Savannah Guthrie Breaks Silence on 'Horrible' Divorce
Savannah Guthrie from NBC's "Today" show shakes hands with U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard service members who were invited to view the show's filming in honor of Fleet Week New York, 2014. Photo courtesy of Naval Aircrewman Mechanical 3rd Class Michelle Marzec. Public domain.
Savannah Guthrie, the poised and polished co-anchor of NBC's "Today" show, has long been admired for her professionalism and grace on screen. But behind the scenes, the Australian-born journalist endured a deeply personal and painful chapter that she rarely spoke about — her divorce from British journalist Mark Orchard. Now, after more than a decade of silence, Guthrie has opened up about the heartbreak and struggle that followed the end of her first marriage, revealing a side of herself that fans have never seen before.
A Private Pain Finally Shared
For years, Guthrie kept the details of her split under wraps, choosing to focus on her thriving career and her growing family with her current husband, Michael Feldman. But in a candid conversation on the "Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky" podcast, she broke her silence, describing the divorce as "horrible" and admitting it "broke my heart," as reported by The U.S. Sun. The revelation was striking coming from a woman who has built a reputation for composure and control in the public eye.
Guthrie's marriage to Orchard, a former White House correspondent for Al Jazeera English and a British journalist she met while covering the Michael Jackson trial, lasted from 2005 to 2009. The couple did not have children together; their split was a private affair, with Guthrie choosing not to air the "gory details" in her memoir, "Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere," according to Page Six. She explained that the pain was too personal and too embarrassing to share publicly, and that it took her years to recover from the emotional toll.
Setting Boundaries in the Spotlight
What makes Guthrie's admission even more compelling is her decision to set firm boundaries about what she would reveal. Despite the pressures of celebrity and public curiosity, she maintained control over her narrative, refusing to delve into the specifics of her divorce. This choice resonated with podcast host Monica Lewinsky, who praised Guthrie for asserting her right to privacy saying, "It was such a revelation and, I think, also so important as a woman, you know, that there's this sense of ... this idea of public-private, that you're allowed to have a boundary," as reported by Page Six.
Guthrie's approach highlights a broader conversation about the balance between public persona and private pain, especially for women in the spotlight. Her story is a reminder that even those who seem to have it all together face struggles that are often hidden from view.
A New Chapter With Michael Feldman
After the painful end of her first marriage, Guthrie found love again with Michael Feldman, a former Democratic political adviser who served as Vice President Al Gore's traveling chief of staff during the 2000 presidential election. The couple's relationship blossomed slowly — they dated for five and a half years, reportedly navigating their own commitment issues and differing faiths before marrying in a small, intimate ceremony in Tucson, Arizona, in March 2014.
Together, Guthrie and Feldman have built a family grounded in faith and mutual respect. Guthrie has spoken about the importance of maintaining "integrity" in her faith and family life, emphasizing the role of spirituality as a guiding force, according to The U.S. Sun. The couple shares two children, Vale and Charley, and recently celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in 2024, a milestone that marks a stark contrast to the heartbreak of her earlier years.
The Woman Behind the Anchor Desk
Savannah Guthrie's journey from a heartbroken divorcee to a devoted mother and successful journalist adds a rich layer to her public persona. Known for interviewing high-profile figures such as Donald Trump Jr., Mark Zuckerberg, and Hillary Clinton, Guthrie has long been a trusted face in American homes. Yet, her recent openness reveals the resilience and vulnerability that have shaped her both personally and professionally.
Her story is one of quiet strength — of enduring pain without public spectacle, of choosing when and how to share her truth, and of finding love and stability after loss. It's a narrative that resonates far beyond the world of celebrity, touching on universal themes of heartbreak, healing, and hope.
What Comes Next for Guthrie?
As Guthrie continues to balance her demanding career with family life, her candid reflections on her past offer a rare glimpse into the woman behind the headlines. Her willingness to speak about her divorce, even in broad strokes, invites empathy and understanding from fans and fellow public figures alike.
In a world where celebrity lives are often dissected and sensationalized, Guthrie's story stands out for its honesty and dignity. It reminds us that behind every polished anchor desk is a human being with a story worth telling — sometimes painful, sometimes triumphant, but always real.
References: Today's Savannah Guthrie breaks silence on 'horrible' divorce and admits split 'broke my heart' in candid interview | Savannah Guthrie makes rare comment about 'horrible' divorce that took her 'years to recover' from
