Katie Couric, Savannah Guthrie, Sheinelle Jones connected by heartbreak while hosting 'Today' show

Katie Couric was an anchor on the \

Katie Couric is no stranger to being in the spotlight during hard times. But even she can't imagine what current "Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie is going through as authorities continue to search for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen on Jan. 31.

"It's such a singular, unique situation for Savannah," Couric told USA TODAY. "My heart has broken into a million pieces for her."

More: Savannah Guthrie, her missing mom and why so many feel her pain

In 1998, Couric lost her husband, Jay Monahan, to colon cancer. She was an anchor on the "Today" show at the time, and had two young daughters to care for. Couric continues to be a leading advocate for early colorectal cancer screenings because of the profound impact Monahan's death had on her and her family.

"I cannot stop thinking and worrying about Nancy Guthrie, Savannah, her siblings and her children. There is just so much sadness and anxiety in the world − so much cruelty, it is almost impossible to fathom," Couric wrote on Instagram on Feb. 3. "Sending them and all of you out there love and support and praying for the safety and well being of this lovely mom and grandmother and honestly, right now for an entire country that seems lost."