‘Today’ Host Savannah Guthrie Talks Bold Leap That Shaped Her Destiny

Savannah Guthrie is embracing an exciting new chapter in her life. With a thriving journalism career and a recently published book, the 53-year-old anchor of NBC’s Today is at the peak of her professional journey. But despite her current success, she admits she wasn’t always confident about where her career would lead.

In a candid interview, Savannah shared her reflections, saying she’s ultimately grateful for the risks she took along the way.

A Career at Its Peak

For many journalists, securing a spot on a major network is the ultimate dream. Despite being in the limelight for years, Savannah remains deeply appreciative of her position on Today and the impact the show has on its audience.

“It’s bigger than any individual, and we all know that,” she said in an interview with PEOPLE. Reflecting on her colleague Craig Melvin’s journey, she added, “I’m happy for Craig. I mean, his parents and his kids came. He got to have that moment where he reflected on where he’s been and how far he’s come. And that’s a beautiful part of this journey. And those mountaintop moments, they don’t come every day. You really do have to soak them in.”

When asked how often she thinks about her own mountaintop moments, Savannah laughed and admitted, “I would say never.” However, she remains incredibly aware of how fortunate she is.

“I know how blessed I am. I know how improbable it is that of all people on planet Earth, that it would be me. That this little spark of a secret dream that I might’ve had in my twenties could actually come true, so specifically. And of course, I see God’s fingerprints all over it. God is greater than any plans or any of our screw-ups. That’s what I’ve learned. I know — I know how lucky I am.”

Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome

Although Savannah is a defining presence on Today, her journey to NBC wasn’t straightforward. She admits that self-doubt still creeps in, and she sometimes marvels at how she got to where she is now.

“Nobody was like, ‘There’s a natural talent!’ At all!” she recalled of her early years. “No one. And by the way, certainly not in high school when I was ditching class and smoking cigarettes at Denny’s and barely got into college and almost didn’t pass the SAT. Not then, and not even when I started in local news and had my first job and my hair was terrible, my voice was insane, and I didn’t know what I was doing. I was there! I know how unlikely this is. If I had seen me, if anyone had seen me, it would be the last person you would ever say, ‘Boy, that one’s got potential.’ It’s the truth!”

Despite the challenges, she believes that success often comes from perseverance and faith.

Savannah’s journey serves as a reminder that success isn’t always about raw talent—it’s about persistence, faith, and believing in something bigger than yourself.

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