Matt was educated at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio where he majored in communications. He was hired for internship and quit school in 1979 - four credits shy of graduation. Matt later obtained the degree in 1997 by writing a paper on work experience and delivering the commencement address. Matt's first wife was Nancy Alspaugh, born in 1955, a TV producer. Matt was briefly engaged to Kristen Gesswein, a newscaster. They were together from 1989-96. Matt's current wife is Dutch born model Annette Roque (aka Jade Roque). They have been together since the summer of 1997. They were married October 3, 1998. Matt's father's name is Robert Lauer. He was a retired bicycle-company executive who divorced from Lauer's mother. He died of cancer in 1997 at age 74. Matt's mother's name is Marilyn Kolmer, who is a boutique owner and a former model. She remarried to Richard Kolmer who is Matt's stepfather. Marilyn's father, Matt's grandfather, is Art Gentry, a singer. Matt has a sister whose name is April Lauer Stone. April was born in 1953 and is married with two children. In 1999 Matt won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Program, 1998 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.