Nancy Guthrie Bio, Age, Savannah Guthrie’s Mother, Family, Career, Net Worth & Disappearance
Nancy Guthrie became a household name in February 2026, not by choice, but through a terrifying mystery that captured national attention. As the 84-year-old mother of Today Show co-anchor savannah guthrie, Nancy’s disappearance from her Tucson, Arizona home—under circumstances authorities described as a possible kidnapping—sparked one of the most closely watched missing persons cases in recent memory. But beyond the headlines lies the story of a remarkable woman: a single mother who raised three children alone after her husband’s sudden death, a woman of “unshakeable faith” who encouraged her daughter’s dreams even when it meant letting her go, and a grandmother who embodied the quiet strength that shaped one of television’s most beloved journalists.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Nancy Ellen Long Guthrie |
| Nick Name | Nancy |
| Profession | Former medical administrator, homemaker |
| Birth Date | February 3, 1942 |
| Age | 84 (at time of disappearance, February 2026) |
| Birth Place | Fort Wright, Kentucky, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Mother of Savannah Guthrie; disappearance in February 2026 |
| Ethnicity | White/Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 4–5 inches (estimated) |
| Hair Color | Curly, gray (formerly brown/blonde) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Qualification | College educated (specifics undisclosed) |
| Religion | Christianity (devout) |
| Marital Status | Widow |
| Husband | Charles Guthrie (married until his death in 1988) |
| Children | 3 (Annie Guthrie, Charles “Camron” Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie) |
| Parents | Not publicly disclosed |
| Siblings | Not publicly disclosed |
| Residence | Catalina Foothills, Tucson, Arizona (since 1980s) |
| Status | Missing since January 31, 2026 |
| Last Seen | Evening of January 31, 2026, at her home |
Early Life & Education
Fort Wright, Kentucky Roots
Nancy Ellen Long was born on February 3, 1942, in Fort Wright, Kentucky, a small community roughly 5 miles from downtown Cincinnati. The area, part of Kenton County, was a working-class suburb where Nancy developed the values of integrity and hard work that would define her life.
Family Traits: Savannah Guthrie has noted that Nancy carried “that family trait of round cheeks, and curly hair and blue eyes that continues to this day” through the generations.
Education
Nancy received a college education, though specific details about her alma mater and degree remain private. Her educational background prepared her for a career in medical administration.
Marriage & Family
Charles Guthrie (Married until 1988)
Nancy married Charles Guthrie, a mining engineer, and together they built a life that would be tragically cut short.
Charles Guthrie:
- Profession: Mining engineer
- Health: Suffered first heart attack when Savannah was 13 (circa 1989)
- Death: 1988 (heart attack) at age 47
- Impact: Left Nancy a widow at age 46 with three children to raise alone
The Sudden Loss:
Charles’s death came when Nancy was just 46 years old. Savannah, the youngest child, was 16 and entering her senior year of high school. The loss was devastating and sudden—Savannah recalled her mother coming toward her to deliver the news: “Dad died.” Savannah described it as tearing the “whole world apart.”
Single Motherhood (1988–Present)
After Charles’s death, Nancy became a single mother to three children:
- Annie Guthrie – Eldest child
- Charles “Camron” Guthrie – Only son
- Savannah Guthrie – Youngest child (born 1971)
The “Laissez-Faire” Parenting Style:
Nancy developed a parenting philosophy that emphasized independence and self-sufficiency. In a 2019 appearance on the fourth hour of Today, she explained: “Your kids won’t like [hovering]. All my kids are absolutely amazing.”
Encouraging Independence:
When Savannah struggled to leave home for her first journalism job in Butte, Montana, at age 21, Nancy delivered the words that would define her parenting legacy:
“If you can’t leave me, then I didn’t do my job right.”
Savannah later reflected: “She could have held onto me. It wouldn’t have taken very much. If she said, ‘Well, you know, Savannah maybe you could find something a little closer to home…’ But she’s like, ‘I’m not going to stand in the way of your dreams. I’m going to tell you, go go go go go.'”
