It is weird how fast a household name can just... vanish. One minute, Matt Lauer is the highest-paid guy in news, the face of the Today show, the person you drink your coffee with every single morning. The next, he is a ghost in the Hamptons. Since that morning in November 2017 when Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb had to announce his firing live on air, the question of whats matt lauer doing now has become a sort of cultural curiosity. People want to know if he’s broke, if he’s hiding, or if he’s actually planning a comeback in 2026.
Honestly, the reality is less about high-stakes drama and more about a very quiet, very wealthy, and somewhat resentful exile.
The Hamptons Exile and New Zealand Getaways
Lauer isn't living in a cave. He’s mostly hunkered down in Sag Harbor, New York. If you happen to be in the Hamptons, you might catch a glimpse of him at a local restaurant or driving an SUV, but he’s not the polished, suit-wearing anchor you remember. Recent sightings in late 2025 and early 2026 show a man who looks his age—68 now. He’s fully bald, often wearing casual clothes like white jeans and patterned shirts, and looking, as some observers have noted, "dramatically different."
He still spends a significant amount of time at his massive horse farm on Long Island. Interestingly, despite a messy and expensive divorce from Annette Roque, the two reportedly manage the property together for the sake of their three kids: Jack, Romy, and Thijs. When he isn't on Long Island, he’s often at his remote estate in New Zealand. It’s the ultimate "get away from it all" move. You can't get much further from Rockefeller Plaza than a farm in the South Island of New Zealand.
Is He Really Trying to Come Back?
This is where things get interesting. For years, the narrative was that Lauer was "voluntarily unemployed." He didn't need the money—his net worth was estimated in the tens of millions even after the $50 million divorce settlement—and he seemed content to stay out of the line of fire.
✨ Don't miss: Olivia Rodrigo Dating History: What Really Happened With Louis Partridge
But things shifted recently.
Reports from late 2025 suggest Lauer is "eyeing a return" to the media arena. It probably won't be a seat on a major network news desk. That bridge hasn't just been burned; it’s been vaporized. Instead, he’s reportedly been talking to people about digital ventures or independent media projects. Think podcasts or a private streaming platform.
- The Industry Resistance: Insiders at NBC and other major networks are still very wary. The #MeToo movement may have moved out of the daily headlines, but the allegations against Lauer—including the 2019 report by Ronan Farrow involving Brooke Nevils—remain a massive barrier.
- The Public Reaction: It’s a bit of a split. Don Lemon recently mentioned on a podcast that when he goes out to dinner with Lauer and his fiancée, Shamin Abas, people still ask for pictures and say they miss him. But the internet? The internet never forgets. Every time a photo of him surfaces, the comment sections are a battlefield.
The Social Circle: Who Stayed?
Lauer didn't just lose his job; he lost a lot of his "friends." He’s reportedly still "angry" about how he was treated by people he thought were his brothers-in-arms in the industry. He supposedly "iced out" several old colleagues who didn't defend him publicly.
However, he hasn't been completely isolated. He’s been in a steady relationship with public relations executive Shamin Abas since 2019. They’ve been spotted at high-profile events, like Don Lemon’s wedding in 2024, which was a rare moment where he stepped back into the "celebrity" light. He’s also been seen reconnecting with a few "old friends" lately, suggesting he might be trying to build a support network for whatever his next move is.
💡 You might also like: The Truth About Tyrus Mom and Dad: Race, Resilience, and a Brutal Family History
Understanding the Financial Reality
How does someone just... stop working for eight years?
Lauer was earning roughly $20 million to $25 million a year at the peak of his career. Even after taxes, agents, and a massive divorce payout, the guy is still incredibly wealthy. He sold his "Strongheart Manor" estate for $44 million years ago. He owns multiple high-value properties. He doesn't need a paycheck.
The desire to return to media seems to be about ego and legacy rather than paying the bills. He was a journalist at heart, and sources say he still follows the news cycle obsessively, often feeling frustrated that he isn't the one covering the current political chaos.
What This Means for Your News Feed
You’re likely going to see more of him in 2026. Whether it’s a self-produced documentary, a long-form interview where he tries to "set the record straight," or a digital news start-up, the "quiet life" phase seems to be ending.
If you are following the story of whats matt lauer doing now, keep an eye on independent digital platforms. He likely won't ask for permission from a network head; he'll probably try to go straight to an audience that still feels a sense of nostalgia for his 20-year run.
To stay informed on how this plays out, watch for his name appearing on high-profile independent podcasts—that's usually the first step for a "canceled" figure trying to test the waters for a comeback. You can also monitor real estate listings in the Hamptons; if he starts liquidating assets, it might signal a more permanent move abroad or a major investment in a new venture.