Savannah Guthrie Not Ready for Hoda Kotb'sTodayExit: 'If I Had My Way, We'd Be Together Forever' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie at 92NY on February 22, 2024 in New York City.Photo:Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Savannah Guthrieis going to keep things going afterHoda Kotbexits theTodayshow.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Gala on Thursday, Oct. 10, the broadcaster, 52, revealed that she will hold down the fort when her beloved co-host, 60, departs next year.

“I’ll hold it down,” Guthrie tells PEOPLE. “I got my Carson [Daly] and Craig [Melvin]. The whole crew.”

The broadcaster also opened up about her reaction when she first learned that Kotb would be leaving the NBC show.

“Well, I would say I was shocked but not surprised because she and I have had many, many conversations about life and what does it mean in our hopes and our dreams, and I knew that 60 was a big moment and where she’s thinking a lot about just how she wants to spend the rest of her day,” Guthrie tells PEOPLE. “So I wasn’t surprised.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb on ‘Today’ in 2019.Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

She continues, “But then when it happened, of course I was happy for her because I think it’s so courageous and bold and amazing and this mode of confidence in herself and her bright future that she’s writing, and she’s writing it.”

She adds, “And of course I’m also sad because I love her so much and if I had it my way, we’d be together forever.”

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie on ‘Today’ on October 8, 2024 in New York City.NDZ/Star Max/GC Images

NDZ/Star Max/GC Images

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Kotbannounced last month that she was leavingTodayafter 17 years to focus onher daughtersHaley Joy, 7, and Hope Catherine, 5.

“My broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie,”  shewrote in a letterto the NBC morning show staff, shared Thursday, Sept. 26. “I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.”

Kotb will remain in her role until the start of 2025 and plans to “remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart.”

During the segment on the show, Guthrie was overcome with emotion as her tears resulted in one of herfalse lashes becoming loose.

“Here’s my lash,” Guthrie said.

TheTodayshow saw Kotb and Guthrie make history as the first-ever pair of female co-hosts to host the morning show.

source: people.com