Raising Savannah in Tucson
After Charles’s death, Nancy raised her children in Tucson, Arizona, where she had relocated years earlier. The family lived in the Catalina Foothills area, an affluent unincorporated community north of Tucson.
University of Arizona Connection:
Savannah attended the University of Arizona and lived at home throughout college—not just for financial reasons, but because she and her sister “really felt like we should stick with my mom and not leave her alone” after their father’s death.
Career & Professional Life
Medical Administration
Nancy worked as a medical administrator before and during her early years of motherhood. This career provided stability for her family and likely influenced Savannah’s early interest in healthcare and science (Savannah initially planned to study sports broadcasting but had strong academic performance in science).
The “Working Mom” Years
During the period when she was essentially a single mother (from Savannah’s ages 3–6, before remarriage, and then permanently after 1988), Nancy opened her own business to support her family. As addison rae’s mother Sheri Easterling would later do under similar circumstances, Nancy brought her daughter to work with her.
Savannah recalled: “You brought me to work with you all the time. That’s where I remember being all the time, was at your work with you.”
Personal Characteristics & Values
“A Life of Integrity”
Savannah’s 2022 tribute on Nancy’s 80th birthday captured her mother’s essence:
“She’s lived a life of integrity and loyalty. She is a consistent doer of the right thing and the hard thing. She’s a truth teller, whether you really want to hear the truth or not.”
Daring & Adventurous
Nancy maintained an adventurous spirit throughout her life:
- F-16 Flight: “She once got in an F-16 in Fort Wright”
- Travel: “Willing to jet off anywhere, and I really do mean ‘jet'”
- Resilience: Met “unthinkable challenges in her life with grit, without self-pity, with determination and always, always with unshakeable faith”
Faith Foundation
Christianity provided the bedrock of Nancy’s life and parenting. Her “unshakeable faith” was noted by Savannah as the constant through all of life’s challenges—from widowhood to single parenthood to health issues in later years.
Health in Later Years
By 2026, Nancy was managing age-related health challenges:
- Limited mobility: Required assistance with walking
- Daily medication: Needed to take medication daily or “it could be fatal” (per Sheriff Chris Nanos)
- Cognitive health: Described as “sharp as a tack” with “no cognitive issues” and “of great, sound mind”—ruling out dementia-related wandering
Despite these limitations, Nancy lived independently in her Catalina Foothills home with staff assistance.
The Disappearance (January 31–February 2026)
Timeline of Events
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
| January 31, 2026 (evening) | Nancy last seen at her home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue, Catalina Foothills |
| ~9:30 PM | Last confirmed sighting |
| February 1, 2026 (noon) | Reported missing by family member after failing to appear for Sunday plans |
| February 2, 2026 | Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos announces investigation as “crime scene”; homicide detectives involved |
| February 2, 2026 | Sheriff states belief that Nancy was “taken from her home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night” |
| February 2, 2026 | FBI offers assistance; U.S. Border Patrol provides K9 units |
| February 3, 2026 | Savannah Guthrie issues statement on Today show; case remains active |
The Investigation
Pima County Sheriff’s Department Findings:
- “Concerning evidence” found at home led to treatment as crime scene
- Homicide detectives assigned to case
- Sheriff’s statement: “I think she was abducted. When you’re taken from your bed and you don’t want to go somewhere, that’s an abduction.”
- Clarification: Later clarified that “taken from her bed” was figurative, not literal
- Harm: Sheriff indicated belief that Nancy was harmed at the home, though extent unclear
Search Efforts:
- Ground crews and search dogs
- Drones and aircraft
- License plate reader analysis
- Home security camera footage review
- Neighborhood canvassing (residents asked to check Ring cameras)
Family Statement (Savannah Guthrie):
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520) 351-4900.”
