The $36 Million Question: 5 Shocking Truths About What Matt Lauer Does For A Living Now

Eight years after his dramatic exit from the spotlight, the question of "What does Matt Lauer do for a living now?" has a surprising answer: he is a full-time steward of his multi-million dollar assets and a man reportedly plotting a controversial return to the media. As of late 2025, the former *Today* show anchor, once the highest-paid personality in morning news, has traded his high-pressure journalistic career for a highly private life centered around luxury real estate management, high-profile relationships, and a persistent, behind-the-scenes effort to re-enter the public arena. The reality is that Matt Lauer no longer needs a job, but he is far from being inactive. His current life is a complex tapestry woven with threads of immense wealth, Hamptons seclusion, international property controversy, and a reported lingering anger over the circumstances of his 2017 termination from NBC News. Sources close to Lauer, who is now 67, suggest he is "still angry" and believes he is "owed an apology" for the sexual misconduct allegations that ended his career, fueling his motivation for a potential media comeback.

Matthew Todd Lauer: Biography and Career Highlights

The man at the center of the controversy, Matthew Todd Lauer, built one of the most successful and lucrative careers in television journalism before his sudden downfall. Understanding his past is crucial to grasping the financial security that defines his present life.

• Full Name: Matthew Todd Lauer
• Date of Birth: December 30, 1957
• Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
• Education: Ohio University (School of Telecommunications)
• Career Highlights:
• Began his career in local news in the 1980s.
• Joined NBC News in 1992.
• Served as a news anchor for *Today* (1994–1997).
• Co-host of the *Today* show (1997–2017), becoming one of the most recognizable faces in American morning television.
• Reportedly earned a salary of $25 million per year at the peak of his career.
• Departure from NBC: Fired in November 2017 following "inappropriate sexual behavior" allegations.

Lauer's decades-long tenure at NBC provided him with a substantial net worth, which is now the primary source of his income and activity. He no longer "works" in the traditional sense, but rather manages the vast portfolio of assets accumulated during his time as a top-tier journalist.

Asset Management: The Full-Time Job of a Former News Icon

For a man who "doesn't work and doesn't have to," according to insiders, Lauer's current life is dominated by the quiet, complex business of managing his immense wealth and real estate holdings. This activity, often overlooked by the public, is his de facto "job" now.

The Hamptons Real Estate Empire

Lauer’s primary residence and focus of his real estate activities is the Hamptons, a wealthy enclave on Long Island, New York. His most notable property is the sprawling Sag Harbor compound, famously known as Strongheart Manor, which he purchased from actor Richard Gere for approximately $36 million. The management and occasional sale of these high-value properties have been a continuous activity since his firing. He has been involved in several transactions, including the eventual sale of other waterfront estates and smaller cottages. The frequent listing, relisting, and selling of these multi-million dollar estates—one of which was listed for nearly $44 million—is a significant, ongoing financial endeavor that requires constant attention and decision-making.

The Controversial New Zealand Farm

Lauer also dedicates time to managing his international asset: the massive, 16,000-acre Hunter Valley Station near Lake Hāwea in New Zealand. This $9.2 million property has been the source of two major controversies that have kept Lauer's name in the international news:

1. "Good Character" Requirement: Following the allegations, New Zealand regulators reviewed whether Lauer met the country's "good character" requirement for foreign landowners. Ultimately, he was permitted to retain the property.
2. Animal Welfare and Public Access: The farm has been the subject of complaints from local hikers over public access rights and, more seriously, from PETA Asia-Pacific regarding alleged animal abuse during sheep shearing operations on the property.

The ongoing legal and public relations management of this remote, high-profile farm property is a taxing, non-traditional form of "work" that occupies a significant portion of his life.

The "Comeback" Plot: A Future Professional Pursuit

While Matt Lauer is financially retired, his professional ambition appears to be far from extinguished. The most recent and compelling update on his activities is the persistent rumor that he is actively planning a return to the media. Sources close to Lauer, who is now 67, have indicated that he is "plotting a return to the media in some capacity" and has been "eyeing a TV comeback" eight years after his firing. The reports suggest he has been in discussions with people about re-entering the media arena, even if it is not a direct return to television news. This rumored comeback is driven by more than just professional desire; it is reportedly fueled by a deep-seated frustration and a desire to clear his name. Insiders suggest that Lauer feels he has been unfairly treated and that he wants to return to the public eye to reclaim his narrative. His life, therefore, is currently a holding pattern: an affluent, private existence managing his vast property portfolio, punctuated by the strategic planning and quiet discussions required to execute a highly improbable, yet fiercely desired, media return.

Personal Life and Seclusion

Since his divorce from Annette Roque, Lauer’s personal life has stabilized, but remains intensely private. He is in a long-term relationship with public relations executive Shamin Abas. Lauer has largely succeeded in maintaining a low profile, drastically changing his social circle and remaining out of the public eye. His days are spent primarily around the Hamptons, with occasional visits to his New Zealand property. One of his few public appearances in recent years was a private reunion with former NBC colleagues, including Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, at a producer's wedding, a rare glimpse into his continued, albeit private, ties to the industry. In short, Matt Lauer's current "living" is a blend of high-net-worth real estate and asset management, a private life in the Hamptons, and the strategic groundwork for a potential, highly anticipated, and controversial professional return.