Hey there! As a regular Today show viewer, you may be curious about the age and background of charismatic co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. I can confirm that yes, Savannah turned 51 on December 27, 2022!
It‘s hard to believe, because she looks so youthful and vibrant on camera. I‘ve done some digging into Savannah‘s early life, family, career progression, achievements, and more to give you a more complete picture of this beloved morning show host. Let‘s delve into the life story and success of the one and only Savannah Guthrie!
Brief Profile: Savannah Guthrie by the Numbers
- Born: December 27, 1971 in Melbourne, Australia (currently 51 years old)
- Moved to: Tucson, Arizona at age 2
- Education:
- University of Arizona (BA in Journalism, 1993)
- Georgetown University (JD, 2002)
- Married: Michael Feldman (2014-present)
- Children: Daughter Vale (b. 2016), Son Charley (b. 2018)
- Today Show Co-Anchor: Since 2012 (9 years and counting!)
- Annual Salary: $8 million
- Net Worth: Approximately $30 million
Now that we‘ve covered the very basics, let‘s dive deeper into Savannah‘s background and achievements over the years.
Roots Down Under: Early Life in Australia and Arizona
While Savannah Guthrie was born in Australia in 1971, she didn‘t actually grow up there. When she was only two years old, her family decided to return to the United States. They settled in Tucson, Arizona where Savannah spent the rest of her childhood.
Her father was an engineer who worked for the Australian government. But once back in the U.S., he started his own business consulting firm. Savannah‘s mother was also an engineer by training, but focused on raising Savannah and her older brother Cam.
From an early age, Savannah took an interest in reading and writing. In high school, she worked on the newspaper staff. Her reporting chops earned her a job at 15 years old covering high school sports for the local newspaper, the Arizona Daily Star.
After graduating from Amphitheater High School in Tucson in 1989, Savannah headed to the University of Arizona. She majored in journalism and graduated magna cum laude in 1993 at the age of 21.
Launching a Broadcast Journalism Career
Immediately after earning her journalism degree, Savannah landed her first TV reporting job. She headed back to Tucson and joined NBC affiliate KVOA, covering a variety of local stories. This allowed her to gain valuable on-air experience.
In 1995, ready for a bigger market, Savannah took a job as general assignment reporter for ABC affiliate WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. She covered major national stories for the next 7 years, including the September 11 terrorist attacks and the 2001 anthrax attacks.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, WRC news director Camille Edwards appreciated Guthrie‘s ability to "handle complex stories" and praised her "terrifically dry sense of humor."
In 2002, while still working at WRC-TV, Savannah graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center. She was Editor of the Law Review there as well.
Jumping from WRC to NBC News in 2004, Savannah became a correspondent based in D.C. She covered the Iraq War troop surge, the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections, and served as a legal analyst.
Her former Georgetown law professor Paul Rothstein described her as an "unbelievably quick study" and very adaptable to covering an array of topics.
The Fast Track to Co-Anchor of Today
After paying her dues as a correspondent, Savannah was named co-anchor of MSNBC‘s 9am show The Daily Rundown in 2007. This helped boost her popularity with morning show viewers.
In 2011, NBC announced Savannah would replace Ann Curry as co-host of the Today show. As a relative newcomer, Savannah had big shoes to fill alongside mainstay host Matt Lauer. But she quickly found her groove with a playful, relatable style.
Per Nielsen ratings, Today consistently won in total viewers during her first couple years. Savannah also earned praise for her insightful interviewing skills, with The New York Times calling her "an essential component of the show’s rehabilitation."
However, in the aftermath of Matt Lauer‘s firing in late 2017, Today‘s ratings briefly dropped behind Good Morning America. As the new female lead of the show, Savannah helped steady the ship through this turbulent time.
Today rebounded, and Savannah hit her stride as co-anchor with Hoda Kotb and Al Roker. Her legal background allows her to adeptly cover current events from new angles. And her quick wit keeps the show buzzing.
