On May 30, 2025, the NBC Nightly News studio was heavy with emotion as Lester Holt, the trusted anchor who had guided millions through a decade of breaking news, delivered his final broadcast. His voice wavered, his eyes glistened, and his words carried the weight of a career defined by integrity. “After 10 years, this is my last Nightly Newsbroadcast,” Holt said, his steady demeanor giving way to raw vulnerability. “It has been an honor to lead this program, and an honor to be welcomed into your homes.” What followed was a moment so powerful it left the studio—and viewers across the nation—speechless: a spontaneous outpouring of applause, tears, and embraces from colleagues, with Holt’s wife, Carol Hagen, by his side. This wasn’t just a farewell; it was a testament to a man who redefined evening news with grace and grit.

Holt’s journey to the NBC Nightly News anchor chair was neither swift nor simple. Born in 1959 in California, he began his career in 1981 at CBS stations in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, honing his craft as a reporter who chased stories from the ground up. In 2000, he joined MSNBC, and by 2003, he was a substitute anchor for both NBC Nightly News and Today. His weekend anchoring stint from 2007 to 2015 prepared him for the monumental task of replacing Brian Williams in 2015, after a controversy shook the network. Holt stepped into the role as the first Black solo anchor of a weekday network evening news program, a historic milestone that carried immense responsibility. Over the next decade, he became a steady hand in turbulent times, covering everything from presidential elections to natural disasters, pandemics, and social upheavals.

What set Holt apart was his unwavering commitment to facts. “Around here, facts matter,” he said in his farewell, a mantra that resonated deeply in an era of misinformation. His broadcasts were a beacon of clarity, delivered with a calm authority that earned him a reputation as one of America’s most trusted journalists. A 2018 poll underscored this, naming him among the most reliable news anchors in the country. Yet, Holt’s influence extended beyond the teleprompter. He was a mentor to young journalists, a voice for the voiceless, and a storyteller who brought humanity to every headline.

As Holt announced his departure in February 2025, speculation swirled about his reasons. Some pointed to internal shakeups at NBC or the competitive landscape of cable news, where ratings wars and shifting viewer habits have reshaped primetime lineups. But Holt’s explanation was deeply personal. “I never saw myself doing this job forever,” he told Variety in a reflective interview. He expressed a desire to return to his reporting roots, to “flex different news muscles” at Dateline, where he has been a principal anchor since 2011. The move wasn’t a retreat but a reinvention—a chance to dive into long-form storytelling, a format that allows for deeper exploration of complex issues. “I still have gas in the tank,” Holt said, hinting at a future filled with new challenges.

The final broadcast was a masterclass in poignancy. After a montage of Holt’s most memorable moments—reporting from war zones, interviewing world leaders, and comforting viewers during crises—the camera returned to a visibly moved anchor. “Oh my goodness,” he said, his voice catching. “It has been quite a ride.” He thanked his viewers, his crew, and his family, particularly his wife of 42 years, Carol Hagen, who stood nearby, her presence a quiet pillar of support. Holt’s signature sign-off, “Please take care of yourself and each other,” was modified for the occasion: “Please continue to take care of yourself and each other, and I’ll do the same.” It was a promise of continuity, a reminder that while his role was changing, his values would not.

Then came the moment that stole the breath of everyone watching. As Holt concluded, the Nightly News staff flooded the set, breaking the polished veneer of a newsroom to envelop him in hugs and applause. The ovation was thunderous, a raw expression of gratitude for a leader who had steered the program through a decade of challenges. Carol Hagen’s embrace of her husband was particularly poignant, a private moment in a public spotlight that spoke volumes about their partnership. Social media erupted with reactions, with viewers posting messages like, “We will miss you, Lester Holt!” and journalists sharing stories of his mentorship. Even competitors at CBS Evening News paid tribute, with anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois acknowledging Holt’s historic tenure and fierce competition.

Holt’s departure wasn’t without its complexities. Some speculated about the timing, noting that NBC trails ABC’s World News Tonight in ratings, a gap Holt had worked tirelessly to close. Others wondered if the relentless pace of nightly news, coupled with the emotional toll of covering divisive events, had prompted his shift. Yet, those close to Holt emphasized his optimism. His colleagues on Today, including Savannah Guthrie and Dylan Dreyer, celebrated his legacy with warmth. “Congrats on an amazing decade and the new chapter about to unfold!” Guthrie wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of them covering the 2024 presidential election.

The emotional weight of the farewell extended beyond the studio. Holt’s son, Stefan Holt, an anchor at NBC Chicago, delivered a heartfelt on-air tribute that brought tears to viewers’ eyes. “Hey Dad, greetings from Chicago,” Stefan began. “I could not be more proud of your journey… from anchoring here in Chicago to traveling to every hotspot around the world to spending 10 years on the desk of NBC Nightly News.” He acknowledged the sacrifices his father made, balancing a demanding career with fatherhood, and expressed hope for more family time in Chicago with Stefan’s children. The tribute was a reminder of Holt’s dual legacy—as a journalist and a father.

As Holt steps into his full-time role at Dateline, the Nightly News desk welcomes Tom Llamas, a 45-year-old Emmy-winning journalist who has filled in for Holt in the past. Llamas, who begins on June 2, 2025, faces the daunting task of following a legend. “I’m not here to fill Lester Holt’s shoes,” Llamas said. “I’m here to show they were never my size to begin with.” Holt, ever gracious, wished his successor “great success,” a gesture that underscored his class.

For viewers, Holt’s exit marks the end of an era. His bespectacled gaze and steady voice were a nightly ritual, a source of comfort in uncertain times. His commitment to journalism’s core principles—truth, accountability, and empathy—set a standard that will echo for years. As he transitions to Dateline, Holt carries with him the trust of a nation and the gratitude of a studio that, on his final night, showed him what he meant to them. The applause may have faded, but the impact of Lester Holt’s decade at NBC Nightly News will resonate far into the future.