Disgraced former “Today” anchor Matt Lauer reportedly “iced out” many of his old friends while spending most of his time on a farm in New Zealand.
Life is looking very different for the ex TV staple after being ousted from the NBC morning show six years ago, several sources told People Wednesday.
Lauer, 65, has “drastically changed his social circle and iced out many old friends, even people who stuck by him after the ‘Today’ show,” one insider dished.
The source noted he was living “a fairly good life” but “it’s nothing at all like what it was” before he was unceremoniously booted from his anchor position.
“It’s a very quiet lifestyle, but he has nothing to complain about,” they went on.
“He is dating, he’s close with his kids. He still held on to the huge horse farm he shared with [ex-wife] Annette [Roque] on Long Island and they manage it together. They’ve navigated that fairly well.”
Lauer sold his property in the Hamptons in 2022, two additional sources /confirm/ied, noting he was enjoying spending time on his $9.2 million farm.
“He sold his house in the Hamptons because he wants to spend more time at his place in New Zealand,” a separate source told the outlet.
“He feels peace there, loves it, loves the people and it’s good for his productivity level.”
The journalist is also “going strong” with girlfriend Shamin Abas, whom he began dating in 2019.
“Matt still gets trash talked and he doesn’t want to give people any added options for it, so he and Shamin keep a very low profile,” another insider explained.
“They are still seriously dating and get along well. She has her own life away from him with her international PR and events firm, and her horse,” the source added. “She has taken up competitive jumping and loves it. Her friends are impressed with her athletic ability.”
Abas, however, “loves her life in the Hamptons,” and is is unlikely to move to New Zealand permanently, with the source noting they “don’t know if marriage is in the cards any time soon” even though they have a good relationship.
“She has a full life in the US and is busy with her clients, and her horse and other pets,” they added. “I would be surprised if she would ever leave any of this permanently. Visits to New Zealand are one thing, but a permanent move doesn’t make sense.”
When Lauer isn’t on the other side of the world, he spends a lot of time with his children — sons Thijs, 17, and Jack, 22, and daughter Romy, 20, a sixth source told the outlet.
“Matt has a healthy and loving relationship with his kids and has been a good dad,” the insider said of the children he shares with Roque.
He also reportedly has his pal and former “Today” host Bryant Gumbel in his corner. “Matt loves Bryant and vice versa and their long time friendship has really helped Matt through all of the issues he has faced in the last few years,” the same source said.
“Matt has some projects he is working on, and Bryant has been encouraging and inspirational for him. They talk regularly.”
Lauer was axed from NBC in November 2017 due to a complaint of “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.
Former NBC staffer Brooke Nevils alleged that the anchor raped her in her hotel room while they were covering the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
He eventually admitted to having sex with Nevils but insisted that their encounter was consensual.
