Savannah Guthrie has confirmed she is taking an unexpected break from the Today show as she prepares to undergo vocal surgery following a long-running health issue that she has quietly battled for years.
The 53-year-old co-anchor addressed viewers directly during Friday morning’s broadcast, revealing that her increasingly hoarse and cracking voice had finally been diagnosed.
“Some of you may have noticed my voice has been very scratchy and has started to crack,” Savannah said on air. “Well, I found out what it is.”
Doctors have discovered that Guthrie has vocal nodules and a polyp on her vocal cords — a condition that will require surgery early in the new year, followed by a period of complete vocal rest.
“It’s not a big, big deal,” she reassured fans. “But I will need surgery and I’ll be off for a couple of weeks. So this is my last day for a little while.”
Savannah, who has been a mainstay on Today since 2012 and currently co-hosts alongside Craig Melvin, admitted the issue has been lingering far longer than most viewers realised.
“This has been going on for years, honestly,” she shared. “So to finally have a solution feels incredibly positive.”
A ‘Totally Silent’ Recovery
After the procedure, Savannah will be required to remain “totally silent” while she heals — a daunting challenge for a broadcaster whose entire career depends on her voice.
Her Today colleagues quickly rallied around her live on air. Sheinelle Jones, who previously underwent the same surgery, offered reassurance from personal experience.
“I had the same thing — the surgery is in and out,” Sheinelle said. “The silver lining is you’re given permission to be still. The house gets quiet. The kids want to help.”
In a lighter moment, Sheinelle even presented Savannah with a whiteboard so she can communicate during her silent recovery.
Craig Melvin added his own message of support, telling her: “We wish you healing and a smooth recovery.”
NBC has yet to confirm an exact return date for Savannah’s comeback.
Not Her First Health Battle
This is not the first time Savannah has had to step away from the Today desk for medical reasons. In recent years, she endured a terrifying eye injury when her young son accidentally struck her eye with a toy train in 2019.
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The incident caused temporary vision loss and required retinal detachment surgery, cataract surgery and multiple laser treatments.
“That was probably the lowest I felt,” Savannah once said of the ordeal. “I was really scared I might lose my sight.”
A Familiar Face Steps Away — For Now
A mother of two, Savannah shares daughter Vale, 11, and son Charley, 9, with her husband Mike Feldman. For now, viewers will have to wait patiently as she focuses on recovery — but her calm, heartfelt farewell made it clear this is only a pause, not an ending.
As Savannah herself put it: this isn’t goodbye — just a moment to heal.
