Savannah Guthrie
She steers America's morning conversation with a sharp legal mind and a relatable warmth, moving seamlessly from hard news to heartfelt interviews.
Born 1971 (age 55)·American journalist·Birthday: December 27·Generation X
Biography
Savannah Guthrie brings a unique toolkit to the anchor chair: the rigor of a lawyer and the empathy of a journalist. Her path to the top of NBC's 'Today' show was not a straight line. After practicing law in Arizona, she pivoted to journalism, working local markets before joining NBC News as a White House correspondent during the Obama administration. It was there she honed a direct, informed questioning style. When she stepped into the co-anchor role in 2012, she helped steady the program, her authenticity resonating with viewers. Guthrie has interviewed presidents and pop stars, but she often connects most deeply in moments of unscripted humanity, whether sharing personal stories or conducting poignant newsmaker sit-downs. She operates not as a distant broadcaster, but as a guide through complex headlines, making her a trusted fixture in millions of daily routines.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Savannah was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Savannah Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Savannah's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 40
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 50
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 55 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Appointed co-anchor of NBC's 'Today' in 2012, becoming one of the most visible faces in American morning television.
- Served as a White House correspondent for NBC News, covering the administration of President Barack Obama.
- Moderated a 2020 presidential primary debate, applying her legal background to political interrogation.
- Conducted landmark interviews, including a wide-ranging sit-down with singer Adele in 2021.
- Graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law and is a member of the State Bar of Arizona.
Did You Know?
She is a licensed attorney and passed the bar exam in Arizona.
Guthrie is a published children's book author, having co-written the series 'Princesses Wear Pants.'
She filled in as a moderator on 'Meet the Press' before the permanent host was chosen in 2014.
She gave birth to her second child at age 48, discussing the experience openly on the 'Today' show.
“I think the best interviews are conversations. You're not there to trip someone up; you're there to understand.”
