Annette Roque is a Dutch former fashion model best known as the former wife of American television journalist Matt Lauer. Before becoming recognized through her marriage, she worked in the modeling industry and developed a career in fashion. Although her personal life attracted considerable media attention, she has generally preferred to stay away from the public spotlight.
Annette and Matt Lauer married in 1998 and had three children together. Their marriage ended in 2019 following a separation in 2017. Today, public interest in Annette Roque mainly focuses on her modeling background, family life and experiences following her highly publicized divorce.
Who is Annette Roque ? A brief biography
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Annette Roque |
| Professional Name | Jade Roque |
| Date of Birth | December 1966 |
| Age | 59 years (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Profession | Former Fashion Model, Equestrian |
| Famous For | Modeling career and marriage to Matt Lauer |
| Former Husband | Matt Lauer |
| Marriage Date | October 3, 1998 |
| Divorce | 2019 |
| Children | Three |
| Children’s Names | Jack, Romy, and Thijs |
| Known Interests | Horse Riding and Equestrian Activities |
| Associated Business | Bright Side Farm |
Who Is Annette Roque?
Annette Roque is a former fashion model originally from the Netherlands. She became widely recognized after marrying Matt Lauer, who was one of the most familiar television personalities in the United States during his years on NBC’s Today show.
Before her marriage, Annette worked in the European modeling industry. She eventually stepped away from much of her professional modeling work and focused on her family life. Despite her connection to a prominent television personality, she has maintained a relatively private lifestyle.
Her name received renewed media attention in 2017 when Matt Lauer was dismissed from NBC following allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. The couple separated shortly afterward and finalized their divorce in September 2019.
Early Life and Background
Annette Roque was born and raised in the Netherlands. She developed an interest in fashion and modeling during her younger years, eventually pursuing opportunities in the European modeling industry. Her Dutch background has remained an important part of her publicly known personal history.
Unlike many celebrities, Annette has shared limited information about her childhood, parents and education. As a result, detailed accounts of her early family life are not widely available. Most public information about her focuses on her modeling career, marriage and children.
Annette Roque’s Modeling Career
Before becoming known as Matt Lauer’s wife, Annette worked as a professional fashion model. She reportedly participated in modeling assignments in Europe and gained experience in the fashion industry.
Her modeling career helped establish her professional identity before her marriage attracted widespread attention. Over time, however, she moved away from the public modeling spotlight and focused more on raising her children and managing family responsibilities.
How Did Annette Roque Meet Matt Lauer?
Annette Roque met Matt Lauer in July 1997 through a blind date arranged by a freelance stylist named Maria Santoro. At the time, Matt was developing his television career, while Annette was working as a model. Their first meeting eventually developed into a romantic relationship.
The couple became engaged approximately five months after meeting. They married on October 3, 1998, in Bridgehampton, New York. Their wedding marked the beginning of a marriage that lasted more than two decades.
Marriage to Matt Lauer
Annette and Matt Lauer spent more than 20 years together as a married couple. During their marriage, Matt became one of the leading personalities on NBC’s Today show, gaining national recognition through his television reporting and hosting work.
While Matt’s professional career developed in the public eye, Annette generally maintained a lower profile. She occasionally appeared alongside him at public events, charity gatherings and social occasions. Together, they raised three children and managed their family responsibilities away from television.
In 2006, Annette briefly filed for divorce but later withdrew the filing, and the couple reconciled. Their marriage continued for several years before they eventually separated in 2017.
Annette Roque’s Children
Annette Roque and Matt Lauer have three children together. Their family includes two sons and one daughter. Throughout their childhood, both parents generally tried to protect them from excessive media attention.
Their children’s names are Jack Lauer, Romy Lauer and Thijs Lauer. Jack was born in June 2001, Romy in October 2003 and Thijs in November 2006.
Following their parents’ separation and divorce, the children remained an important priority for both parents. Annette has generally avoided discussing their personal lives publicly, allowing them to grow up with a degree of privacy.
Why Did Annette Roque and Matt Lauer Divorce?
Annette and Matt’s marriage experienced difficulties over several years. Although the couple faced marital problems in 2006, they reconciled and continued their relationship. Their final separation happened in November 2017 after NBC terminated Matt Lauer’s employment following a complaint involving inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.
Several allegations against Matt subsequently received widespread media attention. He acknowledged that some reports about his conduct contained truth and apologized for his actions, while disputing certain allegations. Annette largely avoided public discussion of the controversy and focused on her family.
In July 2019, Annette officially filed for divorce in New York. Their divorce was finalized on September 5, 2019, ending their marriage after more than 20 years.
Annette Roque’s Divorce Settlement
Annette and Matt’s divorce attracted considerable media coverage because of their financial arrangements and property interests. Reports at the time indicated that their settlement involved the division of valuable properties and financial support for Annette.
Entertainment publications reported that Matt agreed to pay Annette approximately $20 million as part of their divorce settlement. However, the exact financial terms were not fully disclosed publicly, so this figure should be treated as a reported estimate rather than a confirmed settlement amount.
The former couple also had responsibilities involving their three children. Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding their separation, both parents had reasons to prioritize their children’s well-being.
Where Is Annette Roque Today?
Annette Roque has maintained a relatively private lifestyle since her divorce from Matt Lauer in 2019. Unlike her former husband, who spent many years working in television, she has generally avoided public interviews and regular media appearances.
Her life after the divorce has continued to attract attention because of her family background and connection to the former NBC presenter. However, detailed information about her current professional activities, daily routine and personal relationships is limited.
She remains publicly recognized for her former modeling career, marriage to Matt Lauer and role as the mother of their three children.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Annette Roque?
Annette Roque is a Dutch former fashion model best known as the former wife of American television journalist Matt Lauer.
2. Where is Annette Roque from?
Annette Roque is originally from the Netherlands and has Dutch roots.
3. How many children does Annette Roque have?
She has three children with Matt Lauer: Jack, Romy and Thijs.
4. When did Annette Roque and Matt Lauer divorce?
Their divorce was finalized on September 5, 2019, after more than 20 years of marriage.
5. What did Annette Roque do before marriage?
Before becoming widely known through her marriage, Annette worked as a professional fashion model in Europe.
Conclusion
Annette Roque is a Dutch former model whose name became widely recognized through her marriage to television personality Matt Lauer. Although she spent many years connected to the entertainment industry through her former husband, she maintained a relatively private identity and focused on raising their three children.
Her marriage ended in 2019 after a difficult period that attracted significant media attention. Today, Annette remains best known for her modeling background, family life and connection to one of American television’s most recognizable former presenters.
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