On Monday, NBC announced that Meredith Vieira will be leaving her post as anchor of the Today show on June 8.

Journalist Ann Curry will take Vieira's place alongside Matt Lauer. Natalie Morales will take Curry's place as newsreader.

Vieira also announced the news on Monday. She called it a difficult day. She said that after spending months reflecting on the decision and having conversations with her family and friends, she has decided to step down.

Even as I say this, and I know it's the right thing, I'm really sad, Vieira said. This has been my second home. I really hope to stay in the NBC family.

Vieira's colleagues also had very positive things to say about her. Lauer said Vieira was universally adored by everyone on the show. Curry called her a gift and said, if I could choose, you would not go.

While we will miss waking up with her each morning, we are working together on developing her next chapter at NBC News, NBC News President Steve Capus said in a statement.

Vieira had said that she was leaving because she wants to spend more time with her husband, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, and her children.