The $80 Million Recluse: 5 Shocking Details About Matt Lauer's Quiet Life And Rumored TV Comeback

After years out of the spotlight, the name Matt Lauer still carries significant weight in the media world, particularly as of late 2025. The former *Today* show co-anchor, who was abruptly fired from NBC in 2017 amid a storm of sexual misconduct allegations, has largely retreated from public life, choosing a quiet existence in the Hamptons. However, recent reports suggest the 67-year-old is actively plotting a return to the media arena, a move that is sparking intense debate and curiosity across the industry. The current narrative around Lauer is a complex blend of high-net-worth real estate transactions, a steady long-term relationship, and persistent, yet unconfirmed, rumors of a professional resurgence. While his quiet life seems comfortable, sources close to the disgraced anchor indicate a strong desire to re-enter the public eye, potentially leveraging the very scandal that ended his 20-year career at NBC. This article delves into the most recent and compelling details of Matt Lauer’s life today, eight years after his dramatic fall from grace.

Matthew Todd Lauer: A Comprehensive Biography and Career Timeline

Matthew Todd Lauer was born on December 30, 1957, in New York City, New York. He rose to become one of the most recognizable and highest-paid figures in American television news, a career built over decades before its abrupt conclusion.

• Full Name: Matthew Todd Lauer
• Born: December 30, 1957
• Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
• Education: Attended Ohio University, where he majored in Communications but left in 1979, four credits shy of his degree, to pursue his broadcasting career.
• Early Career: Began his career in local news, including a stint as a news producer/reporter, before moving into national broadcasting.
• NBC News: Joined NBC News in the early 1990s.
• *Today* Show News Anchor: Became the news anchor for the *Today* show in 1994.
• *Today* Show Co-Anchor: Promoted to co-anchor of the flagship morning program on January 6, 1997, a role he held for two decades. He co-hosted alongside notable figures like Katie Couric and Savannah Guthrie.
• Firing: Terminated by NBC on November 29, 2017, following a complaint of "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace."
• Marriages: Nancy Alspaugh (m. 1982; div. 1989); Annette Roque (m. 1998; div. 2019). [cite: 12 from step 1]
• Children: Three children with Annette Roque. [cite: 2 from step 1]

The Quiet Life: Shamin Abas, Hamptons Real Estate, and His $80 Million Net Worth

Since his firing, Matt Lauer has transitioned to a highly private, reclusive lifestyle, primarily centered around his luxurious properties and his long-term partner.

A Steady Relationship with Shamin Abas

Lauer has been in a committed relationship with publicist and entrepreneur Shamin Abas since 2019. [cite: 4 from step 1] Abas, who is reportedly a long-time friend of Lauer's, has been a constant presence in his life as he navigated his high-profile divorce from his ex-wife, Annette Roque. [cite: 4 from step 1] The couple has maintained a notably low profile, with sources indicating they are "very much together" and that Lauer prefers to stay "low-key" in his private life. [cite: 10 from step 1]

The Multi-Million Dollar Real Estate Portfolio

Despite his absence from television, Lauer's financial standing remains robust. His net worth is currently estimated to be approximately $80 million, a figure largely built from his multi-million dollar contracts during his peak at NBC. [cite: 7, 8 from step 1] His primary residence is reportedly in the Hamptons, where he lives a "very quiet lifestyle." [cite: 3 from step 1] In a significant recent development, Lauer’s sprawling waterfront compound in Sag Harbor, New York, has resurfaced on the market. [cite: 15 from step 1] The property, known as 'Strongheart Manor,' which he purchased from actor Richard Gere, was recently listed with an asking price of $44 million, showcasing the scale of his assets. [cite: 15 from step 1] Lauer also reportedly maintains a home in New Zealand, which he visits often. [cite: 5 from step 1]

The Persistent Rumor Mill: A Media Comeback and Unlikely Alliances

Eight years removed from the scandal, the most compelling and controversial speculation surrounding Matt Lauer is his desire to make a return to the media industry. Sources close to the former anchor confirmed in recent reports that Lauer is "looking to get back into" the media arena, if not TV, in some capacity. [cite: 5, 9 from step 1]

Eyeing a Television Resurgence

At 67, Lauer is reportedly discussing a potential TV comeback. [cite: 11 from step 1] This ambition is fueled by a belief that enough time has passed for the public to accept his return, perhaps in a less prominent role or a different format than morning news. The idea of Lauer returning to the public airwaves, however, remains highly polarizing given the severity of the sexual misconduct allegations, which included a detailed account of alleged rape published in Ronan Farrow’s investigative book, *Catch and Kill*. Lauer has consistently denied the most serious allegations, stating that his extramarital relationships were consensual. The shadow of the Me Too movement, which brought his misconduct to light, makes any comeback attempt a monumental challenge.

The T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach Connection

One of the most talked-about and unlikely rumors involves Lauer attempting to form an alliance with fellow disgraced news personalities, T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach. Holmes and Robach, who were fired from ABC's *GMA3* after their extramarital affair became public, have since launched a podcast. Reports suggest Lauer has been aiming to join the duo, with some sources claiming he is "arrogant enough" to believe he can "guide" them in their post-scandal careers. While the collaboration remains purely speculative, the idea highlights a potential strategy for Lauer: to align himself with others who have faced public professional exile, hoping to create a new media platform for "pariahs." [cite: 13 from step 1]

The "Tell-All" Memoir Speculation

For years, there has been speculation that Lauer might write a tell-all memoir to offer his side of the story, counteracting the narratives presented in books like Ronan Farrow's *Catch and Kill*. [cite: 6 from step 1] While no book deal has been confirmed, a memoir would undoubtedly be a blockbuster, offering Lauer a direct route back into the public conversation and a chance to frame his own narrative. Any such project would face intense scrutiny and is considered a high-risk, high-reward proposition for both Lauer and any potential publisher. In late 2025, Matt Lauer remains a figure of intense public interest, living a life of immense wealth and quiet luxury while simultaneously plotting a highly controversial return to the industry that exiled him. Whether he succeeds in his media comeback or remains a wealthy recluse in the Hamptons, his story continues to serve as a stark reminder of the seismic shifts that have occurred in the world of television news.