Matt Lauer is officially unemployed.
And also officially horrible.
This is the most troubling of all allegations, of course.
However, as you’re about to learn below, Lauer has been dogged for years by claims he has a bad attitude and other claims that he cheated on his wife. In short: The guy sucks.
In long? Scroll down to find out more.
His First Marriage/Divorce The reporter was married to TV producer Nancy Alspaugh in 1981, but the pair divorced in 1988. After rumors of infidelity against Lauer arose years later, during his second marriage, Alspaugh told The National Enquirer she “was not shocked” to hear them.
His Second Engagement (Getty Images) The former anchor was briefly engaged to television newscaster Kristen Gesswein, prior to their split in 1996.
His Second Marriage (Getty Images) In 1998, Lauer married his second wife, former model Annette Roque. They are still together and share three children.
All Has Not Been Perfect (Getty Images) Lauer and Roque’s relationship has faced scrutiny in the public eye many times before. The ex-model briefly filed for divorce in 2006, the first time reports surfaced that Lauer had been unfaithful.
Says a Source to People Magazine: (Getty) “He regularly cheated on his wife.Everyone knew. His wife lives in the Hamptons and he lives in the city, but we never heard he made unwanted moves.”
Specific Allegations: (Getty) Shortly after Lauer and Roque got engaged, a man named Zoltan Molnar told the National Enquirer that Lauer had been in a relationship with his wife, adding: “He’s not the goody-goody nice guy he looks like on TV!”
Who was Lucie Fink? (Getty) In 2013, Lauer was accused of flirting with a college student, who worked on the Today and occasionally made on-air appearances. Her name was Lucie Fink and she Tweeted about a lunch the pair had, alone, at the Four Seasons. She called Lauer her “mentor.”
Those Natalie Morales Rumors (Getty) In 2016, Lauer was forced to publicly deny talk that he was having an affair with his Today show co-host Natalie Morales, who joined the program in 2006 and became a co-anchor in 2011. “Every aspect of this story is untrue, and it’s frankly sad that someone would tell lies to harm everyone involved,” Lauer told Page Six at the time.
Added Morales in Staunch Denial: (Getty) “There is absolutely no truth to this completely absurd story. It is damaging, hurtful and extremely sexist. I have proven myself in all aspects of my job as a news professional and journalist, and am adding to my role, taking on three jobs with ‘Access Hollywood Live and Access Hollywood, in addition to Today. This move was dictated by me and my desire to grow in my career. Any insinuations beyond that are uninformed.”
Lauer Didn’t Sleep with Ann Curry… (Getty) Quite the opposite. He was accused of stabbing her in the back and recommending to executives that she be fired from Today.
Curry Barely Acknowledged Lauer During Her On-Air Goodbye (Getty) A New York Magazine feature alleged Lauer simply did not like Curry. This piece said the two “barely spoke” off air and Lauer threatened to leave if Curry wasn’t fired.
What a Jerk! (Getty) There was also chatter in 2013 that Lauer refused to take a pay cut, despite his HUGE salary and Today laying off many workers at the time.
Accusations of Sexism (Getty) In a New York Times feature, it was stated that “Curry felt that the boys’ club atmosphere behind the scenes at Today undermined her from the start, and she told friends that her final months were a form of professional torture. The growing indifference of Matt Lauer… had hurt the most, but there was also just a general meanness on set.”
More Sexism Talk: (Getty) In 2014, Lauer received backlash for asking General Motors CEO Mary Barra whether she could be a good mother AND do an effective job heading up the corporation. Would he have aked this of a man?
He Grabbed Butts (Getty) In a 2012 interview with Andy Cohen, Katie Couric said her least favorite thing about Lauer was how he so often reached down and grabbed her butt.
The Worst Accusation: (Getty) According to The New York Times, Lauer sexually assaulted an employee back in 2001, having intercourse with her in his office… after locking the door and bending her over a chair. The report claims the woman passed out during the act.
“Keep bending over like that. It’s a nice view.” (Getty) This is what he told Meredith Vieira in a video from 2006 that TMZ has discovered and posted online.
What About Her Emails?!? (© Getty Images) In her latest memoir, Hillary Clinton she singled out Lauer for the way he hammered home her emails as a major election issue, writing: “Lauer had turned what should have been a serious discussion into a pointless ambush. What a waste of time. I can’t say I didn’t fantasize about shaking some sense into Lauer while I was out there. I was almost physically sick.”
BARF! (© NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) After Anne Hathaway suffered a wardrobe malfunction, Lauer brought it up on air! He opened an interview with the star by saying: “Anne Hathaway, good morning, nice to see you. Seen a lot of you lately…. You had a little wardrobe malfunction the other night.”
Considering All These Stories, Only One Question Remains: (Getty) Why is anyone surprised that Lauer is an alleged serial sexual harasser and predator?
His Apology: (Getty) Lauer has released a statement that reads in part: “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC. Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.”
A New Rape Allegation (Getty Images) In Ronan Farrow’s new book, a former NBC staffer accuses Lauer of anally raping her at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. He has denied this charge.
What Did He Say? (Getty) I have never assaulted anyone or forced anyone to have sex. Period, Lauer wrote in his statement, which went on to castigate all his mistresses for failing to own up to their part in his affairs.
Nevils Then Fired Back “There’s the Matt Lauer that millions of Americans watched on TV every morning for two decades, and there is the Matt Lauer who this morning attempted to bully a former colleague into silence,” she said in response, adding: “His open letter was a case study in victim blaming. I am not afraid of him now.”
Roque Also Spoke Out (Getty) Lauer’s ex-wife, who finally filed to divorce him in the summer of 2019, has said the following through her lawyer: “In response to your inquiry, our client has asked us to tell you that now that the parties are officially divorced, her priority and only concern is for their wonderful children. Our client will make no further statements.”