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Watch Meredith Vieira Announce She's Leaving NBC's 'Today

Watch Meredith Vieira Announce She's Leaving NBC's 'Today

"difficult day for me"

Although it's been speculated for some time that Meredith Vieira will be leaving NBC's "Today" show, it's never been official. Monday, Vieira ended speculation and announced her departure, which will happen in June. Current newsreader Ann Curry will take her place, while "Today" regular Natalie Morales will take Curry's role.

Vieira said during the announcement that this is a "difficult day for me," and almost immediately choked up. According to her, the decision was the result of "months of personal reflection." Still, the announcement did come with plenty of chuckles, like when Viera started recounting what co-host Matt Lauer told her on her first day and he chimed in, "Get out!" Watch below:

Vieira replaced Katie Couric five years ago, and has talked about wanting more free time. Vieira, 57, has three children and her husband, author Richard M. Cohen, wrote a best-selling book about coping with multiple sclerosis and colon cancer.

"Even as I say this and I know that it's the right thing, I'm really sad," she said, fighting back emotion as she made the announcement on the air Monday.

Her co-host, Matt Lauer, said that Vieira "has brought class and dignity and talent and a joy of life to this show for the last five years."

Transitions are unusual for "Today," as Vieira was still the newbie among the show's core four that included Lauer, Curry and Al Roker.

Curry has been with the show since 1997 as the news anchor. Passed over for the top job five years ago when Vieira was chosen, she stuck with the show and carved out a new reputation as a globe-trotting reporter. She was in Pakistan last week following the killing of Osama bin Laden.

"I feel like the high school computer nerd who has just been asked to the prom by the quarterback of the football team," Curry said.

Natalie Morales, an anchor for the third of the show's four hours, will become the regular newsreader. "Today" also announced that Savannah Guthrie will become a host of the show's third hour with Morales and Roker.

"Today" is careful to cultivate the image of family, and made the announcement with the five regulars seated on a couch, tossing off jokes to blunt emotion.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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