Quick Read
- Matt Lauer was fired from NBC’s ‘Today’ show in 2017 after sexual harassment allegations.
- He now lives mostly in the Hamptons, maintains a relationship with Shamin Abas, and spends time with his children.
- Lauer is reportedly considering a return to media and has had conversations about possible opportunities.
- Industry insiders remain cautious about his comeback due to unresolved allegations.
- Public sentiment towards Lauer is mixed, with some fans expressing support and others skeptical.
Matt Lauer’s Life After ‘Today’: Eight Years in the Shadows
It’s been eight years since Matt Lauer vanished from morning television, his career abruptly derailed by allegations that sent shockwaves through the media world. Fired from NBC’s flagship ‘Today’ show in November 2017 after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment, Lauer retreated from public life. Now, in late 2025, whispers are growing louder: is Matt Lauer plotting a comeback?
Private Life in the Hamptons: Rebuilding, Reflecting
According to People magazine and Parade, Lauer has spent the intervening years mostly in the Hamptons, away from the relentless scrutiny of network news. Sources close to him paint a picture of a man who has found a measure of peace, even as the scars of his public fall remain. At 67, Lauer is described as “doing well in his private life.” He’s still in a relationship with Shamin Abas, and maintains a home in New Zealand—a retreat far from the gaze of New York tabloids.
But the wounds of his abrupt firing are not fully healed. Friends and insiders note that Lauer remains “angry” about how he was treated by the industry and by people he once considered allies. Yet, there’s also talk of reconciliation. In recent years, Lauer has begun “reconnecting with old friends,” signaling a tentative return to social circles that once shunned him.
Family First: Fatherhood in Focus
Lauer’s personal life is anchored by his role as a father. He shares three children—Jack (24), Romy (22), and Thijs (18)—with ex-wife Annette Roque. Those close to him say he is “focused on being a good father,” prioritizing time with his kids above all else. This aspect of his life appears to offer him stability and purpose, even as professional ambitions simmer beneath the surface.
Return to Media: Ambition Meets Reality
Despite years spent out of the spotlight, Lauer has not abandoned hopes of returning to media. Both People and Parade report that he has “talked to some people” about potential opportunities. Whether in television or the digital realm, Lauer is “eyeing a return,” though the path is fraught with uncertainty.
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon, speaking on the Hollywood Raw podcast in January 2025, speculated that Lauer might find a new home in digital media. Lemon observed, “Whenever I see Matt out and about…people love him. Women love him. They’re like, ‘Man, oh my God, can I get a picture? I love you. I miss you on television.’” Lemon’s remarks highlight a paradox: while Lauer remains popular with segments of the public, insiders in the media business remain cautious, wary of the controversy that surrounds him.
Lemon added, “It’s the people inside the business who are afraid of [his return]… Maybe there is a way that he’ll come back, but I think it’s more of the people who are inside of the business who are concerned about, you know, what happened with Matt.”
The Shadow of Allegations: An Unresolved Legacy
Lauer’s exit from NBC was precipitated by serious allegations. In 2017, Brooke Nevils, a former network employee, accused him of sexual harassment, later alleging rape at the 2014 Sochi Olympics in Ronan Farrow’s book Catch and Kill. Lauer has consistently maintained that all encounters were consensual, but multiple women came forward with similar accusations, solidifying his place in the #MeToo narrative.
Since then, Lauer has mostly stayed out of the public eye, surfacing only at select events—such as Don Lemon’s New York City wedding in April 2024. His absence from media has been so pronounced that rumors of his return have surfaced sporadically, fueling debate about redemption and accountability in the industry.
Public Sentiment and Industry Hesitation
The divide between public affection and industry caution is stark. Some fans express nostalgia for Lauer’s on-screen presence, while others point to the unresolved nature of the allegations. Within media circles, the appetite for risk is low. As one source told People, “the current cycle of politics isn’t anything even people who have been doing it for a long time are really excited to cover.” The implication: even if Lauer is ready, the industry may not be.
As 2025 winds down, Lauer’s future remains uncertain. He continues to spend most of his time in the Hamptons, enjoys rare public outings, and maintains strong family ties. Whether his professional redemption is possible is a question that lingers, shaped by both the gravity of past allegations and the shifting landscape of media accountability.
Matt Lauer’s journey since his firing is a study in contrasts: private contentment versus public scrutiny, lingering anger versus cautious hope. The facts suggest he is keen to return to media, yet the industry’s hesitance and the shadow of unresolved allegations create an uncertain path. His story is not one of simple comeback, but of a man navigating the complex terrain between personal restoration and public redemption.