Brief Introduction of Matt Lauer
Matt Lauer is a prominent former American television news personality, widely recognized for his extensive career with NBC News, most notably as the co-host of the highly popular morning news and talk show, Today [1, 3, 5]. For two decades, from 1997 to 2017, Lauer was a staple of American morning television, known for his personable demeanor and versatile interviewing style [2, 8]. His career, marked by numerous high-profile interviews and on-location reports, came to an abrupt end in November 2017 when NBC terminated his contract following allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace [1, 2, 3]. This sudden dismissal dramatically altered his public image and legacy, shifting from one of America’s most trusted television personalities to a figure at the center of the #MeToo movement’s scrutiny [2, 3, 8].
Matt Lauer Overview
| Full Name | Matthew Todd Lauer |
| Date of Birth | December 30, 1957 [1, 6] |
| Age (as of August 2025) | 67 years old [1, 6] |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, U.S. [1, 6] |
| Nationality | American [5, 9] |
| Ethnicity | White (Father of Romanian Jewish ancestry, Mother of English, Scottish, Northern Irish, German, and Dutch ancestry) [1, 9] |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (1.8 meters) [2, 9, 10] |
| Profession | Former Television Journalist, News Anchor, TV Host [2, 5, 7] |
| Alma Mater | Ohio University (graduated 1997) [1, 3, 7] |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Alspaugh (m. 1982; div. 1989) [1, 6] Annette Roque (m. 1998; div. 2019) [1, 6] |
| Children | 3 (Jack Matthew, Romy, Thijs) [1, 6, 17] |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | $80 Million (as of recent estimates) [2] |
Early Life and Education of Matt Lauer
Matthew Todd Lauer was born on December 30, 1957, in New York City [1, 6]. His mother, Marilyn Lauer (née Gentry), owned a boutique, and his father, Jay Robert Lauer, was an executive at a bicycle company [1, 2, 12, 14]. Lauer’s father had Romanian Jewish ancestry, while his mother’s ancestry included English, Scottish, Northern Irish (Scots-Irish), German, and Dutch roots [1, 9]. He has stated that he was not raised in any specific religion [1, 14].
Lauer grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, and attended Ohio University, where he majored in communications [8, 9]. However, he left the university in the spring of 1979, four credits shy of graduating, to embark on his television career [1, 3, 8]. He eventually completed his undergraduate degree from Ohio University at the age of 39 in 1997 [1, 3, 14]. His early professional step was an internship at WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia, where he started as a producer for the noon newscast [1, 3, 14]. By 1980, he had transitioned to an on-air reporter for the station’s 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts [1, 8].
Matt Lauer’s Career
Matt Lauer’s extensive career in television journalism spanned nearly four decades, marked by a steady ascent through local and national broadcasting [1, 3]. After his initial role at WOWK-TV, Lauer moved across the East Coast, hosting various daily information and talk programs [1, 4]. He was a co-host of the nationally syndicated PM Magazine in several cities, including Richmond (1980–1981), Providence (1981–1984), and New York City (1984–1986) [1, 3, 8]. Following the cancellation of PM Magazine in New York, he co-hosted Made in New York for a brief period in 1986 [1]. He also had a stint as co-host of ABC’s daytime series Fame, Fortune and Romance [2].
Lauer returned to local television in Philadelphia and Boston from 1987 to 1989, and also reported for ESPN and anchored entertainment news segments for HBO [1, 8]. In September 1989, he moved back to New York City to host 9 Broadcast Plaza, a three-hour live interview program for WWOR-TV [1, 8].
His significant breakthrough came in 1992 when he joined NBC’s New York flagship station, WNBC, as co-anchor of the early weekday news show Today in New York [1, 2, 8]. The following year, he became co-anchor of Live at Five [1, 3]. These local roles provided him with opportunities on NBC’s national news broadcasts, where he began filling in as a newsreader and co-anchor on Today [1, 3].
