Matt Lauer Biography
Matt Lauer is a former American television journalist and news anchor who gained fame for his lengthy stint on NBC News’ Today show. He kicked off his broadcasting journey in local television before making a name for himself as a news anchor on Today from 1994 to 1997. In 1997, he stepped into the role of co-host for the morning program, a position he held until 2017. Throughout his time at NBC, Lauer also made contributions to the network’s newsmagazine Dateline NBC, hosted the beloved Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and co-hosted the opening ceremonies for several Olympic Games.
However, in November 2017, NBC made the decision to terminate Lauer’s employment after receiving a complaint from a colleague regarding inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. The network revealed that they had received a detailed complaint and believed the incident might not have been an isolated case. This marked a sudden end to his decades-long career at NBC and drew significant media attention.
Matt Lauer Age
Matt Lauer was born on December 30, 1957, in the bustling city of New York. That makes him 68 years old as of 2026. His full name? It’s Matthew Todd Lauer.
Growing up in the U.S., Lauer discovered his passion for broadcasting early on, which eventually led him to a successful career in local television news. His initial roles in reporting and presenting laid the groundwork for his transition to national television.
Matt Lauer Education
Lauer kicked off his college journey at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where he dove into communications. He started his studies in 1975 but decided to leave before finishing his degree to chase a broadcasting opportunity.
Instead of sticking it out in college, Lauer focused on gaining hands-on experience in the world of television news. He landed his first job at WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia, in 1979, starting as a midday news producer and then stepping into on-air reporting.
Matt Lauer Nationality
Matt Lauer proudly holds American nationality. Born in New York City, he built his career right here in the U.S., working his way up through local television stations before making a name for himself at NBC News on a national level.
Matt Lauer Height
When it comes to height, Matt Lauer is often noted to be around 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall. This detail is frequently searched by fans who fondly remember his time presenting on the Today show alongside co-hosts like Katie Couric, Ann Curry, and Savannah Guthrie.
Matt Lauer Parents
Matt Lauer’s family background is quite interesting. He was born to Jay Robert Lauer and Marilyn Lauer, who was originally Marilyn Kolmer. His dad was a bicycle-company executive, while his mom ran a boutique. Unfortunately, his parents separated when he was still quite young.
Lauer’s father had Romanian Jewish roots, but his mother wasn’t Jewish. This mix of backgrounds played a role in shaping his early life before he ventured into the world of television broadcasting.
Matt Lauer Wife
When it comes to his personal life, Matt Lauer has been married twice. His first marriage was to television producer Nancy Alspaugh in 1982, but they divorced in 1989 without having any children.
In 1998, he tied the knot with Dutch model Annette Roque, whom he met on a blind date. Their marriage lasted over twenty years, though they faced some challenges along the way before eventually separating.
After the allegations against him in 2017, Lauer’s relationship with Roque came under heavy public scrutiny. She filed for divorce in 2019, and they finalized it that September. Together, they have three kids.
As of 2026, Lauer has been linked to Shamin Abas, a public relations and marketing executive. They reportedly started dating in late 2019 and have kept their relationship mostly private. They were spotted together during a rare public outing in Sag Harbor, New York, in March 2026.
Matt Lauer Children
Speaking of his children, Matt Lauer has three with Annette Roque:
– Jack Lauer, born in June 2001.
– Romy Lauer, born in October 2003.
– Thijs Lauer, born in November 2006.
Katie Couric and Matt Lauer
Katie Couric and Matt Lauer were the dynamic duo of NBC’s Today show, co-hosting together from 1997 until Couric’s exit in 2006. They became one of the most recognizable pairs in American morning television.
Couric first joined the Today team in 1991 and stepped into the co-anchor role that same year, while Lauer came on board as co-host in 1997. Their partnership spanned nearly ten years and featured interviews with a host of political leaders, celebrities, and influential figures.
In 2006, Couric made the leap to CBS Evening News, marking a new chapter in her career. She went on to explore various television and digital media projects, even launching her own media company.
Their professional journey has gained fresh scrutiny since Lauer’s dismissal in 2017. In her memoir, Going There, released in 2021, Couric opened up about her time at NBC and her feelings regarding the allegations against Lauer. She shared her shock at the news and reflected on the workplace culture during their time together.
While Couric and Lauer’s shared history is a significant part of the Today show’s narrative, it’s essential to separate their former collaboration from their individual reactions to the subsequent controversy.
What Did Matt Lauer Do to Ann Curry?
Ann Curry and Matt Lauer teamed up on the Today show, where Curry stepped into the co-anchor role in June 2011. Unfortunately, her time in that position was short-lived, lasting about a year before she exited in June 2012.
Her departure stirred up quite a bit of controversy. Reports indicated that there were tensions between the two anchors and worries about the show’s future that played a part in her leaving. Some sources even claimed that Lauer had a hand in the decision to replace her, but the exact nature of his influence on the network’s choice remains unclear.
Curry later expressed that leaving was a deeply painful experience for her, and she struggled to understand why she was let go. She firmly stated that she hadn’t done anything wrong in her role.
It is important to distinguish between confirmed events and allegations about behind-the-scenes decisions. Curry’s departure from Today is documented, but claims that Lauer personally engineered her removal should not be presented as established fact.
Is The Morning Show Inspired by Matt Lauer?
The Morning Show is a fictional drama on Apple TV that dives into the cutthroat world of morning television, exploring themes of workplace power dynamics and allegations of sexual misconduct.
