Hoda Kotb Returns Amid Savannah Guthrie’s Absence

The “Today” show host has stepped onto the plate after previously announcing her exit, filling in for her longtime co-host as the case of the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, intensifies. Nancy has been missing for almost a month, while her daughter stepped away from her career to focus on the search.

Hoda Kotb rearranging her plans to fill in for Savannah Guthrie is a demonstration and a testament to the family spirit they proclaim on the “Today” show.

Reality has Kotb back on the “Today” anchor list sooner than anyone expected, and her time frame might extend longer than anticipated. It has been confirmed that she will continue to host the morning show alongside Craig Melvin, as Guthrie remains absent.

Guthrie has extended her time off from appearing on camera, as her mother, Nancy, has yet to be found. The search for Nancy has been ongoing in Arizona for almost a month since news broke out about her disappearance on February 1.

The reports show that Nancy went missing from her home in Tucson hours after being dropped off by family members. The silence on the case is deafening, as there has been no news of a request for ransom by kidnappers, notwithstanding the Guthrie family still believes “in a miracle,” bearing hopes that Nancy will be returned.

Kotb returned to the NBC morning show on February 6 to work with Melvin after her former co-host stepped away on February 2 amid her mother’s disappearance, and they continue to provide the viewers with daily updates.

With the authorities yet to make any positive progress on the case, it is uncertain how long Kotb will fill in for Guthrie. As it stands, the “Today” show viewers will have Kotb on screen for the foreseeable future.

Kotb is not a new face on the morning show, as she had worked with NBC for nearly thirty years before she decided to step into a new chapter of her life. She and Guthrie had hosted the TV show together since 2018 until she parted ways with it in January 2025. 

US Weekly shared that Kotb made the announcement of her departure in September 2024 and has since appeared back on the show occasionally since her final episode.

“I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and to try something new. This is the right time for me to move on,” she said during the emotional announcement. Guthrie, by her side, stated how much they love her and could not imagine the set without her.

The 61-year-old longtime journalist further explained that the main reason why she was leaving was her daughters, Haley and Hope. She also released an official statement to the show’s website announcing her exit.

“As I write this, my heart is all over the map,” Kotb’s statement on Today.com began. “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you, and it’s time for me to leave the show.”

The days since her disappearance are close to a month, and while the search for the 84-year-old is still ongoing, authorities have yet to uncover any significant leads.

Authorities have yet to name a suspect connected with her disappearance despite the FBI releasing footage of the possible assailant earlier this month, as taken from Nancy’s security cameras.

Some issues have arisen regarding the camera footage, as it has come to light that Guthrie had not paid the regular subscription for the camera’s cloud storage. With this development, it is difficult to establish a timestamp and determine exactly when the photo of the potential suspect was taken.

The Blast shared that FBI Director Kash Patel previously stated that the photo was taken on the morning of her disappearance. With this, the likelihood that Nancy’s case could become a “cold case” is high, while the FBI believes there is still hope of a positive outcome.

Meanwhile, Guthrie has put out a $1 million reward for any information that leads to her mother’s recovery, which will be paid in accordance with FBI criteria for compensation in the case.

The journalist posted emotional messages on social media, asking anyone with information that could help their case to come forward. She also pleaded that people “pray without ceasing” as they hold on to the faith that Nancy will come back home.

“Tell what you know and help us bring our beloved mom home so that we can either celebrate a glorious, miraculous homecoming or celebrate the beautiful, brave, noble, and courageous life that she has lived. Please be the light in the dark,” she said.

In another Instagram video, she acknowledged that her mom might already be gone, but they were holding on to a seed of faith. “We know that millions of you have been praying. So many people have been praying for every faith and no faith at all, praying for her return, and we feel those prayers,” she added. “Please keep praying without ceasing. We still believe.”

Guthrie’s fans flooded the comments with prayers, well-wishes, and hope for the journalist. The Blast also notes that while she receives support online, volunteers in the community started search groups to assist in finding Nancy.

Stepping in to co-host the morning show with Melvin amid Guthrie’s absence is one way Kotb has shown support for her friend. PEOPLE reported that she forgoed her trip to Milan, Italy, to cover the Winter Olympics for NBC as well. 

“You know what, Craig? We always talk about our show as a family. We are a family,” Kotb said as they discussed the search for Nancy. “I’m part of the family. I’m happy to be with you because we show up for each other.”

She also shared a message of hope, echoing that her thoughts were with her former co-host and family twelve days after Nancy was reported missing. “Hope is believing that they are held, even when we cannot hold them,” Kotb wrote on her Instagram stories over a white background, with “A Gentle Sunlight” by James Quinn as the background music.