Lara Spencer Biography: Husband, Age, Net Worth, Height, Children, Books, TV Shows

Lara Spencer is an American television journalist, producer, and author, best known for her role as a contributor and former co-anchor on ABC’s Good Morning America.

She also hosts HGTV’s Flea Market Flip and Everything But the House, showcasing her passion for interior design and antiques. Her multifaceted career spans broadcast journalism, television production, and writing.

Profile

• Full Name: Lara Christine Von Seelen
• Stage Name: Lara Spencer
• Born: June 19, 1969
• Age: 56 years old
• Birthplace: Garden City, New York, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American Television Journalist, Producer, Host, Author
• Height: 5 feet 10
• Parents: Richard Ernest Von Seelen (father), and Carolyn Von Seelen (mother)
• Siblings: Keith Von Seelen (older brother), Lisa Von Seelen (sister), and Karen Von Seelen (sister), Kirk Von Seelen (brother)
• Spouse: Richard McVey (married September 1, 2018)
• Children: Duff Haffenreffer (son, b. January 22, 2002), And Katharine Paige Haffenreffer (daughter, b. 2004)
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $10 million to $20 million

Early Life and Education

Lara Christine Von Seelen was born on June 19, 1969, in Garden City, New York, to Richard Ernest and Carolyn Von Seelen. Raised in a suburban, affluent community alongside her older brother Keith and sisters Lisa and Karen (a fourth sibling, Kirk, is mentioned in some sources), Lara developed an early interest in athletics and journalism.

She attended Garden City High School, graduating in 1987, where she excelled in creative writing and contributed to the school newspaper. A nationally ranked competitive diver, she earned an athletic scholarship to Pennsylvania State University, where she majored in broadcast journalism and was named an All-American Athlete in 1991 for springboard and platform diving. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism in 1991, laying the foundation for her media career.

Career

Lara began her career in 1991 through the NBC Page Program, volunteering with reporters to gain experience. She then joined WDEF-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as a multimedia journalist, serving as reporter, producer, editor, cameraman, and news van driver.

After a year, she moved to News 12 Long Island, and two years later, she anchored the 3 a.m. newscast for WABC-TV in New York, covering the TWA Flight 800 crash, which marked her big break. In 1999, she became a national correspondent for ABC’s Good Morning America.

From 2004 to 2011, she hosted the syndicated entertainment newsmagazine The Insider and was a regular contributor to CBS’s The Early Show. She returned to Good Morning America as a co-anchor in 2011, later transitioning to a contributor role in 2018 to focus on her production company, DuffKat Media.

Lara hosted PBS’s Antiques Roadshow (2004–2005) and its spin-off Antiques Roadshow FYI (2005). She created, executive produced, and hosts HGTV’s Flea Market Flip (2012–present) and Everything But the House. She authored two New York Times bestselling books: I Brake for Yard Sales (2012) and Flea Market Fabulous (2014).

Lara also created and produced the NBC game show It’s Worth What? (2011), hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, and co-hosted the Miss America pageant in 2013 and 2014. Her acting credits include a cameo in Free Guy (2021) and a role in Gary Unmarried (2008).

Awards and Nominations

• Primetime Emmy Awards: • Won Outstanding Reality Program for Antiques Roadshow (2005, shared with the production team). • Nominated for Outstanding Special Class Special (2014, Good Morning America). • Nominated for Outstanding Morning Program (2019, Good Morning America).
• People’s Choice Award: • Nominated for Favorite Daytime TV Host (2013, Good Morning America).

Note: Her shows have received multiple accolades, but she has no individual acting awards. Claims of other awards, like a Webby Award, are misattributed (e.g., to Alan Becker).

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @lara.spencer
• Twitter Handle: @LaraaSpencer
• Facebook: Lara Spencer

Personal Life

Lara, resides in Beverly Hills, California, with her husband, Richard McVey, a tech entrepreneur and CEO of MarketAxess, whom she married on September 1, 2018, in Vail, Colorado, after a blind date set up by a mutual friend. She was previously married to David Haffenreffer, a former CNNfn journalist, from September 30, 2000, to June 2015, with whom she has two children: Duff (b. 2002) and Katharine (b. 2004).

The family lived in Greenwich, Connecticut, before moving to Los Angeles in 2008. Of French descent, Lara is Christian and a dedicated advocate for pet adoption, owning three rescue dogs. She enjoys tennis, home decorating, and flea market shopping, often sharing her finds on Instagram.

A 2019 controversy arose when she commented on Prince George’s ballet classes, perceived as mocking, leading to public backlash; she apologized on Instagram and Good Morning America with an interview featuring male dancers. She remains active at Penn State University, where she was named grand marshal for homecoming in 2014.

Filmography

• Gary Unmarried (2008) – Guest role
• It’s Worth What? (2011) – Creator/Executive Producer
• Flea Market Flip (2012–present) – Host/Executive Producer
• I Brake for Yard Sales (2012) – Host/Producer (HGTV special)
• Everything But the House (2021–present) – Host/Executive Producer
• Free Guy (2021) – Herself (cameo)
• Good Morning America (1999–2004, 2011–present) – National Correspondent/Co-Anchor/Contributor
• The Insider (2004–2011) – Host
• Antiques Roadshow (2004–2005) – Host
• Antiques Roadshow FYI (2005) – Host
• Miss America (2013, 2014) – Co-Host

Net Worth

Lara Spencer’s net worth is estimated at $10 million to $20 million. Her income stems from her Good Morning America salary (peaking at $3 million annually), hosting Flea Market Flip and Everything But the House, book sales (I Brake for Yard Sales, Flea Market Fabulous), and her production company DuffKat Media.