Matt Lauer Appeared ‘Very Happy’ While Making Rare Hamptons Appearance With Girlfriend Shamin Abas

Matt Lauer was spotted schmoozing with socialites in the Hamptons over the Fourth of July holiday, based on new photos that have emerged of the former Today show anchor.

Lauer, 68, stepped out in the East End with longtime girlfriend Shamin Abas at an annual party held on Saturday, July 4, at Robert Kraft‘s estate.

An eyewitness who spotted Lauer and Abas told People the couple appeared “very happy together, and were holding hands at one point and smiling and chatting with everyone there.”

Lauer has been living full-time in Sag Harbor, New York. The eyewitness added that the former news anchor is “happy” and “doing well.”

“He’s very happy with Shamin,” the insider continued.

For the outing, Lauer was spotted in a beige blazer, paired with a white button-down shirt, rocking sunglasses. Abas was wearing a colorful patterned dress.

Lauer and Abas have reportedly been dating since 2019.

Lauer was previously married to Annette Roque, who filed for divorce from the star in 2019. They share three children.

The sighting of Lauer is a rare one, given he’s remained largely out of the spotlight since his sexual assault allegations, including claims that the TV personality had a secret button under his desk that allowed him to lock his door from his seat.

In a letter to Variety in 2019, Lauer denied the existence of the infamous button, stating: “One such story I should have confronted a long time ago is an example of why I believe my silence was a mistake. Despite numerous erroneous reports in the past, there was not a button in my office that could lock the door from the inside. There was no such locking mechanism. It didn’t exist. NBC confirmed this fact publicly following my termination.”

Lauer has also denied assault claims, including a rape allegation, from former NBC staffer Brooke Nevils, who released a memoir earlier this year. Nevils has alleged she was raped by Lauer in 2014 while covering the Olympics in Russia.

In his 2019 letter via Variety, Lauer denied the allegation, stating: “I had an extramarital affair with Brooke Nevils in 2014. It began when she came to my hotel room very late one night in Sochi, Russia. We engaged in a variety of sexual acts. We performed oral sex on each other, we had vaginal sex, and we had anal sex. Each act was mutual and completely consensual,” his statement said.

While he did deny any sexual assault claims, he took accountability for bringing “pain” and “embarassment” to his family for his “infidelity.”

At the time of the rape allegations, NBC stated: “Matt Lauer’s conduct was appalling, horrific and reprehensible, as we said at the time. That’s why he was fired within 24 hours of us first learning of the complaint. Our hearts break again for our colleague.”