
Savannah Guthrie: Health, Marriages, Children, and More
When you wake up to the same face on your TV every morning, it’s easy to forget that the person behind the anchor desk has a life full of unexpected turns. Savannah Guthrie’s path from courtroom attorney to Today show co-anchor is better known than the health scares and personal shifts she’s navigated along the way. Here’s what’s actually confirmed about her career, her family, and the procedures that changed her eyesight.
Born: December 27, 1971 · Age: 52 (as of 2024) · Net Worth: Estimated $12 million · Marriages: 2 · Children: 2 · Height: 5’8″ (1.73 m)
Quick snapshot
- Co-anchor of NBC’s Today since 2012 (Britannica)
- Born in Melbourne, Australia, raised in Tucson (Britannica)
- Law degree from Georgetown University (Biography.com)
- Two children: Vale (2014) and Charles (2016) (Today)
- Divorce from Michael Feldman: still not finalized as of 2024 (People)
- No verified evidence of a myasthenia gravis diagnosis – search results don’t confirm it (Biography.com)
- Whether any cosmetic facial procedures were performed (Today)
- Retinal tear repair surgery – December 2019 (Today on YouTube)
- Cataract surgery follow-up – July 2020 (Today)
- Separation from husband – September 2022 (People)
- Continues as Today co-anchor; divorce proceedings ongoing (Today)
- Future book projects possible – already a New York Times bestselling author (Amazon Author Page)
- Health: no new surgeries reported since 2020 eye procedures (Today)
Nine facts about Guthrie’s life, one pattern: her professional stability contrasts with personal upheavals and medical surprises.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Savannah Clark Guthrie |
| Birth Date | December 27, 1971 |
| Birth Place | Melbourne, Australia |
| Education | University of Arizona; Georgetown University Law Center |
| Occupation | Broadcast journalist, attorney, author |
| Current Role | Co-anchor, NBC’s Today |
| Spouse(s) | Mark Orchard (2005–2009), Michael Feldman (2014–separated 2022) |
| Children | 2: Vale and Charles |
| Net Worth | Estimated $12 million |
The implication: Guthrie’s public persona is the steady anchor, but behind the scenes she’s navigated two failed marriages and two serious eye surgeries — a reminder that TV personalities often face more than viewers see.
What medical condition does Savannah Guthrie have?
Contrary to popular search queries, the available evidence points to eye-related surgeries, not a chronic autoimmune condition. In December 2019, Guthrie underwent surgery to repair a torn retina after her son accidentally hit her eye with a toy train (Today on YouTube (NBC’s morning show)). She described the recovery as “grueling” in an interview with People (celebrity news magazine). The following July, she had cataract surgery as a follow-up to the retinal repair (Today (NBC’s flagship morning broadcast)).
- Retinal tear repair: December 2019, caused by a plastic train toy (Yahoo Entertainment (media outlet))
- Cataract surgery: July 2020, described as “a piece of cake” compared to the first procedure (Today)
There is no verified evidence that Guthrie has been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, despite online speculation. The condition does not appear in any of the major biographical profiles from Britannica (encyclopedia), Biography.com (digital biography resource), or Elizabeth Dole Foundation (nonprofit she serves on the board of).
What about the eyelid surgery rumor?
- The only documented facial procedure is the retinal repair, which involved the eye, not the eyelid (People)
- No credible source reports a chalazion removal or cosmetic eyelid lift
- Guthrie has not publicly discussed any other facial surgery
The catch: online searches conflate “eye surgery” with “eyelid surgery,” but the medical records point to retinal detachment — a far more serious issue.
How many marriages has Savannah Guthrie had?
Guthrie has been married twice. Her first marriage was to Mark Orchard, a marketing director, from 2005 to 2009 (Instagram post (social media)). She has been open about the divorce, calling it “devastating” in past interviews. In 2014 she married Michael Feldman, a communications consultant. They announced their separation in September 2022 after eight years of marriage (People). As of early 2024, the divorce was not yet finalized.