In January 1994, Lauer officially joined The Today Show full-time as a news anchor [1, 2]. He frequently substituted for Bryant Gumbel, the program’s co-host, and other anchors on Weekend Today and NBC News at Sunrise [1, 2, 8]. His consistent performance led to him being named the official co-anchor of Today on January 6, 1997, succeeding Bryant Gumbel [1, 2, 8].
As co-anchor of Today from 1997 to 2017, Lauer became one of the most recognizable faces in American morning television [1, 2, 3]. He conducted numerous high-profile interviews with politicians, dignitaries, celebrities, and newsmakers, delivering on-location reports from around the world [2, 3, 8]. His versatility allowed him to handle both serious news and lighter human interest stories [2]. Lauer was also a frequent contributor to Dateline NBC [1].
A popular segment during his tenure was “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?”, an annual five-day, globe-spanning adventure from 1998 to 2011, where he reported from diverse locations such as Bhutan, Easter Island, and the Great Wall of China [1, 8, 14]. Beyond Today, Lauer co-hosted NBC’s live coverage of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade annually from 1998 to 2017 [1]. He also co-hosted the opening ceremonies of several Olympic Games, including the Summer Olympics in 2008, 2012, and 2016, and the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014 [1, 8, 30]. Notable interviews included his 2015 discussion with Charlie Sheen, where Sheen revealed he was HIV-positive, and separate 30-minute interviews with presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in 2016 [1, 8].
Matt Lauer Personal Life & Family
Matt Lauer has been married twice. His first marriage was to television producer Nancy Alspaugh from 1982 to 1989, and they did not have any children together [1, 6, 14].
He later married Dutch model Annette Roque, whom he met on a blind date in July 1997, just months after he became co-host of Today [1, 17]. They were married in Bridgehampton, New York, on October 3, 1998, after Lauer proposed five months into their relationship [1, 17]. Together, they have three children: sons Jack Matthew (born July 26, 2001) and Thijs (born November 28, 2006), and their only daughter, Romy (born October 2, 2003) [1, 6, 10, 17].
In 2006, while pregnant with their third child, Annette Roque filed for divorce, citing “mental abuse, extreme mental and emotional distress, humiliation, torment, and anxiety” by Lauer. However, they reconciled weeks later [1, 9, 14]. Their marriage officially ended in divorce on September 7, 2019, following nearly two years of separation after his 2017 firing from NBC [1, 6, 14, 24].
Since his dismissal and divorce, Lauer has largely retreated from public life, reportedly focusing on his family and maintaining a low profile [2, 10, 17, 24]. Sources indicate that he prioritizes his children and maintains a good relationship with them, often seen attending their events and spending time in the Hamptons [17, 19, 24, 27]. His daughter, Romy, is an avid equestrian, and her parents often reunite to cheer her on at competitions [24]. Lauer also owns a farm in New Zealand, where he has reportedly spent more time [14, 29]. As of late 2023, he was reportedly in a serious relationship with publicist Shamin Abas, with whom he has been dating since 2019 [29].
Awards and Achievements of Matt Lauer
During his extensive career in broadcast journalism, Matt Lauer received recognition for his work, particularly during his two decades as co-anchor of NBC’s Today show. While his legacy has been significantly impacted by later events, his professional achievements include:
- Emmy Awards:
- Outstanding Interview (Winner) – 2005 [16]
- Excellence in Morning Programming (Winner) – 2007, for his work on Today [16, 26]
- Nominated for Outstanding Instant Coverage of a News Story – 2000 [16]
- Nominated for Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing News Story in a News Magazine – 2003 [16]
- Nominated for Outstanding Feature Story in a News Magazine – 2007 [16]
- Nominated for Outstanding Continuing Coverage of a News Story in a News Magazine – 2009 [16]
- Nominated for Outstanding Interview – 2011 [16]
- GQ Magazine “Men of the Year” Award: 1998 [28]
- Chosen by People magazine as one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” in 1997 [9].
- His role as co-host on Today contributed to the show maintaining its status as one of America’s most beloved morning programs, often leading in viewership ratings [30].
- Successfully conducted numerous high-profile interviews with world leaders, celebrities, and newsmakers [2, 30].
- Hosted the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and co-hosted the opening ceremonies of several Olympic Games for NBC [1, 30].
