Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin's public crises are latest for 'Today' family

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAYSat, August 1, 2026 at 2:01 PM UTC

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The "Today" show calls itself a family – one that has broadcast into America's homes each weekday morning for more than seven decades.

Over that remarkable run, the "Today" family has endured an extraordinary amount of public heartbreak, with its recognizable stars repeatedly leaning on and supporting one another through life's most devastating moments.

Six months ago, Savannah Guthrie's missing mother became the latest – and most profound – crisis to shake the normally upbeat crew, playing out publicly and on the air from New York City's famously windowed Studio 1A.

In news that shook the nation, Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona home on Sunday, Feb. 1, with police stating she was "taken from her home against her will." A devastated Savannah took a leave of absence from "Today" on Feb. 2 and withdrew from hosting the Feb. 6 Olympic opening ceremony in Milan-Cortina, urging fans on Instagram, "Please pray."

Six months later, the investigation remains active but unsolved, with no suspects. The Guthrie family continues to offer a $1 million reward for information, in addition to the FBI's $100,000 reward.

Nancy's kidnapping is a shocking and deeply unusual tragedy, but it is far from the only trauma that the members of the "Today" show have endured. From cancer to the death of spouses to mental health challenges, the hosts have experienced a large share of intense struggles over the years – sharing and processing these hardships with millions of viewers, sometimes in real time.

Here's how the "Today" family has dealt with this ongoing personal crisis and other devastating life events in the past, and how they've stepped up for one another time and again.

A 'Today' show intruder confronted Craig Melvin before the broadcast

On July 16, a frightening security breach unfolded when an intruder eluded Studio 1A security and confronted co-anchor Craig Melvin before the live broadcast, allegedly hurling a racial slur at Melvin. Andrew Truelove, 41, was taken into custody and charged with burglary as well as menacing, with both charges as hate crimes. Truelove was allegedly looking for weatherman Al Roker when he encountered Melvin, 47, by a stairwell.

Following the July 16 broadcast, Melvin took to Instagram to reassure fans.

"I've heard from so many of you over the last few hours. I'm doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out," he wrote in the post. "I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning."

Hota Kotb battled breast cancer, daughter Hope's medical condition

Hoda Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2007, which she shared candidly on "Today." After a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in March 2007, Kotb was inspired to tell NBC brass that she wanted to be the new host of the fourth hour of the "Today" show, a role that became a reality with Kathie Lee Gifford in October 2007.

In early 2023, Kotb took a two-week leave of absence from "Today." When she returned to the show in March of that year, she revealed to Guthrie and viewers that she had been caring for her youngest daughter, Hope, in the hospital's intensive care unit.

"I'm grateful to my family, and to friends like you who were there every single day," Kotb said, her voice cracking in emotion. "I'm so grateful she's home. I was waiting for that day to come."

Kotb, 61, later exited "Today" for good, sharing a tearful on-air goodbye on Jan. 10, 2025. In May of that year, Kotb returned as a guest and revealed on air that Hope’s Type 1 diabetes "definitely weighed in" on her decision to step away from her 26-year career.

Sheinelle Jones loses husband Uche Ojeh after brain cancer diagnosis

In January 2025, Sheinelle Jones shared in a statement to "Today" viewers that she was "taking time to deal with a family health matter."

In May of that year, Guthrie revealed on "Today" that Jones' husband, Uche Ojeh, who had been privately dealing with an aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma, had died at 45 "after a courageous battle." The couple wed in 2007 after meeting at Northwestern University.

Jones returned to the show Sept. 5, 2025, speaking with Guthrie about her time with her husband and their three children – Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche, 13.

"It's a beautiful nightmare," Jones said of the tragedy, also telling her friend that "my heart is shattered in a million pieces."

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Jones reflected on the death of her husband on his Feb. 4 birthday, highlighting the significance of the date – and her family's new reality – at the start of the "Today" show.

"I've just been so busy that I think I underestimated how tough this one would be," Jones shared with viewers. "And in some ways, it's harder than Thanksgiving or Christmas, because you know those are coming. And everybody knows it with you. So you're fortified. You're fortified with love and calls, but this is one of those where it's just kind of this tribe and the people in our family. So I've had a lot of texts today, because they understand that."

Al Roker shared prostate cancer diagnosis

In November 2020, Al Roker revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer during the show, saying that he would undergo surgery to have his prostate removed the next week.

"It's a good news/bad news kind of thing," Roker said. "Good news is we caught it early. Not-great news is that it's a little aggressive, so I'm going to be taking some time off to take care of this."

In the years since, Roker has periodically reflected on that journey on-air – marking milestones like his fifth surgery anniversary, discussing how his experience has changed his life, and urging viewers to get regular screenings.

Katie Couric returned to 'Today' after husband's death

The litany of devastation for "Today" anchors is not limited to the current lineup. Katie Couric, who hosted the program from 1991-2006, also faced personal hardships during her long tenure. Her husband, Jay Monahan, was just 42 when he died in 1998 from colorectal cancer.

When Couric returned after her bereavement to co-host "Today" on Feb. 24, 1998, the TV moment became one of the most powerful in the show's history. "Many of you know I lost my husband, Jay Monahan, my loving and beloved husband, last month," Couric said, opening the broadcast. "Words alone cannot describe how devastating this loss has been to me and my daughters and all of Jay's family."

After thanking viewers for the cards and letters, Couric honored "all of you who might be struggling with a life-threatening disease right now."

"Just know that my heart goes out to you," she said.

Meredith Vieira left 'Today' to be with her husband, Richard Cohen

Meredith Vieira, who took over as host from Couric in 2006, announced her departure from “Today” on May 9, 2011, saying she wanted to spend more time with her family, including her husband, Richard Cohen, who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

“It's a difficult day for me. I’m going to hold myself together here,” Vieira said, sitting on the couch with her colleagues. “Time is one of those weird things you can never get enough of. It's ticking away. And I know I want to spend more of mine with my husband Richard."

Vieira also told Kotb during a 2022 appearance on "Today" that it was "the best job, but it wasn't the right job for me at that time."

Over the years, the couple often appeared on "Today" to speak candidly about living with the illness, caregiving and resilience. When Cohen died at age 76 on Dec. 24, 2025, the accomplished journalist and father of three was honored with a tribute on the "Today" show.

Carson Daly opened up about his anxiety on 'Today'

In 2018, "Today" show's Carson Daly, known for his 1990s-2000s run as the host of MTV's "Total Request Live," got vulnerable with his co-hosts and viewers. Daly revealed his inner battle with anxiety on the air, saying it was the way he was born.

"It's something I cannot change about myself," Daly said. "In fact, it's OK, I've learned to embrace it. There's a downside to the way that God made me. And a tremendous upside as well."

Daly advocated seeking help from a professional psychotherapist.

"We're so proud of you," Kotb told Daly after his piece aired.

Contributing: Erin Jensen, Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin's public crises are latest for 'Today' family

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