It has been nearly a decade since the news alert that felt like a glitch in the simulation: Matt Lauer was out. One morning he was the king of Rockefeller Plaza, and the next, he was a ghost. People still search for his name constantly. They want to know if he’s broke, if he’s hiding, or if he’s plotting a comeback that the world isn’t ready for.
Honestly, the reality is a bit more mundane than the conspiracy theories. If you’re wondering what is matt lauer doing now, the short answer is that he’s living a high-end, low-profile life in the Hamptons. He isn’t exactly "canceled" in the way that implies poverty; he’s just extremely quiet.
Life in the Hamptons and the New Social Circle
Lauer has mostly stayed tucked away in Sag Harbor and the surrounding Hamptons area. He spent years practically invisible. Now, in 2026, he’s reportedly a bit more relaxed about being seen in public. He’s been spotted at local spots, doing the most normal things possible—grabbing coffee, shopping in an orange puffer jacket, or attending a local charity event.
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He isn't totally alone, though. For about five years now, he’s been in a serious relationship with Shamin Abas. She’s a publicist who handles marketing for the ultra-wealthy—think Ferrari and high-end yachts. They knew each other for twenty years before things turned romantic. They seem to have a solid rhythm. They travel to his property in New Zealand and spend time in Florida.
His social life had a massive "vibe shift" after 2017. He reportedly iced out a lot of his old celebrity friends. Maybe it was pride, or maybe he just didn't want to see the pity in their eyes. But lately, sources have told People that he's been reconnecting with some of the old guard. He even showed up at an NBC producer’s wedding a while back, which must have been an incredibly awkward cocktail hour. He ran into Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie there. Imagine that small talk.
The Persistent Rumors of a Comeback
Does he want to return to TV? That depends on who you ask.
Sources close to him have shared conflicting things over the last few months. Some say he’s "still angry" about how he was treated by the industry and the friends he thought he had. There are reports that he’s eyeing a return to the "media arena," even if it isn't traditional broadcast television.
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- He’s talked to "some people" about potential projects.
- Former CNN anchor Don Lemon recently suggested that Lauer could find a path back through digital media.
- Industry insiders remain very skeptical.
Essentially, the "gatekeepers" in traditional media are still terrified of him. The allegations from 2017—which included inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace and a much more serious rape allegation from former producer Brooke Nevils—remain a massive barrier. Lauer has always maintained that his affairs were consensual, but the damage to his public image was effectively permanent.
Managing the Family Dynamic
One thing that seems to be a genuine priority for him is his kids. He shares three children with his ex-wife, Annette Roque: Jack, Romy, and Thijs. They are all young adults now.
Despite the messy $50 million divorce settlement and the public nature of his fall, he and Annette reportedly manage their shared horse farm on Long Island together fairly well. He’s spent a lot of time being a "dad" because, frankly, he has nothing but time. He doesn't work. He doesn't have to. When you've spent decades as the highest-paid man in morning TV, your "retirement" is pretty well-funded, even after a massive divorce.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think he’s sitting in a dark room brooding. That’s probably not it. He’s on his boat. He’s traveling. He’s living a life that looks like a luxury vacation, just without the 4:00 AM wake-up calls.
But there’s a bitterness there. Those close to him say he feels he was a "sacrificial lamb" for the #MeToo movement. Whether you agree with that or not, it’s the lens through which he sees his own exit. It’s why a comeback is so complicated. To return, he’d have to address everything again, and he doesn't seem interested in a public apology tour.
The Reality of a 2026 Return
If you see Matt Lauer back on your screen in 2026, it probably won't be on a major network. The "Today" show has moved on. Ratings actually stabilized after he left, proving that no one is truly indispensable in morning television.
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If he does anything, it’ll be a self-funded podcast or a digital series. Something where he owns the masters and nobody can fire him. But even then, who wants to buy the ads? That’s the hurdle he hasn't cleared yet.
Actionable Insights:
- Watch the Digital Space: If a comeback happens, look for a platform like Substack or a private YouTube channel rather than NBC or ABC.
- The "Morning Show" Parallel: If you want a dramatized version of this entire saga, watching The Morning Show on Apple TV+ is basically a deep dive into the industry’s version of these events.
- Follow Local Reporting: Most real updates on Lauer come from Hamptons-based outlets or Page Six sightings rather than official press releases.
The chapter of Matt Lauer as the "Face of America's Morning" is closed. What’s left is a wealthy man in his late 60s trying to figure out if he can live with being a private citizen or if the itch for the spotlight is just too strong to ignore.