Matt Lauer’s 20-year tenure as co-host of NBC’s Today program came to an end in humiliation after claims of “inappropriate sexual conduct in the workplace” led to his contract being terminated. Savannah Guthrie, apparently distraught, read aloud the staff note announcing Matt’s resignation. NBC claimed that, while this was Matt’s first complaint, the news organization had “cause to think this was not an isolated event.”
After his firing, Lauer’s life fell apart. Following that, he had a tumultuous divorce with his ex-wife, Annette Roque, in which he gave up $20 million in assets as well as a horse property in Water Mill. Let’s take a look at Matt Lauer’s current condition.
What happened to Matt Lauer?
Lauer has apparently spent a lot of time at his Hamptons home after being fired from the Today program in November 2017, where he has remained quiet and “focused on family.” He’s having trouble reintegrating into society, according to a source at OK Magazine.
“He attempts to mingle with people at gatherings, but most people give him the cold shoulder,” the person claimed. He has gone to great lengths to reclaim his place in society.” It’s unclear whether Matt is involved in any professional endeavors. But, with an estimated net worth of $80 million, he can afford to live well.
Shamin Abas, Matt’s girlfriend, is still with him
Matt has been dating Shamin Abas, a longtime friend and public relations executive, since 2019. Shamin is a skilled marketer who has worked with ultra-luxury companies such as Rolls-Royce, Ferrari North America, and Dom Pérignon. While many of Lauer’s close pals turned against him once the controversy broke, Shamin and Lauer apparently stayed close throughout the ordeal. The friendship became amorous when Lauer’s divorce was finalized.
The pair even spent the holidays together in New Zealand, where the former anchor has a $9.2 million lakeside estate that he leases. Dating a public relations specialist definitely has its advantages, especially since Lauer has yet to tell his side of the tale.
Katie Couric has something to say about Matt Lauer
Katie Couric remarked on Today on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, “We have no relationship.” It became increasingly unpleasant and frightening as I discovered more about what was going on behind the scenes. “I tried to understand why he acted the way he did, and why he was so reckless and heartless, And honestly terrible to other women,” she says. “I believe what I concluded is that there was a side of Matt I never truly understood.”
What exactly are the claims against Matt Lauer?
Lauer was dismissed from NBC’s Today show in 2017 after many women accused him of sexual misconduct. The TV personality has categorically disputed the accusations leveled against him. A number of female workers have accused the former £16 million-a-year anchor of a litany of sexual misconduct charges over the years. Before his fall from popularity, Lauer, who was helicoptered to work in Manhattan from his estate in The Hamptons at the height of his career, was one of the most well-known people in American television.
He’s also been accused of having a hidden button beneath his desk that allows him to lock women in his office, of giving a colleague a sex toy during her parting drinks, and of flashing a coworker. Page Six adds that Melissa Lonner told coworkers that Lauer had requested her to leave a work event at NBC headquarters in Manhattan’s 30 Rockefeller Center to join him in the office at the time. According to Ronan Farrow’s book Catch and Kill, the producer thought it would be a business discussion until Lauer shut the door and “unzipped his pants and showed his erect penis.”
The producer, who was then divorced from her husband, joked that she didn’t want to be intimate in a spot “where everyone else has done it,” but was assured that “he knew she wanted it.” Lauer allegedly continued, after recognizing her joke about his workplace relationships, that he “figured she loved it nasty” and that the experience would be “first for you.”
He then became enraged, she claimed, and told her, “Melissa, you’re a f***ing tease.” This is not a good situation. In the book, Farrow states, “You lured me on.” Then, before her contract expired in 2013, she was allegedly sacked without cause.
Will Matt Lauer make a comeback to television?
Matt has been photographed in the Hamptons at restaurants and gatherings, most recently on Aug. 30, 2021, when he and his ex-wife were both presents at the same event. Locals have characterized him as wanting to maintain a low profile. Many harassers who were caught up in the #MeToo movement have attempted to make amends. While there are no official rumors that Lauer would return to television, he is said to have promised supporters in August 2018: “Don’t worry, I’ll be back on TV.”
After being sighted at the birthday celebration of CNN network chief Jeff Zucker, there were also speculations that Lauer was looking to find a new home at CNN. However, as those reports began to surface, numerous top female colleagues expressed their reluctance to work with Lauer, and CNN stated that it would not be working with him as well. Meanwhile, Hoda Kotb, who took Lauer’s position on the Today program, is doing fantastically well. Female viewers are twice as interested in the new host, according to ratings, which was a key issue for Today when Lauer was fired.
How did Lauer’s departure affect his former coworkers?
Kathie Lee Gifford notified the network in January 2017 that she would be quitting the fourth hour of Today, which she co-hosted with Hoda Kotb, to explore film projects, according to remarks she made to People in 2018. Those preparations fell by the wayside as a result of the upheaval surrounding the claims of sexual misconduct against Lauer and his eventual dismissal.
“There were several things that were difficult for us. “And we had to adjust, and then they asked, ‘Will you consider staying if we accommodate your schedule?'” she told People at the time. “I didn’t want to leave, but I needed the time.” So there was no need to depart after they adjusted the timetable.” Jenna Bush Hager took over as co-host of the 10 o’clock hour from Kathie Lee in April of 2019.