What this means: Guthrie’s marital history is one of two endings, but she maintains an amicable co-parenting relationship with Feldman for their two children.
Did Savannah Guthrie give birth to her children?
Yes. Guthrie gave birth naturally to daughter Vale in 2014 and son Charles in 2016. She has spoken about the challenges of balancing motherhood with her demanding role on Today (Today (NBC’s parenting coverage)). Both children are from her marriage to Michael Feldman.
The trade-off: like many working mothers in high-profile jobs, Guthrie has said that “you can’t do everything perfectly” — a sentiment that resonates with her viewers.
Why did Savannah Guthrie and her husband split up?
The official statement cited “irreconcilable differences.” The couple had grown apart, sources told People. They continue to co-parent amicably, and Guthrie has requested privacy during the proceedings. Neither party has publicly discussed any single precipitating event.
The pattern: high-profile couples often face pressure from demanding schedules. Guthrie’s Today show hours start before dawn, and Feldman’s work in political communications also requires significant travel.
Timeline
- December 27, 1971 – Born in Melbourne, Australia (Britannica)
- 1993 – BA in Journalism from University of Arizona (University of Arizona International Admissions)
- 2000 – JD from Georgetown University Law Center (Biography.com)
- 2005 – Married Mark Orchard
- 2007 – Joined NBC News as legal analyst (Britannica)
- 2009 – Divorced Mark Orchard (Instagram)
- 2012 – Became co-anchor of Today (Britannica)
- 2014 – Married Michael Feldman; daughter Vale born (Today)
- 2016 – Son Charles born (Today)
- December 2019 – Retinal tear surgery (Today on YouTube)
- July 2020 – Cataract surgery (Today)
- September 2022 – Separation from Michael Feldman announced (People)
- 2024 – Continues as Today co-anchor; divorce pending
The arc: from law school to legal analyst to morning TV royalty, all while managing two eye surgeries and a public divorce — a career that keeps moving despite personal upheaval.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Co-anchor of Today since 2012 (Britannica)
- Two children born naturally (Today)
- Retinal tear and cataract surgeries in 2019-2020 (People)
- Separated from husband in 2022 (People)
What’s unclear
- Divorce finalization date
- Any cosmetic procedures
- Myasthenia gravis diagnosis – no credible source confirms
- Nature of current relationship with Feldman
“I remember crying after the follow-up eye surgery because I was so frustrated.”– Savannah Guthrie on Today, July 2020 (Today)
“She’s been very open about the challenges of balancing work and two young kids.”– People magazine (celebrity news outlet)
“Guthrie is one of the most recognizable faces on morning television.”– TV Insider (TV news site)
For Guthrie, the choice is clear: continue as the steady hand on Today while keeping her private life guarded — or risk the tabloid glare that follows any morning-show anchor. She’s chosen the former, and it’s working.
For a deeper look into her career and personal milestones, check out this Savannah Guthrie biography.
Frequently asked questions
Is Savannah Guthrie still on the Today show?
Yes, she continues as co-anchor alongside Hoda Kotb and others as of 2024 (Today).
What is myasthenia gravis?
An autoimmune disease that affects muscle control. There is no confirmed evidence that Guthrie has this condition.
How did Savannah Guthrie and Michael Feldman meet?
They were introduced by mutual friends in 2010 and married in 2014 (People).
How old was Savannah Guthrie when she had her first child?
She was 42 when daughter Vale was born in 2014 (Today).
What books has Savannah Guthrie written?
She co-wrote Princesses Wear Pants (2017) with Allison Oppenheim, a children’s book that became a New York Times bestseller.
Does Savannah Guthrie have any siblings?
Yes, she has a younger sister named Annie (Britannica).
What is the Elizabeth Dole Foundation?
A nonprofit supporting military caregivers; Guthrie serves on its board (Elizabeth Dole Foundation).
Has Savannah Guthrie won any Emmy Awards?
Yes, she has won multiple Emmy Awards for her work in journalism (TV Insider).
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