Matt Lauer’s new relationship raises purple flags.

Matt Lauer might have began courting Shamin Abas in 2019, however that they had identified one another for near twenty years earlier than then. Meaning Lauer met Abas via work shortly after he tied the knot with Annette Roque (seen above) in 1998. “That they had a superb strong basis as associates and in enterprise once they began courting, and the romance has grown through the years,” a supply informed Individuals in 2023. And people who knew Lauer and Abas weren’t stunned that their friendship grew into one thing extra after his divorce from Roque.

Abas grew to become a help system amid the tumultuous break up quickly after Lauer’s disturbing downfall. “Shamin has been a longtime good friend to Matt and it’s no shock they’ve began courting. She was there for him all through this course of,” the ET insider mentioned. It’s unclear whether or not Abas was associates with Roque as nicely throughout their marriage. Nevertheless, the 2 ladies don’t look like pleasant within the aftermath of the divorce.

In 2021, Lauer and Abas attended a soirée in The Hamptons that Roque additionally attended. However the couple appeared to rigorously keep away from the previous Dutch mannequin, in line with Radar. They seemingly remained civil, although. The outlet famous that Lauer and Abas have been seen standing a number of ft from Roque however have been cautious to keep away from getting so near the purpose of getting to work together and being photographed collectively. It positive should be awkward for Roque seeing her ex with a girl he had been associates with all through their time collectively.

Matt Lauer and Shamin Abas didn’t wait lengthy in any respect to show their friendship into romance after his divorce from Annette Roque. Roque filed for divorce in July 2019, and proceedings grew to become last the next September. Matt and Abas have been first linked in December 2019, once they have been seen boarding a aircraft forward of a visit to New Zealand. Nevertheless, Lauer and Roque had been separated for some time, with stories noting that the previous “At this time” present anchor had been within the courting sport for a while earlier than Abas.

Lauer believed he wanted a romantic associate to assist him overcome the turbulence of the earlier years. “He has spent an excessive amount of time reflecting on his position in his downfall and is aware of the one method to get previous that is to start out over,” the ET supply mentioned. He had reportedly been searching for a relationship after separating from Roque. “Since Matt’s separation, he was quietly courting ladies, however hadn’t been critical till now,” the insider mentioned.

Abas was the one who proved to have the willingness to stay by Lauer after every thing that befell him. “She is aware of who he’s,” a supply informed InTouch in December 2019. “She’s thrilled she’s with him. She doesn’t appear to have a care on the planet.” Lauer appreciated that Shamin reached out to supply help following the intercourse scandal and his break up at a time when so many individuals shunned him. “She has stood by him,” the ET insider famous.

When stories of Matt Lauer’s relationship with Shamin Abas surfaced, one facet of their romance that drew consideration was his new girlfriend’s putting resemblance to Annette Roque. Fellow vacationers who have been on the New Zealand-bound aircraft with the then-recent couple needed to do a double-take after seeing Lauer’s companion. “Some individuals thought it was Annette,” a supply informed InTouch.

The problem comes up time and time once more at any time when Lauer and Abas are within the information. “He has a kind,” an X person commented beneath a information story. “Does anybody else assume she appears like his ex spouse?” one other X person requested beneath a distinct photograph of the couple. Whereas some agreed, others argued that the resemblance lies primarily in the way in which Abas carries herself. “From distant. His ex spouse is a magnificence,” one other person replied within the thread. However their resemblance is current sufficient to recommend a possible underlying psychological challenge at play

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Whereas there are a lot of potential causes for individuals being drawn to a sure sort, some might point out purple flags. For instance, Lauer could also be subconsciously attempting to resolve his previous marital points by courting somebody who resembles his ex. Or he might really feel safer with somebody who reminds him of his previous self. “Some researchers imagine that stimuli which we see ceaselessly could also be extra simply processed by the mind,” social psychologist Madeleine A. Fugère informed HuffPost in September 2025 about this phenomenon.

Whereas she is not any spring rooster, Shamin Abas is significantly youthful than Matt Lauer. After they started courting in late 2019, she was 50, whereas he was 62. Their 12-year age distinction implies that Abas was round 30 and Lauer was in his mid-40s once they met on the flip of the century. Whereas not scandalous, the age hole is appreciable. However Lauer is not any stranger to age-gap relationships.

Roque, who was his second spouse, can also be a number of years his junior. She was born in December 1966, whereas he was born in December 1957, which means they’re virtually a decade aside. She was 30, and he was 39 once they met on a blind date in July 1997. Lauer’s first marriage was additionally an age-gap relationship. Apparently, although, he was the youthful half of the couple. In 1981, Lauer tied the knot with Nancy Alspaugh, a producer and screenwriter whom he met at work in his early profession.

Alspaugh was born in 1955, which makes her over two years older than her ex-husband. In contrast to with Roque, Lauer’s marriage to Alspaugh ended amicably in 1988. She even spoke out in his protection amid the sexual assault allegations. “He would provide the shirt off his again should you actually wanted it. He did that for everyone. From the bottom particular person on set to, you realize, the best powers,” she informed ET in 2017.

Matt Lauer has been in a relationship with Shamin Abas for years, however they don’t have a lot to indicate for it. The 2 are not often seen collectively, with their public outings being few and much between. Since their romance went public, Lauer and Abas have been noticed out and a few handful of occasions. They attended a automotive present in The Hamptons in July 2020 and have been captured out buying in New York Metropolis a number of occasions after that.

The largest public occasion they went to as a pair was the marriage of former CNN anchor Don Lemon and Tim Malone in April 2024 (seen above). That they had additionally attended NBC producer Jennifer Lengthy’s nuptials the earlier December, suggesting they have been getting extra snug with public outings. However, who is aware of? They’re mentioned to be having fun with their relationship simply the way in which it’s. “They try to keep out of the highlight however are pleased collectively and never concerned about a high-profile life,” a supply informed Individuals in January 2023.

Lauer has reportedly discovered peace out of the highlight. “[He is] very low key and likes to be off the radar,” a supply informed Individuals only a few months later. After every thing that went down in his skilled and private life, Lauer is claimed to be protecting of his relationship with Abas. “He’s pleased however prefers to put low more often than not. When he goes out in public it’s as a result of he has causes and occasions that he cares about,” the insider famous.