Matt Lauer Net Worth and Income
As of recent estimates, Matt Lauer’s net worth is approximately $80 million [2]. His wealth was primarily accumulated during his long and highly lucrative career as a television journalist and host, particularly his two-decade tenure as the co-anchor of NBC’s Today show [2].
At the peak of his career, Lauer was one of the highest-paid personalities in television. He signed a contract with NBC in 2012 that reportedly paid him $20 million per year [7]. By 2016, he negotiated a new contract through 2018, which was reported to pay him $25 million annually [7, 8]. Before his firing and subsequent divorce, his net worth was estimated to have easily topped $120-$150 million [2].
His income sources included his substantial salary from NBC News, as well as contributions to other NBC programs like Dateline NBC, hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and co-hosting Olympic Games coverage [1, 2, 7]. Beyond his on-air duties, Lauer’s income likely stemmed from various endorsements, speaking engagements, and potentially investments made throughout his high-earning years. However, his dismissal from NBC and the ensuing divorce had a significant impact on his financial standing [2].
Legacy and Influence
Matt Lauer’s legacy is complex and has been profoundly reshaped by the circumstances of his departure from NBC News. For two decades, he was one of the most dominant and influential figures in morning television, helping Today maintain its leading position in viewership ratings [2, 30]. His affable personality, sharp interviewing skills, and ability to transition between hard news and lighthearted segments made him a widely trusted and popular figure [2, 8]. He conducted groundbreaking interviews with numerous world leaders, politicians, and celebrities, delivering impactful reports from across the globe [2, 3, 8, 30]. His “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?” segment was particularly popular, allowing viewers to travel vicariously to exotic and significant locations [1, 14, 30].
However, his influence and public image dramatically shifted after his abrupt firing from NBC in November 2017 due to allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior [1, 2, 8]. This dismissal occurred amidst the broader #MeToo movement, placing Lauer at the center of a national conversation about workplace conduct and power dynamics [3]. The scandal irrevocably tarnished his reputation, overshadowing his earlier professional accomplishments and creating a challenging and complicated legacy [2].
In the wake of the allegations, Lauer largely withdrew from public life, focusing on his family [2, 24]. His career, once a benchmark for success in broadcast journalism, now serves as a cautionary tale within the industry, prompting broader examinations of workplace culture and accountability. While his journalistic achievements are part of television history, his public image is now inextricably linked to the controversies that ended his career [2].
Interesting Facts about Matt Lauer
Matt Lauer initially dropped out of Ohio University four credits shy of his degree to begin his television career but later completed it at age 39 in 1997 [1, 3, 14].
He is the grandson of singer Art Gentry [1, 14].
Before his national fame, Lauer considered leaving television altogether after being out of work for over a year in the early 1990s [8].
Lauer was noted for his “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?” segment, which took him to over 25 different international locations, logging more than 150,000 travel miles [1, 8, 14].
In 2005, Lauer had a tense on-air disagreement with actor Tom Cruise during an interview, where Cruise called Lauer “glib” for his questions about psychiatry [7, 14]. Cruise later expressed regret for the exchange [14].
He made guest appearances playing himself on NBC comedy shows like 30 Rock and a live episode of Will & Grace [14].
Lauer and his daughter, Romy, co-hosted a Sesame Street DVD show called Sesame Beginnings: Exploring Together when Romy was three years old [14, 19].
He was reportedly earning $25 million per year in his final contract with NBC before his termination [7, 8].
After his firing, Lauer reportedly deactivated his social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) in December 2017 [11]. However, he made a brief appearance on his daughter Romy’s TikTok in October 2019, which garnered mixed reactions [20].
Controversies
Matt Lauer’s career ended abruptly in November 2017 due to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which became a significant part of the #MeToo movement [1, 3, 8].
The initial detailed complaint against Lauer came on November 27, 2017, from an anonymous female NBC employee who alleged sexual harassment during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and continuing thereafter [1, 15]. NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack announced Lauer’s termination on November 29, 2017, stating the complaint was “a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace” and that NBC had “reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident” [1].
