polished anchor sitting on the Today set in Rockefeller Center, it is easy to forget that Savannah Guthrie nearly took a very different path. While she is a mainstay of New York morning television, her roots are firmly planted in the Southwest, where her intellectual rigor first began to shine.

Guthrie attended the University of Arizona, where she pursued her passion for storytelling. She graduated cum laude in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism. Even then, her peers and professors noted her drive. It was this foundation that led to her early roles in local broadcasting, but Savannah had an itch for a deeper understanding of the systems she was reporting on.

This curiosity led her to the prestigious Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. Her time at Georgetown was nothing short of spectacular. She didn’t just pass; she thrived, graduating magna cum laude in 2002. She was also inducted into the Order of the Coif, an honor reserved for the top academic tier of law students.

Perhaps her most impressive academic feat occurred shortly after graduation. When she sat for the Arizona Bar Exam in 2002, she didn’t just pass—she earned the highest score in the entire state for that year. This wasn’t just a “good job”; it was a statement of intellectual dominance. We often see this same precision today when she is deconstructing a complex legal ruling on air.

Her legal career was brief but high-stakes. She joined the firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where she worked as a litigation associate specializing in white-collar criminal defense. This “real world” legal experience provided her with a unique lens through which to view the news. However, the pull of the camera was too strong. She eventually transitioned to CourtTV, serving as a trial correspondent and covering high-profile cases like the Michael Jackson child molestation trial and the Samuel Alito confirmation hearings.

As noted in the UA Journalism graduate Savannah Guthrie named “Today Show” co-host announcement, her transition back to journalism was a homecoming of sorts, blending her two greatest strengths: the law and the lens.

From Litigation to the White House with Savannah Guthrie

Savannah’s ascent at NBC News was rapid, fueled by her ability to synthesize complex political and legal maneuvers. By 2008, she was named a White House Correspondent. This was a pivotal time in American history, as she covered the tail end of the Bush administration and the historic election of Barack Obama.

During the 2008 campaign, she was a fixture on the trail, notably providing extensive coverage of Sarah Palin’s vice-presidential run. Her work during this cycle earned her a News & Documentary Emmy as part of the NBC team. It was during these years that the public began to realize, as mentioned in A Reminder: Savannah Guthrie Is an Attorney – Washingtonian, that her legal background gave her a distinct edge. She wasn’t just asking “what” happened; she was asking “why” it was legal and what the constitutional ramifications were.

One of her most significant reporting moments came in May 2011, when she broke exclusive details surrounding the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Her ability to remain calm while delivering world-altering news solidified her status as a top-tier journalist. Shortly thereafter, she moved to the Today show, initially as a co-host of the third hour before being elevated to the main anchor desk.

Major Milestones and High-Profile Interviews at NBC News

In July 2012, Savannah Guthrie stepped into one of the most visible roles in media, replacing Ann Curry as the co-anchor of Today. It was a time of transition for the show, but Savannah’s chemistry with her colleagues and her sharp interviewing style helped stabilize the program. She was also named NBC News’ Chief Legal Correspondent, a title she still holds today.

Her interview portfolio is a “who’s who” of global power. She has sat down with heads of state, tech titans, and cultural icons. Her style is often described as “the velvet hammer”—polite and professional, but relentless in the pursuit of a straight answer.

One of her most discussed moments occurred during the 2020 Presidential election cycle. Savannah moderated a town hall with then-President Donald Trump. For 60 minutes, she pressed him on his COVID-19 response, his personal debts, and his stance on the QAnon conspiracy theory. Her performance was widely hailed by critics for its preparation and her refusal to let the President dodge questions.

Interview Subject	Key Topic	Notable Moment
Donald Trump	2020 Town Hall	Pressing on QAnon and COVID-19 response
Barack Obama	White House Sit-down	Discussing the Affordable Care Act and legacy
George W. Bush	Post-Presidency	Exclusive on his paintings and life after office
Amber Heard	Post-Trial Exclusive	First sit-down after the Johnny Depp verdict
Mark Zuckerberg	Data Privacy	Questioning Facebook’s role in election integrity

Beyond politics, she has secured exclusives that dominated the cultural conversation. Her interview with Amber Heard following the Johnny Depp trial was a masterclass in neutral but probing journalism. She has also interviewed Prince Harry, Boris Johnson, and Bill Gates, often finding the human element behind the headlines.

Iconic Hosting Roles and the Career of Savannah Guthrie

While she is a serious journalist, Savannah also embraces the “infotainment” side of morning television with grace. Since 2012, she has been a co-host of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a 13-year streak that has made her a part of millions of families’ holiday traditions. Whether she’s talking to a giant Snoopy balloon or a Broadway star, her enthusiasm is infectious.

