Matt Lauer left the “Today Show” in disgrace over a series of sexual harassment scandals — but his wife Annette Roque first went public over the morning host’s “cruel and inhuman” treatment during their marriage. The National ENQUIRER had the scoop when Matt first proposed to the striking model in 1998, as he insisted that Annette sign a pre-nuptial agreement. “Matt was married before,” said an insider, “so he knows the concept of ’till death do us part’ doesn’t always hold true,” said a friend, adding: “He’s very careful to protect everything he’s worked so hard for so many years to achieve.” And it only took three years for the marriage to fall apart as Matt became embroiled in another celebrity divorce scandal…
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As later revealed in bombshell divorce documents from 2006, Annette claimed that she had been subjected to "cruel and inhuman" conduct since 2001 — and feared for her safety. The documents said: "The conduct of defendant [Lauer] so endangers the physical and mental well-being of plaintiff (Annette) so as to render it un safe and improper for plaintiff to cohabit with defendant."
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The Dutch-born beauty also claimed she moved out of the couple's Manhattan home for three months in 2005 after Matt made "certain extremely hurtful accusations against" her, which she said "ultimately turned out to be unfounded." According to her divorce action, she said she
left her demanding husband "in a fit of rage," and their separation caused her "extreme distress."
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While she returned to their home, Annette socked him with a divorce only months later while she was pregnant with the couple's third child. The divorce papers — which were kept private for years — were filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Sept. 12, 2006. The allegations provided the first look at the cold-hearted husband behind
the pose of a beloved television host.4 of 8
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Annette blasted Matt as "extremely controlling," and said that she refused to allow her "to make even the smallest decisions without his approval." In a harsh blow, Annette accused Matt of being "extremely critical" of her "parenting skills on an ongoing, frequent and repeated basis" — leaving her "to feel inadequate as a mother."
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The furious wife also accused Matt of "extreme mental and emotional distress, humiliation, torment and anxiety." But in a separate legal action filed just days later, Matt lashed back at Annette, stating any "cruel and inhuman treatment" was "provoked" by her — not him!
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The ENQUIRER revealed that Matt had moved into his family's Manhattan apartment in summer of 2014 — after the publication of photos showing
Matt getting very cozy with a mystery blonde on his boat. An insider called it "a train wreck of a marriage," but added that Matt had "begged" for Annette to take him back by the end of the year.
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The latest revelations about Matt also came just months after The ENQUIRER revealed that a jealous Annette had warned her husband to stay away from new "Today" host
Megyn Kelly. “Annette’s told Matt under no uncertain terms that if he strays, he pays,” said a show insider. But, as it turned out, some insiders even believe that
Megyn helped to get the dirt that's made it easy for Annette to finally dump her cheating husband!
As later revealed in bombshell divorce documents from 2006, Annette claimed that she had been subjected to "cruel and inhuman" conduct since 2001 — and feared for her safety. The documents said: "The conduct of defendant [Lauer] so endangers the physical and mental well-being of plaintiff (Annette) so as to render it un safe and improper for plaintiff to cohabit with defendant."
Photo credit: Getty Images
The Dutch-born beauty also claimed she moved out of the couple's Manhattan home for three months in 2005 after Matt made "certain extremely hurtful accusations against" her, which she said "ultimately turned out to be unfounded." According to her divorce action, she said she
left her demanding husband "in a fit of rage," and their separation caused her "extreme distress."
Photo credit: Getty Images
While she returned to their home, Annette socked him with a divorce only months later while she was pregnant with the couple's third child. The divorce papers — which were kept private for years — were filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Sept. 12, 2006. The allegations provided the first look at the cold-hearted husband behind
the pose of a beloved television host.Photo credit: Getty Images
Annette blasted Matt as "extremely controlling," and said that she refused to allow her "to make even the smallest decisions without his approval." In a harsh blow, Annette accused Matt of being "extremely critical" of her "parenting skills on an ongoing, frequent and repeated basis" — leaving her "to feel inadequate as a mother."
Photo credit: Getty Images
The furious wife also accused Matt of "extreme mental and emotional distress, humiliation, torment and anxiety." But in a separate legal action filed just days later, Matt lashed back at Annette, stating any "cruel and inhuman treatment" was "provoked" by her — not him!
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images
The ENQUIRER revealed that Matt had moved into his family's Manhattan apartment in summer of 2014 — after the publication of photos showing
Matt getting very cozy with a mystery blonde on his boat. An insider called it "a train wreck of a marriage," but added that Matt had "begged" for Annette to take him back by the end of the year.
Photo credit: Getty Images
The latest revelations about Matt also came just months after The ENQUIRER revealed that a jealous Annette had warned her husband to stay away from new "Today" host
Megyn Kelly. “Annette’s told Matt under no uncertain terms that if he strays, he pays,” said a show insider. But, as it turned out, some insiders even believe that
Megyn helped to get the dirt that's made it easy for Annette to finally dump her cheating husband!
Photo credit: Getty Images