Public Tip Line:
- Phone: 520-351-4900
- Online: https://pimasheriff.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/nancy-guthrie
National Attention
The case drew immediate national attention due to Savannah Guthrie’s prominence:
- Media coverage: All major networks, CNN, Fox News, NPR, USA Today, People, NBC News
- Social media: #FindNancyGuthrie trending
- Celebrity involvement: Jimmy Eat World drummer Zach Lind (whose wife is Nancy’s niece) posted plea for information
- Community response: Tucson residents organized search parties and prayer vigils
Family Connections
The Guthrie Children
Annie Guthrie – Eldest daughter
- Maintains private life
- Lives in Arizona area
Charles “Camron” Guthrie – Only son
- Named after father
- Lives in Arizona area
Savannah Guthrie – Youngest daughter (born 1971)
- Today Show co-anchor since 2012
- Former White House correspondent, NBC News
- Married to Michael Feldman; children Vale and Charley
- Named son Charley after her father Charles
Extended Family
Niece Connection:
Nancy is the aunt of Zach Lind’s wife—Zach Lind is the drummer for the band Jimmy Eat World. Lind posted on social media: “My wife’s aunt from the Tucson area is missing. Please come forward if you have any information.”
This connection brought additional media attention to the case through the music community.
Public Appearances
Today Show Appearances
Nancy made several appearances on her daughter’s program over the years:
- 2019: Discussed “laissez-faire” parenting approach with Savannah and Jenna Bush Hager
- 2022: Featured in Savannah’s 80th birthday tribute
- Various: Family segments and holiday features
Podcast Appearance
Nancy appeared on Savannah’s Today show podcast Making Space with hoda kotb (hosted by Hoda Kotb, featuring Savannah as guest) discussing family history and parenting philosophy.
Quotes About Nancy Guthrie
From Savannah Guthrie (80th Birthday Tribute, 2022):
“My mom, Nancy Guthrie, was born this day, Nancy Ellen Long, 1942, in Fort Wright, Kentucky, carrying that family trait of round cheeks, and curly hair and blue eyes that continues to this day.”
“She’s lived a life of integrity and loyalty. She is a consistent doer of the right thing and the hard thing.”
“She’s daring and adventurous. She’s willing to jet off anywhere, and I really do mean ‘jet.’ She once got in an F-16 in Fort Wright.”
“She has met unthinkable challenges in her life with grit, without self-pity, with determination and always, always with unshakeable faith.”
On Letting Savannah Go:
“If you can’t leave me, then I didn’t do my job right.”
From Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos:
“This is just really sad for our community. Savannah is family to us. She’s a big part of this community. Her family is devastated, the entire family. And you know, this just doesn’t happen in Tucson.”
Interesting Facts
- Fort Wright Native: Born and raised in Northern Kentucky suburb 5 miles from Cincinnati
- Young Widow: Became widow at age 46—same age as Savannah when Nancy disappeared
- F-16 Flight: Rode in fighter jet in her hometown area
- Medical Background: Worked in medical administration, possibly influencing Savannah’s early academic interests
- Three Children: Raised Annie, Camron, and Savannah as a single mother after 1988
- Tucson Resident: Lived in Arizona since at least Savannah’s high school years (1980s)
- Independent Living: At 84, lived alone with staff assistance despite mobility limitations
- No Dementia: Sheriff confirmed she was “sharp as a tack” with no cognitive decline
- Daily Medication: Required medication that could be “fatal” if missed
- Faith Foundation: Described as having “unshakeable faith” through all life’s challenges
- Grandmother: Grandmother to Savannah’s children Vale and Charley
- Great-Grandmother: Through extended family connections
- Private Person: Maintained privacy despite daughter’s fame until disappearance thrust her into spotlight
Did You Know?
- Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance came just one day after her 84th birthday (born February 3, 1942; last seen January 31, 2026)
- She lived in the Catalina Foothills, one of Tucson’s most affluent areas
- Her home was treated as a crime scene with homicide detectives involved
- The case was investigated as a possible kidnapping due to her limited mobility and “concerning evidence”
- She was the aunt of a rock star’s wife (Jimmy Eat World drummer Zach Lind)
- Savannah lived at home through college to stay with her mother after father’s death
- Nancy’s parenting philosophy was described as “laissez-faire”—emphasizing independence over hovering
- She never remarried after Charles’s death in 1988—nearly 38 years as a widow
- Her disappearance prompted an FBI offer of assistance and Border Patrol K9 units
- The case highlighted the vulnerability of elderly Americans living independently
Social Media & Public Information
Due to Nancy’s private nature and the active investigation, official social media accounts for Nancy Guthrie do not exist. Information about her case is available through:
- Pima County Sheriff’s Department: Official updates on investigation
- Savannah Guthrie’s Instagram: @savannahguthrie – Family statements
- Today Show: Official NBC coverage and family statements
- Tip Line: 520-351-4900 (Pima County Sheriff’s Department)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who is Nancy Guthrie?
A: Nancy Guthrie is the 84-year-old mother of Today Show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. She gained national attention in February 2026 when she was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona home under circumstances authorities are investigating as a possible kidnapping.
Q: Where is Nancy Guthrie from?
A: Nancy Guthrie was born Nancy Ellen Long in Fort Wright, Kentucky, on February 3, 1942. Fort Wright is a small community approximately 5 miles from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.
Q: What happened to Nancy Guthrie?
A: Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, at her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona. She was reported missing on February 1, 2026. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is investigating her disappearance as a crime, with authorities believing she may have been abducted from her home.
Q: Is Nancy Guthrie still missing?
A: Yes, as of the latest updates (February 3, 2026), Nancy Guthrie remains missing. The investigation is ongoing with FBI assistance, and authorities are treating the case as a possible kidnapping.
Q: Who was Nancy Guthrie’s husband?
A: Nancy Guthrie was married to Charles Guthrie, a mining engineer. He died of a heart attack in 1988 at age 47, leaving Nancy a widow at age 46 with three children to raise.
Q: How many children does Nancy Guthrie have?
A: Nancy Guthrie has three children: Annie Guthrie (eldest daughter), Charles “Camron” Guthrie (son), and Savannah Guthrie (youngest daughter, the Today Show anchor).
Q: Where did Nancy Guthrie live?
A: Nancy Guthrie lived in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona, since at least the 1980s. She lived alone with staff assistance due to limited mobility.
Q: What is Nancy Guthrie’s health condition?
A: At 84, Nancy had limited mobility and required daily medication that could be fatal if missed. However, authorities confirmed she had no cognitive issues or dementia and was “sharp as a tack” mentally.
Q: How can I provide information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance?
A: Anyone with information should contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520) 351-4900 or submit tips through the online portal at https://pimasheriff.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/nancy-guthrie
Q: What has Savannah Guthrie said about her mother’s disappearance?
A: Savannah Guthrie issued a statement on the Today Show on February 2, 2026, thanking supporters and asking for prayers: “On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom.”
Conclusion
Nancy Guthrie’s life story is one of quiet strength, resilience, and unconditional love. From her Kentucky roots to her decades as a Tucson widow raising three children alone, she embodied the values of integrity, faith, and independence that she passed to her daughter Savannah. Her disappearance in February 2026—just one day after her 84th birthday—represents not just a family’s nightmare but a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by elderly Americans living independently.
As the investigation continues and the nation watches, Nancy Guthrie remains defined not by the mystery of her disappearance but by the legacy she built: three successful children, a granddaughter who bears her father’s name (Charley), and a life lived with “grit, without self-pity, with determination and always, always with unshakeable faith.”
The hope remains that Nancy Guthrie will be found safe and returned to her family, allowing her to continue the life she built with such grace and courage.
If you have any information about Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts, please contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520) 351-4900.
