In this biography, we take a look at the life and career of Lara Spencer, a popular television host known for her work on Good Morning America. Born on June 19, 1969 (Age: 55 years old), Lara’s journey from a small-town girl to a renowned TV personality is truly inspiring.
With an estimated net worth of $20 million, she has balanced her professional achievements with her family life.
Here, we’ll walk you through her early life, education, career, and some fun facts about her.
So, let’s start!
In the biography, we’ve covered key details, including her rise to prominence in television, her ventures into writing and production, her family, and her interests like antiques and interior design.
Lara Spencer Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Lara Christine Von Seelen |
| Profession | TV Host, Journalist, Author |
| Age | 55 years old |
| Date of Birth | June 19, 1969 |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Birthplace | Garden City, New York, USA |
| Current Address | Yet to be updated |
Lara Spencer Husband, Children
Lara Spencer is currently married to Richard McVey [1], a tech entrepreneur, since 2018.
Before that, she was married to David Haffenreffer [2], a real estate broker, from 2000 to 2015.
Lara has two children with Haffenreffer: Duff Haffenreffer (born in 2002) and Katharine Paige Haffenreffer (born in 2004).
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband/Boyfriend | Richard McVey |
| Children | Son: Duff Haffenreffer Daughter: Katharine Paige Haffenreffer |
Lara Spencer Family
Lara Spencer was born to Richard Von Seelen and Carolyn Von Seelen. She has a brother named Keith Von Seelen. The family hails from Garden City, New York.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Richard Von Seelen Mother: Carolyn Von Seelen  |
| Siblings | Brother: Keith Von Seelen |
Lara Spencer Education
Lara Spencer completed her high school education at Garden City High School, graduating in 1987.
She then attended Pennsylvania State University [3] on a sports scholarship as a competitive diver and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism.
| School | Garden City High School (Graduated 1987) |
| Alma Mater | Pennsylvania State University |
| Highest Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism |
Lara Spencer Career
Early Career
Lara Spencer began her journey in media as part of the NBC page program, an entry-level position that allowed her to gain exposure to television production. This led to her first on-camera job at WDEF-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
There, she worked as a one-woman team, juggling various roles such as reporter, producer, editor, and cameraman.
Rise to Prominence
Spencer moved on to News 12 Long Island, where she anchored the 3 AM newscast. Her big break came while working for WABC-TV in New York when she covered the TWA Flight 800 crash.
This significant event drew national attention and helped her secure a role as a national correspondent for “Good Morning America” (GMA) in 1999.
She eventually became a co-anchor on GMA, contributing to one of America’s most-watched morning shows.
In addition to her GMA role, Spencer has reported for ABC News programs such as Nightline and ABC News Special Reports.
Hosting & Production
Apart from journalism, Spencer’s love for antiques and interior design led to her role as host of PBS’s Antiques Roadshow from 2004 to 2005.
In 2011, she co-created and began hosting HGTV’s Flea Market Flip, a show centered on turning flea market finds into valuable pieces.
Spencer’s career expanded into production with her own company, DuffKat Media, where she developed lifestyle programming. She also created the game show “It’s Worth What?” in 2011, which focused on the value of unique and rare items.
Miss America Pageant and Other Ventures
Lara also hosted the Miss America pageants in 2013 and 2015, alongside Chris Harrison. This extended her role as a prominent figure in American television hosting.
Writing Career
In addition to television, Spencer has authored two books. Her first book, “I Brake for Yard Sales” [4] (2012), is a guide to creating stylish homes using second-hand finds. Her second book, “Flea Market Fabulous” (2014), provides tips for decorating with vintage treasures.
Recent Work
Lara Spencer continues to be a part-time co-anchor on Good Morning America while focusing on her production projects. Since 2018, she has scaled back her GMA duties to spend more time developing her lifestyle brand and working on HGTV shows like Flea Market Flip. Her contributions to the morning show and her production company remain key parts of her professional life.
Awards and Recognition
- Daytime Emmy Awards: As part of the Good Morning America team.
- All-American Athlete (1991): Recognized for her diving achievements at Penn State University.
Controversies
| Year | Controversy | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | GMA Role Reduction | Lara reduced her on-air role at Good Morning America to focus on other projects, which stirred media speculation and discussions about her career trajectory. [5] |
| 2019 | Prince George Ballet Comment | Lara made a joke on Good Morning America about Prince George taking ballet classes, which was perceived as mocking. This led to public backlash, especially from the dance community. She later apologized on Instagram and air. [6] |
Lara Spencer Net Worth, Salary
Lara Spencer has an estimated net worth of approximately $20 million. Her annual salary from her role as a co-anchor on Good Morning America and other projects is around $3 million.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $20 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | $3 million annually |
Lara Spencer Height, Weight & Physical Stats
| Height | In centimeters: 177 cm In meters: 1.77 m In feet & inches: 5 ft 6 |
| Weight | In kg: 57 kg In lbs: 125 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 34-25-35 inches |
| Hair Colour | Blonde |
| Eye Colour | Blue |
Lara Spencer Instagram, X, Facebook
 lara.spencer | |
| X |  @LaraSpencer |
 LaraSpencer |
Interesting Facts About Lara Spencer
- Lara Spencer covered the TWA Flight 800 crash early in her career.
- Lara began as a one-person crew at WDEF-TV, handling all roles.
- She hosted Antiques Roadshow [7] for two seasons.
- Lara co-hosted the Miss America pageants in 2013 and 2015.
- Lara Spencer created the HGTV show Flea Market Flip.
- She reduced her role at GMA in 2018 to focus on lifestyle projects.
- Lara was an All-American competitive diver.
- Lara Spencer authored the book “I Brake for Yard Sales.”
- She has two children.
- Lara is passionate about antiques and vintage finds.
FAQs
How does Lara Spencer stay fit?
Lara Spencer stays fit through regular exercise, including tennis and spin classes, and she enjoys an active lifestyle.
What surgery did Lara Spencer have?
Lara Spencer underwent hip replacement surgery in 2020 to address chronic pain caused by years of athletics.
What is Lara Spencer’s salary?
She earns approximately $3 million per year as a co-anchor on Good Morning America.
Did Lara Spencer have a baby?
Spencer has two children, Duff and Katharine, from her previous marriage.
Why does Lara have a boot on?
She wore a boot in 2020 after undergoing surgery for a foot injury.
What is the age of Lara Spencer?
Lara Spencer was born on June 19, 1969, making her 55 years old.
What is the height of Lara Spencer?
Lara Spencer is 5 feet 6 inches (177 cm) tall.
