Honestly, if you had "Savannah Guthrie gets a tattoo on live TV" on your 2023 or 2025 bingo card, you're probably lying. We're talking about the woman who anchors the Today show, someone whose brand is basically "polished morning professional." But here we are in 2026, and the savannah guthrie tattoo saga has become one of those surprisingly touching celebrity stories that people still bring up.
It wasn't some wild midlife crisis. It wasn't a dare she regretted immediately. It was actually a deeply personal tribute to her late father and, later, her children.
The First One: "All My Love"
For years, Savannah was firmly in the "not a tattoo person" camp. Then came Drew Barrymore.
In January 2023, Savannah sat down on The Drew Barrymore Show and revealed something that shocked her co-anchors: she’d gone under the needle. At 51 years old, she got her first ever piece of ink. It’s a delicate script on the inside of her right forearm.
The words? "all my love."
It’s not just a cute phrase. It is an exact carbon copy of her father’s handwriting. Savannah’s dad passed away from a sudden heart attack when she was just 16. That loss is something she’s talked about over the years—how it shaped her, how it left a hole. She found a love letter he had written to her mother, and that specific sign-off became the blueprint for the artist.
Why the forearm?
She wanted to see it. It's her mantra. When she's sitting at the Today desk or typing away, she sees her father's own hand looking back at her. It’s a way to keep him close in a career that he never got to see her flourish in.
Round Two: The Kids' Hearts
If the first tattoo was a tribute to where she came from, the second one was about where she is now. In early 2025, Savannah went back for more. Again, Drew Barrymore was the "bad influence" (or the great one, depending on how you look at it).
This time, she wanted to honor her kids, Vale and Charley.
She didn't go for their names in some generic font. Instead, she had her daughter, Vale, and her son, Charley, draw hearts on a piece of paper. She took those raw, slightly imperfect, hand-drawn hearts to celebrity tattoo artist JonBoy (the guy everyone in Hollywood goes to for those tiny, "micro" tattoos).
He inked those exact shapes onto her arm.
It’s kind of beautiful when you think about it. The tattoo isn't "perfect" by traditional art standards because it’s the work of children. But that’s exactly why she loves it. It’s real.
The Viral Misconception: The Face Tattoo?
Okay, we have to address the "fake news" that pops up every time you search for this. If you saw a photo of a tattoo of Savannah Guthrie's face on someone's neck, don't worry—Savannah hasn't gone full post-apocalyptic.
That was Craig Melvin.
In early 2025, Craig lost a bet over an Eagles vs. Commanders game. Savannah is a die-hard Eagles fan. The forfeit? He had to wear a temporary tattoo of Savannah's face on his neck for the world to see. It was hilarious, it looked surprisingly real on camera, and it definitely confused a few casual viewers who tuned in late.
Why This Actually Matters
People get weirdly obsessed with celebrity tattoos, but this one feels different. It’s about the "permission" to change your mind.
- Age is just a number: Getting your first tattoo at 51 is a vibe. It tells people you don't have to have your "aesthetic" figured out by 22.
- The Power of Connection: Using handwriting or children's drawings turns the skin into a living scrapbook.
- The "Drew" Factor: Everyone needs a friend like Drew Barrymore who pushes them out of their comfort zone to do something meaningful.
Savannah’s journey from "never in a million years" to having multiple meaningful pieces shows a shift in how we view body art in professional spaces. If the face of morning news can rock father-tribute ink, the "taboo" is pretty much dead.
Thinking About Your Own Tribute Ink?
If you're inspired by Savannah’s choice to use personal handwriting for a tattoo, there are a few things you should know before you head to the shop.
First, find a high-resolution scan of the writing. Don't just bring a blurry photo of an old envelope. A good artist needs to see the "path" of the pen to replicate the pressure and style correctly.
Second, consider the placement. Savannah chose her inner arm because it’s easy to hide with a blazer for "serious" news segments but easy for her to see when she needs that emotional boost.
Third, go to a specialist. "Fine line" tattooing—which is what Savannah has—is a specific skill. It requires a steady hand and a very thin needle. If the artist usually does giant traditional dragons, they might not be the best fit for your grandmother’s delicate cursive.
Next Steps for You
If you have an old letter or a drawing from your kids sitting in a drawer, take a photo of it today. Even if you aren't ready for the needle yet, preserving that digital "stencil" ensures that if you ever decide to pull a Savannah, the original art is safe and ready to go.