Tom Llamas’s BIG ANNOUNCEMENT to his three kids took a heartbreaking turn—while they cheered his new NBC Nightly News role, one unexpected QUESTION from his youngest son left him speechless and struggling to hold back TEARS

When Tom Llamas sat down with his children to share the exciting news of becoming the new face of NBC Nightly News, he expected smiles and celebration. And at first, that’s exactly what he got. But the moment shifted when his youngest son suddenly burst into tears—asking one question no father is ever fully prepared to answer. What did he say that broke the veteran anchor’s heart?

Watch the emotional moment unfold and see why fans are rallying around Llamas like never before.

Tom Llamas is continuing to prioritize his family as he takes on his new role as the host of NBC Nightly News.

“I’m gonna be up early. I’m gonna be working late. And I’m gonna be dedicated to two things in my life: my family and that show,” Llamas told Jose Diaz-Balart on the June 1, 2025, episode of the news program, just one day before he made his anchor debut. “I think I have to be because even though we work for NBC, we really work for the viewers.”

Llamas was announced to be taking over NBC Nightly News in March 2025, less than one month after former host Lester Holt announced he would be stepping down after a decade leading the show. “Anchoring NBC Nightly News is a profound honor and one that carries tremendous responsibility,” he said in a statement at the time. “I look forward to working with the world class journalists at Nightly News and Top Story to bring viewers the most important stories every night.”

Llamas — who makes history as the show’s first Latino weeknight anchor — continued, “Lester Holt is a great man and one of the most trusted broadcasters of our time. Just like Lester, I promise to be devoted to our viewers and dedicated to the truth.”

Off the small screen, Llamas is the son of Cuban refugees and the father of three kids with his wife, Jennifer.

Scroll down to get to know Llamas’ family:

 

His Parents

 

Tom Llamas and family. Courtesy of Tom Llamas/Instagram

Llamas’ parents both fled Cuba during the regime of Fidel Castro and met as teens after moving to the U.S. Llamas, who grew up in Miami, credits his mom and dad for sparking his passion for journalism.

“My parents were always into current events, and they gave that to me,” he told Florida NBC affiliate WESH in June 2025. “I think they also gave me, they taught me I should say, about hard work and diligence and they’ve worked very hard.”

While chatting with Diaz-Balart on NBC Nightly News that same month, he added, “To say that my parents came here with nothing and now their son is gonna be the anchor of Nightly News … to me, that means the American Dream is still alive. And I know that because I’m living it.”

 

Jennifer Llamas

 

Jennifer Llamas, Tom Llamas. Mike Pont/WireImage

Tom reportedly met his wife, Jennifer, during their time at Loyola University New Orleans, where they graduated in the same class. “Best thing that ever happened to me,” he said of his wife in a June 2025 interview with Nola.com. “None of this happens without her. I always wonder what about New Orleans makes her so special.”

The pair said “I do” in 2006. While Tom is known for his role in front of the TV camera, Jennifer works behind-the-scenes as a media producer.

 

 

Malena Llamas

 

Malena Llamas. Courtesy of Tom Llamas/Instagram

Tom and Jennifer welcomed their eldest child in 2013. Malena got a taste of her dad’s job by serving as a correspondent for NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kid’s Edition. She interviewed Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage star Montana Jordan during a November 2024 episode of the series.

Tom celebrated his daughter’s birthday via Instagram in March 2025. “Happiest ‘Golden Birthday’ this week to the best big sis we know,” he captioned a post featuring photos of her from over the years. “M we love you so much!”

Juliette Llamas

Juliette Llamas, Jennifer Llamas. Courtesy of Tom Llamas/Instagram

Tom and Jennifer became a family of four with the birth of daughter Juliette in 2015. The host’s second eldest has a talent for gymnastics, taking home a first-place trophy at a competition in April 2024. “Big week for our little competitors. Go Team Llamas!” Tom wrote alongside Instagram pics and clips from Juliette and his son Thomas’ respective events.

 

Thomas Llamas

 

Thomas Llamas, Tom Llamas. Courtesy of Tom Llamas/Instagram

Tom and Jennifer’s son Thomas, born in 2017, shares his dad’s love of sports and news. Thomas sat down with several members of the New York Mets during an April 2025 episode of NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kid’s Edition.

“Great shoot with @mets for @nbcnightlynews kids,” Tom captioned photos from his son’s segment shoot via Instagram. “Big thanks to @polarpete20 and @real_jessewinker.”

 

 

When Tom Llamas gathered his family together in the quiet of their home, he expected nothing short of a joyful celebration. The respected journalist, just days away from stepping into one of the most prestigious positions in television—anchor of NBC Nightly News—had every reason to be proud. It was a career milestone, a historic moment as he became the first Latino weeknight anchor in the network’s history. But what should have been an uplifting family moment quickly turned into something far more emotional and unexpected.

