Savannah Guthrie’s return date to “Today” was revealed in an emotional interview with Hoda Kotb about her mother Nancy’s disappearance.
After Savannah and Kotb’s sit-down aired on Friday morning’s show, Kotb and the other hosts confirmed that Savannah would return to the “Today” desk on Monday, April 6.
“She’s coming back to the job she loves here on Today,” Kotb told viewers, sitting next to co-hosts Jenna Bush Hager, Dylan Dreyer, Craig Melvin and Al Roker.
“We’re thrilled to be able to say she’ll be starting here on Monday, April 6th, sitting next to this amazing human being, Craig,” Kotb continued.
Melvin added of Savannah, “Because she’s not going to give in to the sadness. Joy will be her resistance. That’s where she belongs. That’s where we all want her to be. That’s where we want Savannah to be.”
“We can’t wait to welcome her back here at Studio 1A with open arms.”
Melvin, who co-hosts the first two hours of Today with Savannah, also said there hasn’t been a day since Savannah went off the air more than seven weeks ago that fans haven’t asked when she’s coming back.
“What’s great is that it’s become a symbol after Easter, so as a family we’re going to join hands and help her,” Roker said.
Kotb, who returned to Today on an interim basis during Savannah’s absence despite her exit from the show in January 2025, noted that the morning show has been a “main pillar of normalcy” in Savannah’s life amid the “chaotic” situation Savannah is facing.
The Joy 101 founder also said Savannah’s return will be a “beautiful reunion” for organizers.
In an interview with Kotb, Savannah admitted that it was “hard to imagine” returning to “Today” as her mother, Nancy, remains missing.
“I can’t come back and try to be a different person. But I can’t afford not to go back, because that’s part of my purpose now,” the journalist said.
“I want to smile, and when I smile, it becomes genuine. My joy becomes my protest, and my joy becomes my answer. It’s fun to be there. When I don’t, I’ll say so.”
Savannah added, “So I don’t know if I can do it. I don’t know if I belong anymore. But I want to try, but I’ll never be the same. But maybe it’s like the old poem, ‘Beautiful in broken places.'”
Savannah, 54, has not appeared on “Today” since Nancy, 84, disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31st.
The reporter also withdrew from covering the 2026 Winter Olympics to be held in Milan, Italy.
Last week, Page Six exclusively reported that Savannah could return to the morning show as early as April, after her children’s spring break ends.
Savannah reportedly wants to spend as much time as possible with husband Michael Feldman, daughter Vale, 11, and son Charlie, nine, before returning to the spotlight.
A source also said that Kotb has a busy schedule for the release of the Joy 101 app, which could pave the way for Savannah’s return.
However, insiders pointed out that even if Kotb is unavailable, a replacement anchor is in place.
Shortly after Nancy was apparently kidnapped, we reported that Savannah would not be on the air “for the foreseeable future.”
“The entire program and network stands together to support our beloved colleagues and friends as we navigate these unimaginable times,” an NBC source told Us at the time.
Another source added: “Everyone at Today is taking this situation day by day and of course giving Savannah the grace, time and support she needs.”
Savannah returned to the Today studio in New York City on March 5th.
She was photographed crying while hugging a co-worker, thanking them for “caring about my mother as much as I do.”
“I wanted you to know that I’m still standing, that there’s still hope, that I’m still me,” she said. “And I don’t know what version of me that will be, but it will be.”
After the emotional reunion, co-host Jenna Bush Hager told viewers that Savannah “is willing to return to the show.”
Bush Hager added, “It feels like the hardest thing to do, but this is her home and a place where she feels loved.”
“Whenever (she) is ready, I’ll be here,” Shinelle Jones chimed in.
