Who is Annette Roque? All about Matt Lauer’s ex-wife amid accuser Brooke Nevils upcoming book detailing assault 

When Matt Lauer's Today scandal became public knowledge, his marriage to Annette Roque crumbled after that. As per a report shared by Closer, the former couple was married for more than 20 years. They officially divorced after the scandal broke.

The pair met on a blind date in 1997. Lauer and Roque got married in 1998. They had dated for five months before tying the knot.

Annette Roque is a former model who came from the Netherlands. She worked with brands like Revlon and J. Crew in the past. Roque is also an equestrian. She started Bright Side Farm, which is a facility in the Hamptons. The location is used as a training ground for horses.

Lauer and his ex-wife have made multiple headlines recently because of Brooke Nevils. The former NBC employee accused Lauer of sexual assault. Nevils is releasing a new book next month titled Unspeakable Things. She goes into greater detail about her relationship with the former Today anchor in the book.

As per a report shared by Variety, Nevils first went public with her story in Ronan Farrow's 2019 book Catch and Kill. She accused Lauer of rape. The incident allegedly happened at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where she was working with Meredith Vieira.

Brooke Nevils detailed physical pain after alleged Matt Lauer assault

Nevils went into more detail about the alleged incident in her new book, Unspeakable Things. She wrote about why she didn't initially call it rape.

“Despite the rounds of vodka shots, the overwhelming power differential, and the bloody underwear and sheets, I would never have used the word ‘rape’ to describe what had happened,”

She explained, as per the excerpt shared by The Cut.

“Even now, I hear ‘rape’ and think of masked strangers in dark alleys. Back then, I had no idea what to call what happened other than weird and humiliating. But then there was the pain, which was undeniable. It hurt to walk," continued Nevils.

"It hurt to sit. It hurt to remember. One strikingly clear thought crossed my mind and then was instantly struck from my consciousness: If anyone else had done this to me, I would have gone to the police,” she added.

As per the report shared by Variety, Lauer has denied all the allegations against him.

Sources claimed everyone knew Matt Lauer regularly cheated on Annette Roque

In November 2017, sources informed People that Lauer's habitual cheating on Annette Roque was an open secret. People who knew him well were aware of his actions.

"He regularly cheated on his wife. Everyone knew. His wife lives in the Hamptons and he lives in the city, but we never heard he made unwanted moves," claimed one source.

A former Today staffer told People similar information.

"Everyone on staff knew he cheated regularly on his wife," the former Today staff member shared.

The staff member also discussed the misconduct allegations.

"That wasn't a secret, but sexual [misconduct] is a shock. He was friendly and approachable with everyone, and was very well-liked," the former Today staff member said.

Another source shared different details.

"He wasn't a lech and he wasn't known as someone who would corner you or retaliate against you if you spurned him or someone who would lure you into his dressing room," said the source.

Annette Roque is thought to have made millions from her divorce. She reportedly received a whopping $20 million from the settlement. As per Page Six, that was the figure the former NBC morning show anchor agreed to pay his now former wife. A source shared that they managed to keep things amicable as they sorted through their assets.

"Things really have settled down. Matt and Annette are getting on and they're both spending time with their kids. They hope to settle the divorce very soon," the source claimed.

Roque reportedly walked away with more assets beyond the cash settlement. Page Six also claimed that Annette Roque was awarded one of their properties in The Hamptons after the divorce was finalized.

Back in 2019, as per a report shared by 'Variety', Matt Lauer denied Brooke Nevils’ allegations as “categorically false, ignores the facts, and defies common sense.” He shared that their decisions were “consensual.”

“We performed oral sex on each other, we had vaginal sex, and we had anal sex. Each act was mutual and completely consensual,” Lauer explained.

He added that the encounter marked the beginning of his affair while he was still married to Annette Roque.

"We met for drinks, and she met me at my apartment on multiple occasions to continue our affair. Our meetings were arranged mutually. At no time, during or after her multiple visits to my apartment, did she express in words or actions any discomfort with being there, or with our affair."

He then shared about the aftereffects of his actions when it came to his relationship with Annette Roque.

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"Because of my infidelity, I have brought more pain and embarrassment to my family than most people can ever begin to understand. They’ve been through hell. I have asked for their forgiveness, taken responsibility for what I did do wrong, and accepted the consequences," he shared.

"But by not speaking out I also emboldened those who continue to do me harm with false stories," he added.

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