In 2021 and 2022, Today reclaimed the #1 spot in the mornings according to Nielsen. The New York Times credited Guthrie’s “skill and relentless preparation” as a key factor in the success.
Now comfortably settled in, Savannah celebrates over a decade on Today. She‘s completed major interviews with public figures like presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
According to Insider, Savannah renewed her contract in 2019. NBC pays her an eye-popping $8 million salary to keep delighting audiences each morning.
Savannah‘s Major Career Highlights and Accomplishments
In addition to her daily presence on Americans‘ TV screens, here are some stand-out accomplishments:
- Co-anchored NBC‘s coverage of major events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2013-present) and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting (2014-present)
- Co-hosted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2015
- Made Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2017
- Won two Daytime Emmy awards for NBC News Special Report in 2018 and 2020
- Authored two books: Princesses Wear Pants (2017 children’s book) and Where You Are Is Not Who You Are (2021 memoir)
Beyond the headlines, Savannah prioritizes charity work to give back. She serves on the board of the Tribeca Film Institute and has supported efforts like Hellman & Friedman’s 10,000 Women initiative for female entrepreneurs.
Savannah Guthrie‘s Net Worth and Salary
With her long tenure hosting a top national morning show, Savannah earns an impressive salary:
- Savannah Guthrie‘s annual salary: $8 million
- Her estimated net worth: $30 million
To provide context, here‘s how Guthrie‘s compensation compares to other popular morning show hosts:
| Morning Show Host | Estimated Annual Salary | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah Guthrie (Today) | $8 million | $30 million |
| Robin Roberts (GMA) | $15-18 million | $65 million |
| Gayle King (CBS) | $11 million | $40 million |
As you can see, Savannah earns less than competitors at Good Morning America and CBS This Morning. However, Today is known to pay co-anchors equally, while GMA and CBS differentiate pay more.
Overall, Guthrie takes home an impressive $8 million each year. Over her 30+ year journalism career, she has amassed a personal net worth around $30 million.
Balancing Career and Family Life
Now that we’ve covered Savannah’s professional milestones, let’s look at her personal life. This superstar anchor makes time for her family while conquering morning show duties.
In 2005, Savannah married BBC News presenter Mark Orchard, but divorced in 2009. She met political consultant Michael Feldman on a blind date in 2008. They began dating and got engaged in 2013.
Savannah and Michael tied the knot on March 15, 2014. Their intimate wedding took place at the Arizona Inn in Tucson. Guthrie later shared that motherhood had been a lifelong dream. At age 44, she gave birth to daughter Vale in 2016. Son Charley arrived in 2018.
Guthrie is stepmother to Feldman‘s son from a previous relationship. She has shared funny parenting stories on Today, like teaching her kids the lyrics to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s song “Rain on Me.”
Despite the early mornings, her family life appears joyful. She posts cute family photos on Instagram and bonds with Hoda Kotb, who also became a mom later in life.
In 2019, Savannah underwent surgery for a torn retina causing temporary vision loss. It was a scary time, but support from NBC and her family helped her recover fully by early 2020.
How Savannah Guthrie Stacks Up Against Other Morning Hosts
Among the big three morning shows, Savannah Guthrie stands out for her quick wit, legal experience and relatability. Here‘s how she compares to other hosts:
Robin Roberts
The long-time co-anchor of Good Morning America similarly balances serious new stories with lighthearted humor. One advantage is Roberts‘ history in sports broadcasting, making her comfortable ad-libbing on live TV. However, Guthrie wins points for her background in law and public policy.
Gayle King
As lead anchor for CBS This Morning, King infuses empathy and compassion into her interviews with newsmakers. She landed blockbuster interviews with R. Kelly and the Obamas. While not a trained journalist, King succeeds through dedication and rapport with guests. Savannah matches this ethic, but exceeds Gayle in traditional journalism experience.
