Sag Harbor, New York — If you walk down the charming, historic main street of Sag Harbor on a Tuesday morning, you might miss him. He blends in with the local rhythm—a man in sunglasses and a baseball cap, perhaps grabbing a coffee or heading toward the marina. But look closer, and the face is unmistakable. It is the face that woke up America for two decades, the face that once commanded a $25 million annual salary and the adoration of millions, before it became the face of a movement that reshaped the media landscape.

It has been nearly eight years since Matt Lauer was unceremoniously fired from NBC’s Today show following allegations of sexual misconduct. The scandal was swift, absolute, and publicly devastating. Overnight, the “King of Morning Television” became a pariah, retreating to the safety of the Hamptons as his career, reputation, and marriage dissolved in the public eye.

But eight years is a long time in the court of public opinion, and even longer in the quiet isolation of the East End. Today, the 67-year-old former anchor is living a life that is starkly different from the frenetic pace of Rockefeller Plaza, yet far from the “ruined” existence many predicted. According to sources close to Lauer, he has settled into a “new normal” defined by defiant luxury, a stable relationship, and a lingering ambition that suggests the final chapter of his career may not be written just yet.

The Golden Cage of Sag Harbor

For a man who once interviewed presidents and royalty, Lauer’s world has shrunk to the few square miles of Sag Harbor, but it is a comfortable containment. While he sold his massive Strongheart Manor compound for over $40 million in 2022, he retains significant real estate holdings in the area, as well as a farm in New Zealand.

Locals describe him not as a recluse, but as a fixture who has become “unbothered” by the stares. “He doesn’t hide,” says one Sag Harbor resident. “You see him on his boat, you see him at dinner. He acts like a guy who is retired and wealthy, which, to be fair, he is.”

This lifestyle of leisure—boating in the summers, traveling to New Zealand, and avoiding the press—has allowed Lauer to construct a bubble where the scandal of 2017 feels distant. However, those close to him suggest that the idleness is a double-edged sword. “Matt was a journalist at heart,” a source told People magazine. “He misses the action. He misses being in the center of the conversation.”

Love and Loyalty in the Aftermath

Perhaps the most significant stabilizing force in Lauer’s post-NBC life has been his relationship with PR executive Shamin Abas. The two began dating in 2019, two years after his firing and subsequent divorce from Annette Roque. Unlike the transactional or power-imbalanced dynamics alleged in the complaints against him, his relationship with Abas is described by friends as an equal partnership grounded in long-term friendship.

Abas, a successful businesswoman in her own right, has stood by Lauer as he navigated the social wilderness. The couple has been spotted at high-profile events, most notably attending the wedding of former CNN anchor Don Lemon in April 2024. Their appearance there was a significant signal: Lauer was dipping a toe back into the social waters of the media elite.

“They are very serious,” an insider revealed. “She brings a calmness to his life that he desperately needed. She isn’t interested in the fame; she’s interested in him.”

The Fatherhood Focus

While his professional reputation remains in tatters, Lauer has reportedly poured his energy into repairing and maintaining his relationship with his three children: Jack, 23, Romy, 21, and Thijs, 17. Sources indicate that Lauer and his ex-wife, Annette Roque, have managed to reach a functional co-parenting detente.

“He is a good father,” a source emphasized. “Whatever happened at NBC, he has tried to ensure it didn’t destroy his bond with the kids. He supports their interests, he shows up for them. That has been his primary job for the last eight years.”

This focus on family has provided Lauer with a sense of purpose that the loss of his career took away. It also serves as a shield; by framing his life around his children and his partner, he creates a narrative of redemption—at least within his own home.

The Itch for a Comeback

However, the most intriguing—and controversial—aspect of Lauer’s current life is the persistent rumble of a comeback. Despite the severity of the allegations, which Lauer has admitted to in part while vehemently denying non-consensual acts, the former anchor reportedly feels he has served his time.

“He is still angry,” says an industry insider. “He feels the way he was erased was unfair compared to how others have been treated. He thinks there is a path back, maybe not on network TV, but in digital media or a podcast format.”

This sentiment was echoed by Don Lemon, who noted that when Lauer is out in public, he is often approached by fans who tell him they miss him. The disconnect between the industry’s “zero tolerance” stance and the general public’s nostalgia is the gap Lauer is reportedly eyeing.

“He’s been taking meetings,” the source adds. “He’s reconnecting with old producers and friends he shut out in the beginning. He wants to have a voice again.”

The Legacy of the Fall

As the eight-year anniversary of his firing approaches, Matt Lauer remains a polarizing figure. To his victims and advocates of the #MeToo movement, he is a symbol of the unchecked power that toxic workplace cultures allowed to fester. To his remaining friends and perhaps to himself, he is a man who paid a steeper price than most and is ready to move on.

For now, he remains in his golden exile in the Hamptons—wealthy, free, and loved by a select few, but forever separated from the chair that made him a king. Whether he breaks his silence to reclaim his narrative remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Matt Lauer is no longer hiding.