Matt Lauer's life away from spotlight is 'nothing at all like what it was' before 'Today' firing 6 years ago
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Matt Lauer's life after being fired from the 'Today' show has "drastically changed his social circle and iced out many old friends, even people who stuck by him" after the television show, according to a source.
Speaking to People, the insider said that the 65-year-old morning show host is now living "a fairly good life" but "it's nothing at all like what it was" before his firing six years ago.
Matt Lauer leads a 'very quiet lifestyle' and he is 'dating'
The source shared that Lauer is currently leading "a very quiet lifestyle, but he has nothing to complain about." "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," the source added.
Another source confirmed with the outlet that the former television news personality sold his home in the Hamptons in 2022.
"He sold his house in the Hamptons because he wants to spend more time at his place in New Zealand," an insider said of Lauer's farmland in New Zealand.
"He feels peace there, loves it, loves the people, and it’s good for his productivity level," the source added.
Matt Lauer and girlfriend Shamin Abas' relationship is 'still going strong'
An insider shared that Lauer's relationship with his girlfriend is "still going wrong." The duo who began dating in 2019 have been trying to keep their dating private.
"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," said the source.
"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 further said, adding "She has taken up competitive jumping and loves it. Her friends are impressed with her athletic ability."
Abas, who is a Welsh-born publicist and businesswoman, "loves her life in the Hamptons, her horse and her new passion for jumping and competing," the insider stated. However, the source further expressed doubt over whether the couple would take the next step in their relationship.
"I don’t know if marriage is in the cards any time soon, but they have a good relationship. She has a full life in the U.S. and is busy with her clients, and her horse and other pets," another insider stated.
"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," the source concluded.