Matt Lauer is struggling to cope with his life away from the TV cameras — but isn’t thinking of making “a comeback” or getting back to work anytime soon, according to a new report.
Page six reports:
The scandal-scarred former morning talk show host has been keeping a low profile since he was fired from the “Today” show precisely one year ago amid a torrent of sexual misconduct allegations.
“It has been hard for him. He went from being a super busy person to having nothing but time on his hands,” the source close to Lauer told People magazine. “He is not doing well.”
Lauer has been focusing his attention on his kids, Jack, 17, Romy, 14, and Thijs, 11. He and estranged wife Annette Roque continue to live together at their 12-bedroom manse in the Hamptons as they work to finalize their divorce.
“He’s trying to get by putting all his energy into his kids,” the source said. “He is working on his relationship with his kids. They have a good relationship, but they’ve been through a lot.”
The disgraced host has agreed to pay his wife of nearly 20 years up to $20 million, Page Six reported in August.
Around that time, Lauer was heard telling fans that he’ll one day be back on TV, though a second source told People that he’s “not thinking about working again right now.”
“He doesn’t sit around thinking about a comeback,” the source said.
They added, “All he wants is to be involved in his kids’ lives. He spends his days doing as much kids stuff as he can.”
Lauer is also keeping busy by catching up with friends.
“He is not dating,” the second source said. “Some former colleagues have visited him. He has some long-term friends he sees and hangs out with on a regular basis.”
In April, Lauer broke his silence after getting booted by NBC to admit that he “acted inappropriately” but deny that he ever forced himself on anyone.
“I fully acknowledge that I acted inappropriately as a husband, father and principal at NBC,” he said in a statement. “However I want to make it perfectly clear that any allegations or reports of coercive, aggressive or abusive actions on my part, at any time, are absolutely false.”
H/T pagesix.com