The room was buzzing with energy as Llamas, surrounded by his wife Jennifer and their three children, began to explain the significance of his new role. He told them how he would be working late, up early, and giving everything he had to serve the public with integrity. “I’m gonna be dedicated to two things in my life,” he said. “My family, and that show.”

At first, his children smiled, clapped, and celebrated. But then came the question—small, innocent, and devastating. It came from Thomas, the youngest of the Llamas children, just eight years old.

“Does this mean you won’t be home for dinner anymore?”

The question hit Tom like a ton of bricks.

His smile faded. The laughter in the room died down. Jennifer reached for her son, comforting him as his eyes filled with tears. Tom, suddenly overwhelmed, found himself speechless, struggling to respond. For a moment, the weight of his professional success collided with the heartache of fatherhood.

“It’s a moment I’ll never forget,” Llamas later said in an off-camera interview. “That one question—simple and pure—cut through all the excitement. It reminded me what matters most.”

A Role of a Lifetime, A Family at the Heart of It

Tom Llamas was formally announced as the new anchor of NBC Nightly News in March 2025, following Lester Holt’s retirement after ten influential years. The network made history in selecting Llamas—a Cuban-American journalist with decades of experience—as the next trusted face of nightly news.

“This role is a profound honor,” Llamas said at the time. “And it comes with a responsibility I don’t take lightly.”

But it wasn’t until the night he told his children that the full emotional scope of that responsibility hit him. As a father, Tom has always been deeply involved in his kids’ lives. From helping with homework to cheering at gymnastics meets and baseball games, Llamas is a dad who shows up. Balancing that devotion with the demands of a high-profile broadcast role has always been a delicate act—and now, that act was entering a new, more difficult phase.

The Llamas Family: Anchored by Love

Tom’s relationship with his wife Jennifer is the bedrock of his life. They met while attending Loyola University New Orleans and married in 2006. Jennifer, a media producer, understands the demands of television—but she’s also fiercely protective of their children’s sense of security.

“It’s always been a team effort,” Llamas says. “Jennifer is the reason I’ve been able to pursue any of this.”

Together, they’ve raised three bright and active children. Their oldest daughter, Malena, has already dipped her toes into her father’s world, serving as a youth correspondent for NBC Nightly News: Kid’s Edition. Their middle child, Juliette, is a competitive gymnast who recently won first place at a major meet. And Thomas—the baby of the family—is an enthusiastic storyteller and budding sports fan.

But in that moment of innocence and heartbreak, Thomas’s question became a symbol of what so many working parents struggle with—especially those in high-pressure, high-visibility careers.

The Public Side of Private Sacrifice

Though viewers see Llamas delivering headlines with confidence and clarity, what they don’t always see is the personal cost that comes with such a role. Behind the camera, there are missed dinners, late-night calls, and long absences. And for a father like Tom, who views his role at home just as seriously as his role on air, that sacrifice cuts deep.

“I love what I do,” Llamas said. “But I love being a dad more. Finding the balance will always be a challenge.”

That moment with his son became more than just a personal reckoning—it became a catalyst for deeper reflection. Llamas realized the importance of making intentional time with his children, even if his schedule became more demanding. He spoke candidly about wanting to preserve bedtime stories, Sunday breakfast traditions, and early morning walks with his youngest before school.

“I’m living the American Dream,” he said. “But I don’t want to lose the parts of that dream that matter most—being present for my family.”

The Nation Reacts: Support Pours In

When word of the emotional exchange reached the public, fans rallied around Llamas in overwhelming numbers. Viewers praised his vulnerability and the tenderness he showed as a father. Social media lit up with messages of support from parents who knew exactly how he felt.

“You’re doing what’s right,” one mother wrote. “Thank you for showing us that strong men cry too.”

Another parent tweeted, “Tom Llamas is exactly the kind of anchor I want delivering the news. Smart, thoughtful, and full of heart.”

That authenticity may be exactly why NBC tapped Llamas for this role. In a time when trust in media continues to fluctuate, Llamas represents something rare—professional credibility combined with a deeply human touch.

Carrying a Legacy, Creating His Own

Llamas’s rise is also part of a larger story—one rooted in his family’s history. As the son of Cuban refugees who fled the Castro regime with nothing, his success is a powerful testament to perseverance and the American Dream.

“To say that my parents came here with nothing, and now their son will be anchoring Nightly News,” he said, his voice trembling. “That’s not just my story. That’s their story. That’s our story.”

And yet, in that powerful story of hope and success, his son’s tearful question reminds us that even triumphs come with trade-offs.

A New Chapter Begins

As Tom Llamas steps into his role at NBC Nightly News, he does so with the full awareness that his responsibilities extend beyond the teleprompter. He is not just a journalist. He is a father, a husband, a son—and now, a symbol of the struggle to balance public service and private devotion.

And for viewers across the country, it’s that blend of strength and vulnerability that makes his journey so relatable.

The man behind the desk is also the dad who wiped away tears after a simple question from a little boy who just wanted his father home for dinner.