TODAY's anchors expressed love, admiration and support for Meredith and her decision to leave TODAY to spend more time with her husband and children.
Here are a few quotes from TODAY and a press conference NBC News held hours after the announcement. Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Matt:
"You should know at home that Meredith is universally adored here at TODAY. Not just by those of us on the couch, but all of the people behind the scenes. She has brought class, and dignity and talent and a joy of life to this show over these last five years. And we will miss you like crazy," Matt said on TODAY. "I will say unequivocally I've never enjoyed working with anyone more than Meredith," Matt said at the NBC press conference.
Ann:
"You've been a gift to this broadcast. You have been generous and a great girlfriend. And I know that I've said this to you and I think I need to say it publicly, which is to say if I could choose, you would not go. You would stay here. And let us wake up with you every morning," Ann said on TODAY.
Al:
"I don't think I've ever worked with a more selfless broadcaster than Meredith Vieira. She is about the program, and as long as we look good, she knows that we all look good," Al said at the press conference. "It is going to be a real hole when she leaves. I mean I never thought I would be able to run a marathon, and I did because of Meredith. That's who she is. She makes you better."
Natalie:
"Meredith, you have been an incredible mentor, an incredible friend. I think you've shown us all from day one how to make it yours in a way that also is not forgetting who you are as a person and what's most important to you and the responsibilities you have at home. And it's great that you're doing this. As we said, it's your way. It's what you want now. And we're so happy for you. And we're going to miss you terribly," Natalie said at the press conference.
Kathie Lee:
"That's Meredith in encapsulated form. She's speaking truth at the same time she's expressing her heart. And everyone knows that her husband deals with very serious illness, multiple sclerosis and other things, and you do start to realize that time is the most previous, precious gift god gives us," Kathie Lee said during TODAY's Talk. "We're going to miss her so much."
Hoda:
"Meredith is so real. What I love about her so much is that she has lived her life on her own terms. Nobody tells her what to do. When she feels like it's time, it is," Hoda said during TODAY's Talk.
Jim Bell, executive producer of TODAY:
"It's a question we get asked a lot outside of these halls. And the answer is always yes, Meredith really is that wonderful. She really is that special. And there is no one else like her. And I'm going to miss her terribly, but I'm thrilled for her," Jim said at the press conference.
Now it's your turn! Let us know how you feel about Meredith leaving TODAY.
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