Hoda Kotb
Today’s other captivating co-host, Kotb adds heart and charisma with vivid storytelling. As a breast cancer survivor, she inspires viewers by overcoming adversity. She and Guthrie have fantastic on-air chemistry. However, Savannah takes the edge with her fierce reporting instincts and quick, lighthearted wit.
George Stephanopoulos
The veteran anchor of Good Morning America is lauded for substantive interviews and in-depth analysis. With his extensive political experience, George scored sit-downs with President Trump. Savannah shares key strengths like smart analysis and engaging delivery. Her legal savvy gives her an edge on today‘s most pressing stories.
Why Savannah Guthrie’s Age Doesn’t Define Her Legacy
With her boundless energy and camera-ready glow, you may be surprised that Savannah Guthrie is in her 50s. She represents a new breed of female broadcaster succeeding on the national stage later in life.
Rather than age, it‘s Savannah’s versatility and relatability that distinguish her legacy:
Skillful interviewer – Whether sitting down with Jane Fonda or Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, Savannah asks thoughtful questions that make news. Her friendly demeanor puts guests at ease.
Legal acumen – Her law background enables insightful analysis of major news stories. Savannah can dive into the nuances of Supreme Court rulings, election issues, and scandals.
Quick wit – In between weighty segments, Savannah lightens the mood with her sense of humor. Alongside Hoda‘s mischievous spirit, the duo makes Today must-see morning entertainment.
Journalistic drive – Savannah boasts the hard news chops to tackle any story. She reported from the front lines of the Iraq War and covered political campaigns. This fire fuels her work.
Relatability – Whether joking about parenting fails or sharing health struggles, Savannah comes across as genuine and down-to-earth. Millions of viewers feel like they know her.
So you see, Savannah Guthrie has left an indelible mark on morning show TV through her multifaceted talents – not simply by reaching a certain age. If the next 50 years are anything like her first 5 decades, we‘re in for lots more unforgettable Savannah moments.
The Essentials: Your Savannah Guthrie FAQs Answered
I hope this deep dive into Savannah Guthrie‘s age, upbringing, career, family, and legacy was helpful for you as a fan! Here are quick answers to some common questions about this beloved co-anchor of Today:
How old is Savannah Guthrie?
Savannah just turned 51 years old on December 27, 2022.
When was Savannah Guthrie born?
She was born December 27, 1971 in Melbourne, Australia.
Where did Savannah Guthrie grow up?
Though born in Australia, she moved to Tucson, Arizona with her family at age 2.
What is Savannah Guthrie‘s ethnicity?
Her heritage is Caucasian. Both parents were Americans living in Australia temporarily.
How tall is Savannah Guthrie?
She is 5‘ 8" tall.
How much does Savannah Guthrie weigh?
While a woman never reveals, reports estimate she weighs around 143 pounds.
What religion is Savannah Guthrie?
She was raised Christian Science by her parents but does not practice today.
Where did Savannah Guthrie go to college?
She earned her bachelor‘s in journalism from the University of Arizona. She later got a law degree from Georgetown University.
Is Savannah Guthrie married?
Yes, she married Michael Feldman in 2014.
Who is Savannah Guthrie‘s husband?
Her husband is Michael Feldman, a political and communications consultant.
Does Savannah Guthrie have children?
Yes, she has a daughter, Vale, born in 2016 and a son, Charley, born in 2018.
How much money does Savannah Guthrie make?
She earns an impressive $8 million per year as co-anchor of Today.
What is Savannah Guthrie‘s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is $30 million.
Has Savannah Guthrie written any books?
Yes! She published a children‘s book called Princesses Wear Pants in 2017. She also published a memoir in 2021 titled Where You Are Is Not Who You Are: Lessons on Achieving Success and Happiness from a Decade at Today.
I hope you enjoyed this deep dive into the age, life, and career of the smart, charismatic, and talented journalist Savannah Guthrie! She continues to make mornings brighter for millions of viewers across America.
