Matt Lauer & Annette Roque Divorce
A $20 million settlement born from the wreckage of a morning-show empire and sexual misconduct allegations.
Key Facts
What Happened
Matt Lauer was the highest-paid host on American morning television, anchoring NBC's Today show for two decades, when his career imploded overnight in November 2017. Multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct in the workplace, and NBC fired him within 48 hours. His wife, Dutch-born model Annette Roque, had already considered divorce once before, filing papers in 2006 before withdrawing them. This time, the public humiliation left no path back.
Roque filed for divorce in Suffolk County, New York, in July 2019. The couple's combined real estate portfolio was staggering: Strongheart Manor in the Hamptons, purchased from Richard Gere for $36.5 million in 2016, a Water Mill horse farm, and other properties. Lauer did not contest the divorce, a strategic decision likely aimed at keeping further details out of public view.
The settlement reportedly awarded Roque $20 million in assets along with their Hamptons horse farm. The couple agreed to share custody of their three children: Jack, Romy, and Thijs. Lauer's legal team moved quickly to finalize the agreement, understanding that a protracted courtroom battle would only generate more damaging headlines.
The Lauer divorce illustrates a recurring pattern in high-profile media splits: when one spouse faces public disgrace, the other gains enormous leverage at the negotiating table. Roque's patience in waiting until the right moment to file, combined with the sheer toxicity of a trial for Lauer, ensured she could secure terms far more favorable than a standard equitable distribution.
Legal Breakdown: When workplace scandal accelerates divorce leverage
Leverage From Public Scandal
When one spouse faces public disgrace, the other gains significant negotiating power. Lauer had every incentive to settle quickly and quietly, which Roque used to secure favorable terms. In high-asset divorces, the threat of a public trial can be worth millions in settlement value.
Equitable Distribution in New York
New York is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital assets are divided fairly but not necessarily equally. With Lauer's reported net worth exceeding $80 million and the couple's real estate portfolio worth tens of millions, the $20 million settlement plus property represented a substantial but not unprecedented share.
Strategic Timing of Filing
Roque had previously filed for divorce in 2006 but withdrew. Filing after the misconduct scandal gave her maximum leverage. Timing a divorce filing to coincide with a spouse's professional vulnerability, while not universally advisable, can significantly affect settlement outcomes.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →A spouse's public scandal can dramatically shift divorce negotiation leverage in the other partner's favor.
- →Uncontested divorces in high-asset cases often signal a strategic decision to avoid further public exposure.
- →Real estate portfolios in high-net-worth divorces require careful valuation and negotiation about who retains which properties.
- →When considering divorce timing, external factors like a spouse's professional crisis can significantly impact the financial outcome.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.