HispanicBusiness

Oregon native Ann Curry made a tearful announcement on the "Today" program early Thursday, confirming rumors that she's stepping down as co-host of the show after only one year.

Wearing a bright orange dress, she told the audience: "For all of you who saw me as a ground-breaker, I'm sorry I couldn't carry the ball over the finish line but man, I did try," she said. "I will keep trying and I'm so sorry I turned into a sob sister this morning."

She addressed the rumors, saying they've hurt: "I don't know who has been behind the leaks, but no question they've hurt deeply," she said.

"For all of you who saw me as a groundbreaker, I'm sorry I couldn't get the ball over the finish line, but man, I did try," she added.

Curry first confirmed her departure in an interview with USA Today.

Curry won't be leaving the network. Instead, she said she'll become a national and international correspondent: "We're going to do great work I hope, and be given a chance to do great work, and these stories are going to air on all the platforms of NBC News."

Co-host Matt Lauer told Curry she has the "biggest heart in the news business." Laurer, Al Roker and Natalie Morales each shared a memories from her career. Then, Curry was gone and the show continued.

Watch her announcement on a video posted on the Huffington Post.

Curry is an University of Oregon alum and Oregon native. She became co-host of the 'Today" program a year ago amid great fanfare, taking over when Meredith Vieira stepped down.