Disgraced 'Today' Anchor Matt Lauer Is Slowly Coming out of Hiding
"He’s planning his next act, still very upset with how he was portrayed, and still feels like he was the victim," a source shared.
Jul. 11 2024, Updated 2:43 p.m. ET
When 2017's #MeToo Movement broke, the never-ending stories of sexual impropriety that came to light took down a series of powerful men in the media and other industries.
In one of those revelations, The Today Show anchor Matt Lauer was accused of sexual harassment and was subsequently fired.
Although his career seemed to be over then, the scandal around Lauer deepened in 2019 when his accuser, Brooke Nevils, detailed how the anchor raped her in Ronan Farrow’s book, Catch and Kill. Lauer vehemently denied the allegations.
It’s been a few years since his firing, so you're not alone in wondering: Where is Matt Lauer now? Distractify investigates to find out where the disgraced anchor has been spending his time and what his future plans may be.
Matt Lauer paddleboarding in The Hamptons in August 2018.
Matt Lauer was recently spotted at Don Lemon's wedding in April 2024.
Since being accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women and being fired by NBC, Lauer has been laying low at his Hamptons home. Soon after being fired, Lauer was kicked out of the family home by his then-wife, Annette Roque, and the couple soon filed for divorce after 20 years of marriage.
That wasn’t the first time Annette had tried to file for divorce.
In 2006, she claimed in court divorce documents that Matt had committed “cruel and inhumane acts” against her. Annette withdrew the papers when Lauer allegedly offered her $5 million to stay in the marriage so as to maintain his public image. However, this time, the divorce stuck and the couple split their four properties.
Annette reportedly received an additional lump sum of $25 million.
Matt with his ex-wife Annette Roque in 2013.
While that sounds like a lot of money, keep in mind that Lauer was paid more than $25 million a year for his job on Today. In fact, his net worth is reportedly somewhere between $60 and $80 million.
In April 2024, he was spotted leaving Don Lemon's wedding to Tim Malone, which took place at the Polo Bar in NYC.
Matt is still with his girlfriend Shamin Abas.
Since 2019, Matt has been in a relationship with longtime friend and public relations executive, Shamin Abas. Shamin is a successful marketing expert whose clients include ultra-luxury brands like Rolls-Royce, Ferrari North America, and Dom Pérignon.
Matt Lauer and girlfriend Shamin Abas in April 2024
While many close friends turned on Lauer after the horrendous allegations surfaced, Shamin reportedly remained close throughout the scandal. After Lauer's divorce was finalized, the relationship turned romantic.
She was his date at Don Lemon's wedding.
Will Matt Lauer return to television?
According to sources, Lauer is planning his TV comeback.
"He’s started to talk to people," a source told Us Weekly. "He’s planning his next act, still very upset with how he was portrayed, and still feels like he was the victim."
Matt Lauer at the Southampton Animal Shelter's 14th Annual Unconditional Love Gala in July 2023
The source continued, "He went from being the biggest guy out there, and now every headline [attached to him] is ‘disgraced;’ it’s very painful for him to go out there with his girlfriend. He’s very thin-skinned — don’t expect an apology, he’s the one who feels is owed an apology."
He definitely won't be returning to The Today Show. Since his departure, TODAY has been the No. 1 morning show for 2023 when it comes to the key demographic A25-54, marking its eighth win in a row.