Ann Curry Fired from NBC's 'Today' Show: Co-Host Confirms Exit Ahead of Public Announcement

Ann Curry confirmed early Thursday that she will leave NBC's "Today" show.

In a telephone interview with USA Today, Curry said she planned to make the announcement on the "Today" show. Her voice sounded as if she were fighting back tears, according to the paper.

"I'm going to have to tell our viewers. That's what makes me more emotional than anything. I don't want to leave them. I love them. And I will really miss them," Curry told USA Today.

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Curry's confirmation marks the end of one week of speculation that she was exiting as cohost of the show after one year.

According to reports, Curry was negotiating her departure for $10 million.

Curry was in the midst of a three-year $20 million contract that guaranteed her $10 million in her final year, according to reports from the New York Post and TMZ.

Curry has been co-anchor of Today since June 2011. She joined the show as news anchor in March of 1997 until June 2011 and the anchor of "Dateline NBC" from May 2005 until September 2011.

Her expertise is in global humanitarian reporting. She has earned five Emmy Awards.

Natalie Morales, a "Today" news anchor, and Savannah Guthrie, co-host of the show's third hour, are considered the most likely candidates to take over from Curry.

According to TMZ Guthrie has already made a deal with NBC to succeed Curry.

But that scenario may not be favorable for Morales.

"If Natalie's passed over for the job, she's going to leave next," a source told New York Post.

"This will be the second time [Natalie] has been passed over for the top job. And she's not happy."
Ann Curry, host of NBC's morning television program "Today", was formerly a news anchor for the show before her promotion as host alongside Matt Lauer last year. Subsequently, Morales was also promoted and landed Curry's former news anchor job.