Her hosting duties extend to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, another New York staple. We love seeing her represent the city’s sophistication during these iconic events. Her reach also extends to the global stage; she has anchored coverage for multiple Winter and Summer Olympics, bringing the stories of athletes into American living rooms.

In 2021, she even stepped behind the lectern as a guest host for Jeopardy!, a role that required the exact kind of intellectual quickness she’s known for. Her career has been punctuated by numerous accolades, including a Daytime Emmy Award in 2020 for Outstanding Morning Program and her 2022 induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.

Personal Life: Marriages, Children, and Authorship

Savannah’s personal life has often been shared with her viewers, creating a deep bond of trust. Her first marriage was to journalist Mark Orchard, which ended in divorce in 2009. However, she found lasting love with Michael Feldman, a communications strategist. The couple met on a vacation in the Turks and Caicos and married on March 15, 2014.

Their wedding was doubly celebratory, as Savannah revealed to her guests (and later the world) that she was four months pregnant. Her journey to motherhood was not without its hurdles. She has been incredibly open about using IVF to conceive her second child. In the article Savannah Guthrie opens up about IVF journey: ‘Charley was a medical miracle’, she shared the emotional and physical toll of the process, hoping to inspire other women facing similar struggles.

Today, she is the proud mother of daughter Vale (born 2014) and son Charles “Charley” (born 2016). We often see glimpses of her life as a “Today Show Mom,” balancing the grueling early-morning schedule with the demands of raising two young children in New York.

Beyond the newsroom, Savannah is a prolific author. She has written several books that reflect her diverse interests:

• Mostly What God Does: A New York Times bestseller where she explores her faith and the presence of divine love in everyday life.
• Princesses Wear Pants: A charming children’s book (co-authored with Allison Oppenheim) that encourages girls to be bold and practical.
• Princesses Save the World: The successful sequel to her first children’s book.

Her literary success even led to her becoming an executive producer for the Netflix animated series Princess Power, based on her book series. This move into production shows her versatility and her commitment to positive storytelling for the next generation.

Recent Challenges: Health Struggles and the Search for Nancy Guthrie

The start of 2026 brought a series of trials for Savannah Guthrie that tested her resilience. In January, she underwent vocal cord surgery to address ongoing issues with her voice, likely exacerbated by the demands of daily broadcasting and a diagnosis of silent reflux.

During her recovery, she made a “silent appearance” on the Today show, communicating via signs and pre-written messages. As detailed in Savannah Guthrie Makes Silent Appearance on ‘Today’ After Vocal Cord Surgery, she even shared hilarious messages from her kids about how much they enjoyed the “quiet” at home.

However, the levity was short-lived. In February 2026, a family crisis emerged that shocked the nation. Savannah’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing in Arizona. The situation quickly escalated, with the FBI becoming involved and local authorities suspecting foul play after blood stains were discovered and security footage showed a masked man near the property.

This heartbreaking situation forced Savannah to pull out of her scheduled coverage for the Winter Olympics. She issued a moving plea on social media for her mother’s safe return, stating that her family’s focus remained entirely on finding Nancy. The investigation is ongoing, and the journalism community has rallied around her during this unimaginably difficult time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Savannah Guthrie

Where was Savannah Guthrie born?

Savannah Guthrie was born in Melbourne, Australia, on December 27, 1971. Her father was stationed there for work at the time. However, she moved back to the United States when she was only two years old and was raised in Tucson, Arizona. She considers herself a Tucson native but has spoken fondly of her “lifelong dream” to return to Australia, which she finally did for a Today show segment in 2015.

Is Savannah Guthrie still a practicing lawyer?

While she is not currently representing clients in a courtroom, Savannah remains a member of the bar. Her legal expertise is a core part of her professional identity at NBC News, where she serves as the Chief Legal Correspondent. She uses her J.D. from Georgetown and her experience at Akin Gump to provide expert analysis on Supreme Court rulings, criminal trials, and legislative changes.

What books has Savannah Guthrie written?

Savannah is a versatile author. Her most recent book for adults is Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere, which became a New York Times bestseller. For younger readers, she co-authored the Princesses Wear Pants series, which has been adapted into a Netflix show. Her writing often blends her personal values, her faith, and her desire to empower young girls.

Conclusion

Savannah Guthrie represents the pinnacle of modern broadcast journalism. She is a rare talent who can transition seamlessly from a high-stakes legal analysis to a lighthearted interview with a Hollywood star. Her journey from the top of the Arizona Bar Exam to the anchor desk of the Today show is a testament to her intellect and her work ethic.

At PARK Ave Magazine LLC, we admire her sophisticated blend of urban living and professional integrity. Whether she is advocating for philanthropy, sharing her health journey, or navigating a deeply personal family crisis with grace, she remains a beacon of strength and sophistication in the New York media landscape. Her story reminds us that even at the height of success, it is our roots, our family, and our faith that sustain us.

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