In the days and weeks that followed, additional accusations against Lauer emerged. Variety magazine and Ronan Farrow’s 2019 book, Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators, brought further details to light [1, 15, 21]. Former NBC News employee Brooke Nevils publicly identified herself as the initial accuser in Farrow’s book, alleging that Lauer anally raped her in his hotel room while they were in Sochi covering the 2014 Winter Olympics [1, 15, 21, 23, 27]. Nevils stated she was “too drunk to consent” and repeatedly expressed that she did not want to have anal intercourse [15, 27]. She also described subsequent sexual encounters with Lauer as “transactional” [1, 27].
Other allegations included Lauer reportedly exposing himself to a female colleague at an NBC cocktail party in 2010, giving a female colleague a sex toy with an explicit note, and allegedly bringing a female employee into his office, dropping his pants, and reprimanding her for not engaging in a sexual act [15]. Former Today production assistant Addie Zinone also claimed to have had a consensual sexual relationship with Lauer in 2000, which she characterized as an “abuse of power” on Lauer’s part due to her fear that refusing his advances would harm her career [1, 21].
Lauer has consistently denied the rape allegation, stating in a lengthy letter to Variety that while he had an “extramarital, but consensual, sexual encounter” with Nevils in Sochi, the initial encounter was not non-consensual and that all sexual acts were “mutual and completely consensual” [1, 15, 18, 21]. He also claimed that Nevils never used the words “assault” or “rape” in her initial complaint to NBC [18]. NBC stated that Lauer’s conduct was “appalling and horrific” and that he was fired within 24 hours of their first learning of the complaint [23].
These controversies led to the abrupt end of his illustrious career and a significant re-evaluation of his public persona, solidifying his association with the broader issues of sexual harassment and power abuse in the workplace [2, 3].
Social Media Presence
Following his termination from NBC in November 2017 due to sexual misconduct allegations, Matt Lauer quietly deactivated his Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts within days [11]. This move was seen as an effort to keep a low profile amidst the unfolding scandal [11].
For several years, Lauer maintained a minimal to non-existent public social media presence. However, in October 2019, he made a brief return to the online spotlight by appearing in his daughter Romy’s TikTok videos [20, 24]. In one clip, he was seen lip-syncing, and in another, dancing [20]. These appearances garnered mixed reactions online, with some users making references to the allegations against him [20]. Despite these occasional appearances, Lauer has largely remained withdrawn from active personal social media engagement [29]. Sources indicate he generally keeps a very low profile, avoiding added opportunities for public scrutiny [29].
Final Words about Matt Lauer
Matt Lauer, once a central figure in American morning television, now leads a life largely outside the public eye, significantly altered by the events of late 2017. His career as the long-running co-host of NBC’s Today* show cemented his place as a prominent and influential journalist, known for his affable on-screen presence and skilled interviewing [1, 8]. However, his abrupt dismissal from NBC due to allegations of sexual misconduct fundamentally reshaped his public identity and legacy [1, 2].
In the years following his firing and subsequent divorce from Annette Roque in 2019, Lauer has maintained a low profile, primarily residing in the Hamptons and spending time at his farm in New Zealand [14, 24, 29]. Sources close to him indicate that his main focus remains on his three children, Jack, Romy, and Thijs, with whom he reportedly maintains a “good relationship” [17, 24, 27]. He is often seen attending their school and equestrian events, underscoring his commitment to his family life away from the spotlight [17, 24].
As of 2025, Lauer continues to live a private life, deliberately avoiding public attention [29]. While his past journalistic achievements are undeniable, his future plans do not appear to involve a return to mainstream media. His legacy remains a complex and debated subject, intertwined with the broader discussions ignited by the #MeToo movement concerning power, consent, and accountability in professional environments. He has reportedly “drastically changed his social circle” and relies on a close network of friends, including his longtime friend Bryant Gumbel [29]. He is also reportedly still in a serious relationship with Shamin Abas [29]. Lauer’s story stands as a poignant example of a celebrated career ending amidst significant controversy, leaving behind a lasting impact on how media figures are perceived and held accountable.
