After more than a decade of steady presence on American television, Lester Holt signed off from his role as anchor of NBC Nightly News on Friday, May 30, 2025, marking the end of an era for the network’s flagship evening broadcast. Holt’s departure, announced earlier in February of the same year, ushers in a new chapter not only for him but also for the network, as veteran journalist Tom Llamas steps into the anchor seat starting Monday, June 2, 2025.
Holt, 66, who has been a trusted face for millions of viewers since taking over the weekday anchor role in 2015, reflected on his tenure with heartfelt gratitude during his final broadcast. “After 10 years at Nightly News, it’s my final broadcast — from Paris to Tokyo, Uvalde to Ukraine, the greatest generation to the wild blue yonder, the news we’ve covered, the people we’ve met and the stories we’ve told. Your stories. My gratitude to all of you on this special night,” he said, underscoring the breadth and depth of the stories that defined his time at the helm.
In an emotional farewell surrounded by colleagues and his wife of 42 years, Carol Hagen, Holt emphasized the importance of journalism and connection. “Around here, facts matter, words matter, journalism matters — and you matter,” he said. “Over the last decade, we have shared some dark and harrowing days and nights of our country — the pandemic, mass shootings, natural disasters — each testing our resilience and our compassion. That’s why I often like to leave you with something to smile about, moments that reassure and connect us.”
Holt’s career at NBC spans decades, beginning with weekend editions of Nightly News and co-anchoring Weekend Today before ascending to the weekday anchor position in 2015, succeeding Brian Williams. His rise to prominence was historic; Holt was the first Black solo anchor of a weekday network nightly newscast in the United States, a milestone that resonates deeply in the media landscape.
Born on March 8, 1959, in Marin County, California, Holt’s journalism journey began in radio before transitioning to television newsrooms across major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. His reporting has covered significant global and national events, such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Arab Spring uprisings, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also moderated the 2016 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, a moment of intense national scrutiny.
Despite stepping down from Nightly News, Holt remains an integral part of NBC, continuing as the principal anchor of Dateline, a role he has held for nearly 15 years. The transition reflects his desire to take on a “bigger role” within the network, as he shared during an appearance on the Today show prior to his final broadcast. Holt expressed a wish to avoid being solely associated with one program as he contemplates the later stages of his career and looks forward to spending more time with his grandchildren.
Tom Llamas, who began his tenure as Nightly News anchor on June 2, 2025, inherits a prestigious role with a legacy of trusted journalism. Llamas, a seasoned journalist and host of NBC News Now’s Top Story, brings a fresh perspective as the first Latino to anchor a daily English-language network evening newscast. He acknowledged the significance of this milestone but emphasized merit as the foundation of his appointment. “I don’t think I got this job because I’m Hispanic; I think I got this job because I’m the best person for the job. And I know that’s what NBC believes, too,” Llamas said.
Llamas also shared insights into the demands of the Nightly News anchor role, drawing from advice Holt gave him. “He’s been married to this job,” Llamas noted, describing the intense pressures and sacrifices involved. Balancing family life with the unpredictable nature of breaking news requires careful decisions and support from loved ones. Maintaining his role on Top Story alongside Nightly News, Llamas explained, “Right now, in this country, you’ve got to be everywhere. And I didn’t want to lose what we’ve established for three and a half years.”
The NBC Nightly News continues to hold a strong position in the evening news ratings, typically ranking second behind ABC’s World News Tonight but ahead of CBS Evening News. Despite the fragmentation of audiences in the cable and streaming era, the combined viewership of the three major network evening news programs remains significant, with around 17 million viewers tuning in nightly.
Holt’s departure was marked by tributes from NBC colleagues, including co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin, who acknowledged his dedication and influence over the years. His personal life, too, has been a source of stability and inspiration. Holt met Carol Hagen when they were both 21; they married in 1982 and have two sons, Stefan and Cameron. Stefan followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a news anchor in Chicago, while Cameron works in finance in New York City.
Financially successful and respected, Holt has amassed a net worth estimated at $35 million. He once owned a luxurious Flatiron apartment in New York City’s NoMad district, which he and his wife sold in 2017. The couple has since relocated to a new Manhattan home, maintaining a private family life away from the spotlight.
Throughout his career, Holt has been recognized with multiple Emmy Awards, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, and the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. His calm, steady presence during moments of national crisis and his commitment to factual reporting have solidified his reputation as one of America’s most trusted news anchors.
As Holt moves on to focus full-time on Dateline, he leaves behind a legacy of integrity and connection with viewers. His successor, Tom Llamas, steps up with a promise to uphold those standards and continue delivering important stories with dedication to truth and the audience. Holt’s parting words encapsulate his enduring ethos: “Please continue to take care of yourselves — and each other. And I’ll do the same.”