Since its debut in 2019, the series has featured Jennifer Aniston as Alex Levy and Reese Witherspoon as Bradley Jackson. The first season delves into the chaos that ensues after a well-known male anchor is let go due to sexual misconduct allegations.
Many have drawn parallels between the show’s narrative and real-life events surrounding Matt Lauer and NBC’s Today show, especially since it premiered just under two years after Lauer’s firing. However, it’s important to note that the show isn’t a direct biography of Lauer’s life. Instead, it serves as a fictional exploration of broader issues within television journalism and workplace culture.
While Lauer’s dismissal certainly sparked conversations related to the show’s themes, the characters and plots should not be seen as direct reflections of actual individuals or events.
What Is Matt Lauer Doing Now? Matt Lauer Now in 2026
What’s Matt Lauer up to these days? Fast forward to 2026, and it seems he’s keeping a low profile, mostly staying out of the limelight. He’s been spotted around the Hamptons in New York, and there are whispers that he also enjoys some time at a property in New Zealand.
In March 2026, he made headlines when he was seen out and about with his longtime girlfriend, Shamin Abas, in Sag Harbor. This outing caught quite a bit of attention since he doesn’t often step into the public eye like he used to during his television days.
What Happened to Matt Lauer?
Matt Lauer’s time in the spotlight came to a sudden halt in November 2017 when NBC received a complaint about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.
Following an investigation into the matter, the network decided to terminate his employment, suggesting that this incident might not have been an isolated case. In the wake of his dismissal, more women stepped forward with their own allegations of sexual misconduct.
In 2019, former NBC employee Brooke Nevils publicly accused Lauer of sexually assaulting her during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Lauer denied the rape allegation, insisting that their encounter was consensual. He also faced additional allegations and accounts of inappropriate behavior, which he contested in various public statements.
This scandal effectively marked the end of his career as a leading television presenter. He never returned to his role on Today, and his public appearances dwindled significantly.
The fallout from this controversy also took a toll on his personal life, leading to the end of his marriage to Annette Roque, which culminated in divorce in 2019.
Matt Lauer NBC News
Matt Lauer dedicated over twenty years to NBC, rising to become one of the network’s most recognizable faces in television.
He kicked off his journey with the Today show as a news anchor in 1994 and stepped into the role of co-host in January 1997. Throughout his time there, he teamed up with several notable presenters, including Katie Couric, Meredith Vieira, Ann Curry, and Savannah Guthrie.
But Lauer’s contributions went far beyond just the morning show. He was also involved with Dateline NBC, took the reins for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and reported on numerous Olympic Games. One of his standout segments, Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?, saw him traveling to various international locations to share stories about people, cultures, and significant events.
However, his career at NBC came to an abrupt end on November 29, 2017, when the network let him go following a complaint regarding inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. NBC indicated that they had reason to believe this incident might not have been an isolated case. As more allegations surfaced, Lauer contested some of them, asserting that certain encounters were consensual.
His firing marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing conversation about sexual misconduct and accountability in the media industry.
Are Savannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer Still Friends?
The current status of Savannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer’s friendship isn’t entirely clear to the public.
They were once a dynamic duo on the Today show, but everything changed dramatically when NBC let Lauer go in 2017. Guthrie and her co-host Hoda Kotb had the tough job of announcing his exit to viewers during a live broadcast.
Guthrie shared her feelings of sadness and shock over the news, while also recognizing the gravity of the allegations against Lauer. Her comments highlighted the challenge of balancing her professional experiences with the serious accusations that surfaced.
While Lauer is said to have kept in touch with some former colleagues, there’s not enough reliable information out there to confirm whether he and Guthrie are still close friends today. So, it’s wise to separate their documented working relationship from any speculation about their personal interactions.
Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie: Was He Her First Husband?
No, Matt Lauer was never Savannah Guthrie’s husband, and he certainly wasn’t her first husband either.
Guthrie and Lauer were actually colleagues on NBC’s Today show, where they co-hosted from 2012 until Lauer’s exit in 2017.
Before Lauer, Savannah was married to journalist Mark Orchard. They tied the knot in 2005 but ended up divorcing in 2009. Later on, she married political and communications consultant Michael Feldman in March 2014, and together they have two kids.
People sometimes get confused because Guthrie and Lauer worked side by side for years on morning television. But despite their close professional bond, they were never married.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matt Lauer
How old is Matt Lauer in 2026?
In 2026, Matt Lauer will be 68 years old, having been born on December 30, 1957.
Where did Matt Lauer go to college?
He started his journey at Ohio University but decided to leave before finishing his communications degree to chase his dream in broadcasting.
Who was Matt Lauer’s first wife?
Matt’s first wife was Nancy Alspaugh, a television producer. They tied the knot in 1982 but parted ways in 1989.
How many children does Matt Lauer have?
He has three kids with his ex-wife, Annette Roque: Jack, Romy, and Thijs.
Why was Matt Lauer fired from NBC?
NBC let him go in November 2017 after they received a complaint about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. More allegations came to light afterward, which Lauer contested in part.
Is Matt Lauer returning to television?
There have been whispers about his interest in making a comeback in the media world, but as of October 2026, there’s no confirmed news about him returning to a major television news role.
Who is Matt Lauer dating?
Since 2019, he has been linked to Shamin Abas, a public relations executive.
What is Matt Lauer’s estimated net worth?
His net worth is often estimated to be around $80 million.
