'The marriage was never good to begin with... He was too much of a ladies' man': How Matt Lauer's Dutch model wife always feared he was 'a player' who would cheat on her - even before they were married
- Despite her reservations, the former Dutch model married Lauer in 1998 after they met on a blind date
- The marriage suffered as Lauer's reputation as a 'ladies man' continued to travel with him around NBC studios
- Lauer was fired from NBC juggernaut The Today Show less than two weeks ago
- A second source claimed that their marriage was 'never good' from the get-go
- On November 30, Lauer broke his silence and had a statement read live on-air through his former Today Show co-hosts
- Sources say that Lauer is 'weak and broken and ashamed by his own admission'
- The pair were both seen without their wedding rings in the Hamptons this week
Matt Lauer's wife, Annette Roque, feared the disgraced newsman would cheat on her even before they got married 20 years ago.
'He was a player when she met him and she knew that,' a source who worked with Lauer told People Magazine on Thursday. 'Even many years ago, he was a flirt, a philanderer. He did his thing.'
Despite her reservations, the former Dutch model married Lauer in 1998 after they met on a blind date and have since had three children together.
But the union apparently suffered as Roque struggled to reconcile with Lauer's growing 'ladies man' reputation around 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Scroll down for video
Despite her reservations, former Dutch model Annette Roque (pictured) married Lauer in 1998 after they met on a blind date
Annette was seen running errands on Wednesday near her home in Sag Harbor, New York, without wearing her wedding ring
Lauer was fired from NBC juggernaut The Today Show less than two weeks ago after network executives received a 'detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior.'
'By Matt's own admission there were struggles and challenges with his wife,' the source said. 'Like many couples, they struggled with a modern marriage.'
Lauer was fired from NBC juggernaut The Today Show less than two weeks ago on November 29
A second source claimed that their marriage was 'never good' to begin with and nearly hit a breaking point more than a decade ago.
In 2006, Roque filed for divorce claiming that Lauer exhibited 'cruel and inhumane' acts against her, according to court documents.
Roque, 51, also accused Lauer of demonstrating 'extreme anger and hostility' that endangered her mental and physical wellbeing.
The couple, however, apparently reconciled their difference, with Roque withdrawing the legal action three weeks later.
But the relationship never regained its original luster, with the source saying the two 'lived totally separate lives.'
Lauer was 'essentially living as a single guy' in Manhattan, said the source, while Roque stayed in the Hamptons along with their three children.
Despite the distance and strained ties between the couple, Lauer was 'solid father' who adored his children.
Lauer, 59, has also been accused by a number of anonymous NBC staffers of sexual misconduct and assault in reports published by Variety and The New York Times.
Since then the married couple have been spotted in the Hamptons not wearing their wedding rings.
A day after his firing, Lauer broke his silence and had a statement read live on-air through his former Today Show co-hosts on November 30.
Lauer was also spotted without his wedding ring on Wednesday as he picked up his son's lunch from a local deli in Sag Harbor, New York
On November 30, Lauer broke his silence and had a statement read live on-air through his former Today Show co-hosts
The marriage suffered as Lauer's reputation as a 'ladies man' continued to travel with him around NBC studios. He is pictured with former Today colleagues Savannah Guthrie (left) and Hoda Kotb (right)
'There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions,' he said.
'To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this, I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.'
'Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly,' he continued.
'Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching, and I'm committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It's been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace.'
The source told People that Lauer is struggling to cope with the fallout from the scandal, describing him as 'weak and broken and ashamed by his own admission.'
'He is my friend. He is human, and he is flawed. But is he going to use his power to be a predator on women? Until I see solid evidence of that, I just can't believe it. We don't know the details,' the source added.
Most watched News videos
- Man rescues rabbit amidst intensifying flames from LA wildfire
- John and Jackie Kennedy visit Buckingham Palace in 'The Crown'
- Heart-warming moment dog copies owner's facial expressions
- GRAPHIC CONTENT: Dad beats young girl then shaves her head
- Police arrest 'suspect' for the murder Hawaiian house cleaner
- Sarah Sanders: Trump slurred words because his 'throat was dry'
- Moment couple are filmed having sex while driving
- Shocking body cam video shows Arizona cop shooting Daniel Shaver
- Adorable moment lioness shares huge cuddle with caretaker
- Shocking video shows innocent woman being savaged by police dog
- ISIS fighters scream in panic before being blown up in Syria
- Emmit Walker apologizes for calling out the woman in the airport
- 'It was a never-ending supply of cute young men': Bryan...
- Ivanka and Jared brave the snow flurries as they wrap up...
- Couple are arrested for beating Hawaiian house cleaner to...
- Senior Disney music executive, 58, is charged with three...
- Santas brave the snow! Thousands take to the streets of...
- 'Staggeringly beautiful, savvy and intelligent': How...
- California governor blames devastating wildfires on...
- Trump ignores protesters and boycotts from top civil...
- Prince Andrew's godson and future Earl of Derby posts...
- 'You make me want to vomit': Rose McGowan attacks her...
- Top executive at Banc of California turned the...
- Former Sports Illustrated cover girl says modeling...
- 'I forgive my sister's killer but he doesn't deserve...
- This is what 600 days of no booze looks like: Man, 27,...
- 'The LEAST trusted name in news': Trump blasts CNN for...
- Netflix drama The Crown faces criticism over a 'monstrous...
- Tear gas and rubber bullets fired into crowds as...
- Substitute teacher and custodian hailed as heroes for...