Savannah Guthrie Shares Childhood Photos, Reflects on Family and Career Journey

NEW YORK — Savannah Guthrie, the beloved co-anchor of NBC‘s *Today* show, recently surprised fans with a nostalgic glimpse into her childhood, sharing rare photos from her early years on Instagram Stories. The 53-year-old journalist posted snapshots of herself and her sister, Annie, showcasing their close bond and youthful adventures.

In one photo, a young Guthrie beams at the camera in a checkered collared shirt layered over a red patterned dress, while her sister stands behind her in a similarly quirky outfit. Another image captures the sisters smiling in swimsuits, their curly brown hair framing their faces. Guthrie, who was born in Australia but raised in Tucson, Arizona, reflected on her upbringing and the sacrifices her family made after her father’s death during her high school years.

“Growing up and knowing that I was born in Australia was always this interesting, exotic part of my history that I love,” Guthrie told *People* in a past interview. Her father, Charles, passed away before her senior year of high school, leaving her mother to raise Guthrie and her two sisters single-handedly. Guthrie described her father as “always strong, sometimes terrifying, loyal to the end, and disarmingly gentle and tender when it counted” in a heartfelt tribute on *Today*.

Guthrie’s journey to success wasn’t immediate. She admitted to being a “slacker” in high school, only finding her passion for journalism during college. “It was only in college when I started taking journalism classes that the fire was lit, and I really wanted to accomplish things,” she said. Despite initially pursuing law, Guthrie returned to her roots in journalism, driven by her dream of making it in television news.

Her family’s closeness played a significant role in her life. After her father’s death, Guthrie and her sister chose to stay close to their mother, even living at home during college. “My sister and I really felt like we should stick with my mom and not leave her alone,” she explained. However, when Guthrie was offered a job in Butte, Montana, her mother encouraged her to chase her dreams, saying, “I’m not going to stand in the way of your dreams.”

Guthrie’s sister, Annie, is a writer and poet who released a collection of poetry titled *The Good Dark* in 2015. Guthrie has often celebrated her sister’s achievements, describing their upbringing as a “little Brady Bunch family.” In February 2024, Guthrie released her own memoir, *Mostly What God Does*, which delves into her faith and personal experiences, including her childhood.

Fans of Guthrie, who has co-anchored *Today* since 2018, were delighted by the throwback photos and her candid reflections on family and career. The photos serve as a reminder of the resilience and determination that have shaped Guthrie’s path to becoming one of television’s most recognizable faces.