Matt Lauer’s wife, Annette Roque, feared the disgraced newsman would cheat on her even before they were married nearly 20 years ago.
‘He was a player when she met him and she knew that,’ a source who worked with Lauer told People Magazine on Thursday. ‘Even many years ago, he was a flirt, a philanderer. He did his thing.’
Despite her reservations, the former Dutch model married Lauer in 1998 after they met on a blind date.
Despite her reservations, former Dutch model Annette Roque (pictured) married Lauer in 1998 after they met on a blind date
The marriage suffered as Lauer’s reputation as a ‘ladies man’ continued to travel with him around NBC studios
But the union apparently suffered as Roque struggled to reconcile with Lauer’s growing ‘ladies man’ reputation around 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Lauer was fired from NBC juggernaut The Today Show less than two weeks ago after network executives received a ‘detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior.’
‘By Matt’s own admission there were struggles and challenges with his wife,’ the source said. ‘Like many couples, they struggled with a modern marriage.’
Lauer was fired from NBC juggernaut The Today Show less than two weeks ago on November 29
A second source claimed that their marriage was ‘never good’ to begin with and nearly hit a breaking point more than a decade ago.
In 2006, Roque filed for divorce claiming that Lauer exhibited ‘cruel and inhumane’ acts against her, according to court documents.
Roque, 51, also accused Laure of demonstrating ‘extreme anger and hostility’ that endangered her mental and physical wellbeing.
The couple, however, apparently reconciled their difference, with Roque withdrawing the legal action three weeks later.
But the relationship never regained its original luster, with the source saying the two ‘lived totally separate lives.’
Lauer ‘essentially living as a single guy’ in Manhattan, said the source, while Roque stayed in the Hamptons along with their three children.
Despite the distance and strain ties between the couple, Lauer was ‘solid father’ who adored his children.
Lauer, 59, has also been accused by a number of anonymous NBC staffers of sexual misconduct and assault in reports published by Variety and The New York Times.
A day after his firing, Lauer broke his silence and had a statement read live on-air through his former Today Show co-hosts on November 30.
On November 30, Lauer broke his silence and had a statement read live on-air through his former Today Show co-hosts
‘There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions,’ he said.
‘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,’ he continued.
‘Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching, and I’m committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It’s been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace.’
The source told People that Lauer is struggling to cope with the fallout from the scandal, describing him as ‘weak and broken and ashamed by his own admission.’
‘He is my friend. He is human, and he is flawed. But is he going to use his power to be a predator on women? Until I see solid evidence of that, I just can’t believe it. We don’t know the details,’ the source added.