Why Savannah Guthrie Wore Yellow on Her First Day Back at “Today:” The Special Meaning Behind Her Dress
Why Savannah Guthrie Wore Yellow on Her First Day Back at “Today:” The Special Meaning Behind Her Dress
Alex RossMon, April 6, 2026 at 12:57 PM UTC
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Savannah Guthrie returns to the Today showCredit: NBC -
Savannah Guthrie returned to Today on April 6 after more than two months away following her mother’s disappearance
Savannah wore a yellow dress in a nod to the symbols of hope and support for her family
The journalist's return date also carries special meaning
Savannah Guthrie is bringing the sunshine back to Studio 1A.
The journalist chose a bright yellow dress for her first morning back at the anchor desk in more than two months after her mother Nancy Guthrie disappeared on Feb. 1.
"Pretty shot of the sun coming up. Good morning, welcome to Today on this Monday morning we are so glad you started your week with us and it's good to be home," Savannah said in the introduction of her first broadcast back on April 6.
Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin on Monday, April 6Credit: NBC
Craig Melvin coordinated with his co-host, wearing a yellow tie, while the Today studio remained decorated in yellow flowers.
Yellow has become a symbol of support at NBC amid the search for Nancy, which is now in its 10th week. The Today anchors and various reporters at the network have all worn little yellow enamel ribbon pins, a gesture of solidarity with the Guthrie family that began months ago after Arizona residents put out yellow ribbons and flowers around Nancy’s neighborhood.
"We got a suggestion from one of our viewers and we’re doing the same here,” Hoda Kotb, who filled in for Savannah, shared during the Wednesday, Feb. 18 broadcast. “We have yellow roses around Studio 1A and we’re all wearing ribbons as we send our love to Savannah and her family."
Savannah Guthrie returns to the Today showCredit: NBC
One of Nancy’s neighbors, Laura Gargano, told PEOPLE at the time that the idea for the use of yellow came from another local resident and explained the meaning of the color.
“Some of us put flowers at the front of Nancy’s house, while others who may not have wanted to go down to Nancy’s house, put ribbons on their mailboxes,” Gargano shared. “The yellow ribbon is a sentiment of hope and support after someone goes missing. I believe the use of the yellow ribbons goes back to hostage-taking in the 1970s.”
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According to the National Museum of American Diplomacy, the display of yellow ribbons became popular in 1979 when 52 U.S. diplomats were held hostage in Iran. The wife of the highest-ranking hostage started the movement, which was inspired by the song, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.”
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The April 6 date of Savannah's return was also symbolic.
When the date of her return was announced at the end of March, weatherman Al Roker commented on the religious significance of Easter Monday.
"What’s wonderful, it’s almost symbolic after Easter and the resurrection, the rising, I think as a family we’ll hold hands and help her," Roker said.
Melvin admitted, "I had not thought about that. Yes."
"Of course you did, Mr. Roker," Kotb said, while Jenna Bush Hager, who attends the same church as Savannah added, "And [Savannah] had too, you know."
No suspects have been identified in Nancy's case.
Anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie's disappearance is asked to please contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”