Lester Holt signed off from NBC Nightly News with heartfelt emotion Friday night, closing a powerful 10-year chapter that left viewers in tears. The 66-year-old anchor, who guided the nation through crises like COVID-19 and countless tragedies, reflected on a decade of “trust, resilience, and compassion.” Holding back tears, he thanked his audience, crew, and family before passing the torch to incoming anchor Tom Llamas. Though stepping away from the nightly desk, Holt isn’t leaving journalism—he’ll continue anchoring Dateline with a new focus on long-form storytelling. One era ends, but another begins.

Lester Holt Fights Back Tears in Emotional NBC Nightly News Farewell After 10 Years at the Helm

It was the end of an era on Friday night as Lester Holt, one of America’s most trusted news anchors, signed off from NBC Nightly News for the final time after an impactful decade behind the anchor desk. In a poignant farewell, the 66-year-old veteran journalist fought back tears while expressing heartfelt gratitude to viewers, colleagues, and his family, capping off a career milestone that helped guide millions through some of the most turbulent events in recent history.

With his signature calm presence and journalistic integrity, Holt opened his final broadcast not with fanfare, but with sincerity.

“I’m so grateful for your trust,” Holt said, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “Around here, facts matter. Words matter. Journalism matters. And you matter.”

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Over his ten-year tenure, Holt covered a litany of history-defining events—from the COVID-19 pandemic to presidential elections, devastating hurricanes, racial justice protests, and global conflict. His reporting style—fact-based, composed, and empathetic—made him a nightly staple in American households, particularly during uncertain times.

A Decade of Trusted Journalism

Taking over the anchor chair in 2015 from Brian Williams, Holt became the first Black solo anchor of a weekday network nightly newscast, a historic milestone that he consistently downplayed in favor of doing the work. That work, however, spoke volumes.

Friday’s broadcast featured a moving highlight reel of Holt’s most memorable reporting moments: on-the-ground coverage in Ukraine and Iran, interviews with four U.S. Presidents—Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris—and his steady coverage during national crises, including mass shootings and natural disasters.

Though the evening was filled with tributes and accolades, Holt remained focused on the viewers. “It’s why I often like to leave you with something to smile about,” he said. “Moments that reassure and connect us.”

A Thoughtful Exit, Not a Goodbye

While Holt is stepping down from Nightly News, he’s not retiring. He will continue his role at Dateline, a program he’s been affiliated with since 2011. The move allows him to pivot toward longform storytelling—something he’s been yearning to do more of.

“We’re still doing journalism,” Holt said in a recent interview. “But these are hour and two-hour stories that sometimes take months in the making. I’ve done a lot of things that are outside of what many would think is a traditional Dateline, and I want to do more of those.”

His departure is seen not as an ending but as an evolution—shifting from the daily news grind to deeper, investigative storytelling that he believes still matters.

A Family Man at Heart

In his final moments on air, Holt reserved a special thank you for his family, particularly his wife, Carol Hagen, who has supported him through the late nights, breaking news moments, and time away from home.

“Thank you to my incredibly supportive and patient family,” Holt said. “And thank you to all of you. I’ll miss our evenings together, and I’ll miss the team that puts it all together—my dear friends and colleagues.”

He closed the show with a variation of his familiar sign-off: “Please continue to take care of yourself and each other—and I’ll do the same.”

Passing the Torch

Beginning Monday, Tom Llamas will take over as anchor of NBC Nightly News. A seasoned journalist with decades of experience, Llamas has already built a reputation for commanding political coverage and field reporting from global hotspots. His ongoing show, Top Story with Tom Llamas, will continue streaming on NBC News NOW, and he is expected to bring fresh energy to the flagship evening broadcast.

NBC executives have expressed confidence in Llamas’ ability to carry the torch, with insiders describing him as “a natural choice for a new chapter” of the program.

The Legacy Lives On

For many, Holt’s departure feels deeply personal. Viewers across the country have grown up or grown older with his voice guiding them through triumphs and tragedies alike. He wasn’t just a news anchor—he was a calming presence during chaos, a teller of truth when facts felt under siege.

The emotion that welled in his eyes as the final tribute package played spoke to more than just the end of a chapter. It signified the depth of connection between journalist and viewer, built night after night for a decade.

“It’s been quite a ride,” Holt said with a smile. And indeed, it has.

Lester Holt may have exited the anchor chair, but his voice, his impact, and his example remain firmly embedded in the fabric of American journalism.