Annette Roque: Life After Matt Lauer, Net Worth & Bright Side Farm
The Untold Story of Annette Roque: Modeling Triumphs, High-Profile Divorce, and Finding Peace
Annette Roque spent decades living under the intense glare of the public eye. Long before making headlines as the wife of a disgraced television anchor, she built an impressive, independent identity. As a highly successful European fashion model, she graced global campaigns. Today, she is widely recognized as a dedicated mother and a competitive equestrian with a multi-million-dollar property in the Hamptons.
If you want to know how Annette Roque transitioned from international magazine covers to running a premier horse farm after a highly publicized divorce, you are in the right place. We will break down her early career, her relationship timeline, and where she stands today.
What to Know About Annette Roque (Direct Answer)
Annette Roque is a Dutch-born former international fashion model and equestrian, best known as the ex-wife of former Today show anchor Matt Lauer. Operating under the stage name “Jade Roque,” she modeled for top brands like Revlon and Victoria’s Secret before founding Bright Side Farm, a premier equestrian training facility in the Hamptons.
Key Takeaways
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International Modeling Career: Roque found massive success in the 1980s and 1990s as a high-fashion model under the name Jade Roque.
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High-Profile Marriage: She married TV anchor Matt Lauer in 1998 after meeting on a blind date.
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A Massive Settlement: Following Lauer’s 2017 termination from NBC, Roque filed for divorce, finalizing the split in 2019 with a reported $20 million settlement.
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Equestrian Success: She owns and operates Bright Side Farm, a state-of-the-art horse training facility in Water Mill, New York.
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Life Today: Roque maintains a highly private life, focusing heavily on co-parenting her three children.
Early Life and Rise as “Jade Roque”
Annette Roque was born in December 1966 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Her striking features—a blend of her Dutch and Indonesian heritage—helped her stand out in the highly competitive European fashion market.
By her early twenties, she relocated to Paris to pursue modeling full-time. To give her career an edge, she adopted the stage name “Jade Roque.” The strategy worked perfectly. She quickly signed with top agencies and landed lucrative contracts across Europe and the United States.
During the peak of her career, Roque appeared in catalogs for J. Crew and Victoria’s Secret. She also became a highly visible spokesmodel for Revlon cosmetics. Her modeling income established a strong foundation of independent wealth long before she ever met her famous ex-husband.
The Matt Lauer Marriage and Family Life
Roque met Matt Lauer in July 1997 on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. At the time, Lauer was recently promoted to co-anchor of NBC’s Today show. The two hit it off immediately and got engaged just five months later.
They officially tied the knot in October 1998 in Water Mill, New York. Over the next decade, the couple expanded their family. They welcomed three children together: Jack (born in 2001), Romy (born in 2003), and Thijs (born in 2006).
Despite their picture-perfect public appearances, the marriage faced significant turbulence behind closed doors. In September 2006, Roque filed for divorce while pregnant with their third child. She cited “cruel and inhumane acts” in the initial court documents. However, the couple reconciled weeks later, and Roque withdrew the divorce papers.
The Highly Publicized Divorce and Multimillion-Dollar Settlement
The turning point for Roque came in November 2017. NBC fired Matt Lauer following a detailed complaint of inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. As more allegations surfaced, Roque quietly separated from Lauer and stopped wearing her wedding ring.
She officially filed for divorce in July 2019. Because of the sheer volume of assets acquired during their 20-year marriage, the legal proceedings required massive financial untangling.
The divorce was finalized in September 2019. According to court insiders and legal reports, Roque received an exceptionally large divorce settlement.
Annette Roque Fast Facts
| Fact | Details |
| Birth Name | Annette Roque |
| Birth Year | December 1966 |
| Birthplace | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Profession | Former Model, Equestrian, Business Owner |
| Ex-Husband | Matt Lauer (m. 1998 – div. 2019) |
| Children | Jack, Romy, and Thijs Lauer |
| Reported Divorce Settlement | Up to $20 Million |
Bright Side Farm: A Passion for Equestrian Sports
Away from the camera flashes and tabloid headlines, Roque has always found peace around horses. She is a lifelong equestrian who competes actively in hunter-jumper competitions across the United States. You can frequently find her name listed on the United States Hunter Jumper Association] leaderboards
In 2013, she turned her passion into a massive business venture. Roque purchased land in Water Mill, New York, and built Bright Side Farm.
This state-of-the-art equestrian facility is nothing short of breathtaking. It features a massive indoor riding ring, perfectly manicured outdoor training areas, and luxury stalls for elite sport horses. Today, the facility serves as a premier training ground for high-net-worth clients in the Hamptons. Following the divorce, Roque maintained full ownership of this sprawling property.
Where is Annette Roque Now?
Since finalizing her divorce in 2019, Roque has intentionally stepped out of the public eye. She rarely grants interviews and does not maintain public social media profiles.
Her legal team released a statement shortly after the divorce, making her priorities entirely clear. They stated her only concern was the well-being of her three children. She continues to co-parent peacefully with Lauer. In June 2022, photographers spotted the former couple smiling together at their daughter Romy’s high school graduation.
Today, she spends her time managing Bright Side Farm, riding her horses, and enjoying her quiet, highly protected privacy.
Conclusion
Annette Roque’s story is about quiet resilience. She built a massive international modeling career on her own terms and gracefully navigated one of the most highly scrutinized divorces in modern television history. Armed with a multimillion-dollar settlement and her beloved Bright Side Farm, Roque has successfully rebuilt a peaceful, private life centered entirely on her children and her passions.
Next Steps
Are you curious about how high-net-worth divorces actually work behind the scenes? Check out our detailed guide on Celebrity Asset Division to learn how massive estates, properties, and businesses are split during a high-profile legal separation.
FAQs
Annette Roque is a Dutch-born equestrian, business owner, and former international fashion model. She is also widely known as the ex-wife of former television broadcaster Matt Lauer.
Roque officially filed for divorce following Lauer’s termination from NBC in 2017. Lauer was fired after multiple allegations of inappropriate sexual misconduct in the workplace surfaced.
While exact private court documents remain sealed, multiple reputable media outlets reported that Roque received a settlement of up to $20 million, along with ownership of specific real estate properties.
Bright Side Farm is an elite, luxury equestrian training facility located in Water Mill, New York. Annette Roque conceptualized, built, and currently owns the property.
No. While she had a highly successful career modeling for brands like Revlon and Victoria’s Secret in the 1980s and 1990s, she retired from the fashion industry to focus on her family and equestrian business.
Yes, they share three children together: Jack, Romy, and Thijs. They currently co-parent them.
