Annette Roque Walks Away with $20M After Matt Lauer Marriage Ends
Annette Roque, the former model and wife of ex-NBC host Matt Lauer, reportedly received a substantial $20 million settlement following the dissolution of their marriage, which was finalized in 2019 after more than twenty years together. The divorce, marked by intense public attention and media coverage, remains one of Hollywood's most discussed separations, highlighting the financial and personal ramifications of high-profile breakups.
Timeline of a Tumultuous Relationship
The love story between Annette Roque and Matt Lauer began in July 1997 with a blind date, leading to a whirlwind romance. Lauer, then an emerging anchor on NBC's Today show, proposed after just five months of dating, and the couple married on October 3, 1998, in a private ceremony at Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church in New York. Their union quickly became a focal point in the media, reinforcing Lauer's image as a family-oriented television personality.
In the early 2000s, the couple expanded their family, welcoming three children: son Jack in June 2001, daughter Romy in October 2003, and son Thijs in November 2006. During this period, Roque focused on raising their children while maintaining a private home life, as Lauer's career continued to ascend nationally.
Challenges and Reconciliation
The marriage faced significant strain in September 2006 when Annette Roque filed for divorce while pregnant with their third child. Court documents cited "cruel and inhumane" treatment by Matt Lauer, alleging that his controlling behavior endangered her mental and physical well-being. However, just three weeks later, Roque withdrew the divorce filing, and the couple reconciled privately. Reports at the time suggested that both personal and professional pressures, including Lauer's need to project a family-man image, influenced their decision to stay together.
Final Breakdown and Divorce Settlement
The marriage ultimately unraveled in November 2017 when Matt Lauer was fired from NBC amid allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior. The fallout quickly impacted their relationship, with Roque seen without her wedding ring and Lauer moving out of the family home. By January 2018, the couple began separating assets, including properties in the Hamptons and Manhattan, though they initially remained under the same roof for their children's sake.
In July 2019, Annette Roque officially filed for divorce in Suffolk County, New York, with her attorney confirming that the matter had been settled. The divorce was finalized in September 2019, ending over two decades of marriage. Roque reportedly received an estimated $20 million settlement, which included significant assets such as the family's horse farm in Water Mill, New York.
Post-Divorce Co-Parenting Arrangement
Years after their split, Annette Roque and Matt Lauer have maintained a functional co-parenting relationship for their three children. Insiders report that the former couple prioritizes family stability, focusing on keeping their children's lives as normal as possible. While they now live separate lives, Lauer remains closely involved in his children's lives, and Roque resides privately in the Hamptons, including time at the equestrian estate she received in the divorce settlement.
The story of Annette Roque and Matt Lauer underscores the complexities of celebrity marriages under public scrutiny, from initial romance and family building to financial settlements and ongoing co-parenting efforts. Their divorce settlement of $20 million reflects the high stakes often involved in such high-profile separations, continuing to captivate public interest years after the fact.
