After five years with the show and weeks of speculation, Meredith Vieira, 57, announced on-air she’ll be leaving the Today Show next month. She will be succeeded by the show’s 14-year veteran, Ann Curry.

Meredith Vieira Leaving The Today Show

In between laughter and tears, she said:

“This is a difficult day for me. I’m trying hard to hold it together,”

Her co-host Matt Lauer said that her last day will be “in a few weeks.”

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Meredith went on to say that she had made her decision after a lot of ”personal reflection and private conversation with friends.” She also said she wants to spend more time with her husband, who has been diagnosed multiple sclerosis, and her three children.

Last fall, Meredith opened up to Ladies’ Home Journal, discussing her thoughts on leaving the show:

“I’ll know when it’s time to go, and I’m not afraid to go. … If I were to leave the show at the end of next year because it’s time for me, I wouldn’t jump into another show. I would look forward to not working, to traveling with Richard and carving out time for us.”

She’s a great anchor and a trusted news source. We’ll miss you, Meredith!

[image: WENN]