Annette Roque holds an estimated net worth of around $20 million, a figure largely accumulated through her high-profile 2019 divorce settlement from former NBC anchor Matt Lauer. Beyond her marriage, Roque built an independent career as a successful international fashion model during the 1980s and 1990s and remains an avid equestrian. While media outlets often focus on the financial fallout of her two-decade marriage, her wealth stems from a combination of her own early professional earnings, a substantial asset division agreement, and prime real estate holdings in New York.
Understanding the real scope of her financial standing requires looking past tabloid headlines. This guide breaks down where her fortune comes from, how the multi-million dollar settlement was structured, and what her life looks like today.
Early Career and Modeling Earnings
Long before marrying a morning television host, Annette Roque established herself in the European and American fashion industries. Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, she relocated to major fashion capitals to pursue modeling, working professionally under the name Jade Roque.
During her active modeling years, she secured notable commercial contracts and print campaigns:
- Appeared in prominent retail and fashion catalogs, including J. Crew.
- Modeled for major lingerie and apparel brands like Victoria's Secret.
- Served as a official spokesmodel for beauty giant Revlon.
While precise financial records from her modeling days aren't public, top-tier commercial models working with international brands during that era earned steady, high-five to six-figure annual incomes. This early work allowed Roque to build financial independence well before meeting Lauer on a blind date in July 1997.
The 2019 Divorce Settlement and Asset Division
The defining factor in public curiosity regarding Annette Roque's wealth is her separation from Matt Lauer. Following Lauer's high-profile firing from The Today Show in late 2017, the couple's marriage deteriorated. After a brief attempt at reconciliation, Roque filed for divorce in July 2019, which was finalized that September.
Legal and entertainment news outlets, including [Page Six] (https://pagesix.com), reported that Roque walked away with a divorce settlement package valued at approximately $20 million. The financial agreement included several key components:
- Lump-Sum Payout: A multi-million-dollar cash transfer designed to secure her long-term financial independence.
- Real Estate Assets: Ownership of significant property holdings, most notably the family's equestrian estate in Water Mill, New York (often referred to as Bright Side Farm).
- Spousal and Family Support: Agreed-upon provisions covering ongoing family expenses and asset protections for their three children: Jack, Romy, and Thijs.
At the peak of his career, Lauer's net worth was estimated between $100 million and $150 million. Although legal fees, taxes, and subsequent market shifts altered that total, Roque's settlement represented a major transfer of marital assets that insulated her and her children from future financial instability.
Real Estate and Equestrian Investments
Real estate forms a massive pillar of Roque's net worth. The Hamptons property market commands some of the highest valuations in the United States. By securing ownership of the Water Mill horse farm, Roque acquired an asset worth millions that appreciates naturally over time.
She manages and operates the estate as a functional equestrian facility. Horses have remained a lifelong passion for Roque, and maintaining a professional farm aligns with her preference for a quiet, private lifestyle away from urban media centers. Property values in Water Mill ensure that this real estate holding alone anchors a secure multi-million-dollar net worth, independent of cash savings or investments.
Life After the Settlement
Unlike other high-profile figures who leverage public divorces into media brands, Roque chose total privacy. She hasn't launched a lifestyle brand, written a tell-all memoir, or sought television appearances. Instead, she divides her time between managing her estate, supporting her children, and maintaining a low profile in New York.
Her financial strategy focuses on capital preservation and asset management rather than aggressive public enterprise. By keeping her financial affairs private and avoiding public ventures, she protects the wealth secured during her settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Annette Roque's net worth?
Annette Roque's net worth is estimated at approximately $20 million. This wealth is primarily derived from her 2019 divorce settlement, valuable real estate holdings in the Hamptons, and earnings from her historical career as an international fashion model.
How much did Annette Roque receive in her divorce from Matt Lauer?
Reports from legal and entertainment media indicate that Roque received a $20 million settlement. The agreement also included ownership of high-value real estate, including their residential and equestrian property in Water Mill, New York.
Did Annette Roque work before marrying Matt Lauer?
Yes. Before her marriage in 1998, Roque worked professionally as a high-fashion and commercial model in Europe and the United States. She represented brands like Revlon, J. Crew, and Victoria's Secret under the professional name Jade Roque.
Where does Annette Roque live now?
She primarily resides in the Hamptons region of New York, focusing on private family life, managing her equestrian property, and staying out of the public spotlight.
