Lara Spencer: Husband, Net Worth, Height, Children, Age, Weight Loss & More

Lara Spencer is an American television journalist, producer, author and lifestyle personality best known for her work on ABC's Good Morning America. She has also built a successful second career around antiques, design and home renovation, most notably as the creator and host of HGTV's Flea Market Flip.

Spencer's career has taken her from local television news to national morning television, entertainment reporting and television production. She has also written bestselling books about decorating and finding value in secondhand items. ABC describes her as an Emmy-winning anchor and Good Morning America contributor.

Away from television, Spencer has been married twice. She has two children with her first husband, former CNN journalist David Haffenreffer, and has been married to financial executive Richard "Rick" McVey since 2018.

Quick Facts About Lara Spencer

●      Full name: Lara Christine Von Seelen

●      Professional name: Lara Spencer

●      Date of birth: June 19, 1969

●      Age: 57

●      Birthplace: Garden City, New York

●      Nationality: American

●      Profession: Journalist, television host, producer, and author

●      Current network: ABC News

●      Known for: Good Morning America, Flea Market Flip, The Insider

●      Height: About 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m), according to Celebrity Net Worth

●      College: Pennsylvania State University

●      Degree: Bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism

●      First husband: David Haffenreffer

●      Second husband: Richard "Rick" McVey

●      Children: Two

●      Son: Duff Haffenreffer

●      Daughter: Kate Haffenreffer

How Old Is Lara Spencer?

Lara Spencer was born on June 19, 1969, in Garden City, New York.

She is 57 years old.

Spencer attended Garden City High School before going to Pennsylvania State University, where she combined academics with competitive diving.

What Is Lara Spencer's Real Name?

Lara Spencer was born Lara Christine Von Seelen.

She is professionally known as Lara Spencer. Her professional surname comes from her family name after her first marriage, although she continued using Spencer professionally after her divorce.

How Tall Is Lara Spencer?

Lara Spencer is listed at 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 metres) by Celebrity Net Worth.

Who Is Lara Spencer's Husband?

Lara Spencer's current husband is Richard "Rick" McVey, a financial executive and entrepreneur.

McVey is the founder and CEO of MarketAxess, a financial technology company specializing in electronic trading in fixed-income securities.

Spencer and McVey met after being introduced on a blind date by a mutual friend. They became engaged in January 2018 and married later that year.

When Did Lara Spencer and Rick McVey Get Married?

Lara Spencer and Rick McVey married on September 1, 2018, in Vail, Colorado.

The wedding was Spencer's second marriage. McVey also had children from a previous marriage.

The couple has generally kept their relationship relatively private compared with Spencer's television career.

Who Was Lara Spencer's First Husband?

Lara Spencer's first husband was David Haffenreffer, a journalist and former television anchor.

The couple married on September 30, 2000, at St. Andrew's Dune Church in Southampton, New York, in an Episcopal ceremony.

Haffenreffer worked for CNN and CNBC and was also known for his work in financial and business news.

Spencer and Haffenreffer announced their separation in March 2015, and their divorce was finalized in June 2015.

Does Lara Spencer Have Children?

Yes. Lara Spencer has two children, both from her first marriage to David Haffenreffer:

●      Duff Haffenreffer, her son

●      Kate Haffenreffer, her daughter

ABC has described Spencer as the mother of two children.

Both children have largely grown up outside the television spotlight, although Spencer has occasionally shared family milestones publicly.

Who Is Lara Spencer's Daughter?

Lara Spencer's daughter is Kate Haffenreffer.

Kate attended Vanderbilt University. In 2023, Spencer shared photographs from dropping Kate off at college in Nashville. ABC reported that Kate and George Stephanopoulos' daughter Harper were both beginning their college years at Vanderbilt.

In 2024, People reported that Kate was a sophomore while her older brother Duff was a senior.

Who Is Lara Spencer's Son?

Her son is Duff Haffenreffer.

Duff is Spencer's older child.

In 2024, People reported that Duff was 21 and entering his senior year of college.

Spencer has occasionally posted about her children's milestones, including their transition from childhood to college.

Who Are Lara Spencer's Parents?

Lara Spencer's parents were Richard Ernest Von Seelen and Carolyn Von Seelen.

Her mother, Carolyn, was particularly influential in Spencer's passion for yard sales, antiques, and repurposing furniture.

Carolyn died on February 13, 2026, at age 85. ABC News reported that she was the mother of six children, grandmother of 12, and great-grandmother of four.

Spencer has credited her mother with teaching her how to find creative ways to transform inexpensive or discarded items.

What Happened to Lara Spencer's Mother?

Carolyn Von Seelen died in February 2026.

ABC News published a tribute describing her as a major influence on Lara's love of thrift shopping and creative decorating. Spencer recalled accompanying her mother on yard-sale adventures and learning to see potential in objects that others might consider worthless.

One of Spencer's favorite memories was traveling with her mother along the World's Longest Yard Sale, where the two searched for bargains together.

Spencer described her mother's legacy as one of creativity, resilience, optimism, faith, and love for family.

Where Did Lara Spencer Go to College?

Spencer attended Pennsylvania State University.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism.

But journalism wasn't the only thing she became known for at Penn State.

Spencer was an accomplished competitive diver and attended the university on an athletic scholarship for springboard and platform diving.

During her senior year, she was named an All-American athlete.

Was Lara Spencer a Professional Diver?

Spencer was a nationally ranked competitive diver during college.

At Penn State, she competed in springboard and platform diving and earned All-American recognition.

Her athletic background has remained relevant throughout her life because she has continued to pursue physically active hobbies, including tennis and swimming.

ABC has described her as a former All-American springboard diver.

When Did Lara Spencer Start Her Journalism Career?

Spencer began her television career in local news.

Her early professional experience included reporting for WDEF-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee, followed by work at News 12 Long Island.

She subsequently joined WABC-TV in New York, where she spent several years covering news, features, and human-interest stories.

Her WABC assignments included major stories such as the crash of TWA Flight 800 and the death of Princess Diana.

When Did Lara Spencer Join Good Morning America?

Lara Spencer first joined Good Morning America as a national correspondent in 1999.

ABC reported that she became particularly known for reporting on unusual and human-interest stories, including a 50-state road trip in a red convertible.

She later returned to ABC News in 2011 as GMA's lifestyle anchor after several years working in entertainment television.

Is Lara Spencer Still on Good Morning America?

Yes.

However, her role has changed over the years.

Spencer was previously a major co-anchor of Good Morning America, but she later reduced her regular presence on the program while focusing more heavily on television production.

ABC currently describes her as an Emmy-winning anchor and contributor to Good Morning America.

She continues to appear on the program, particularly for lifestyle, entertainment, design, and special-interest segments.

For example, ABC featured her on GMA in March 2026 interviewing Conan O'Brien ahead of the Oscars.

Why Did Lara Spencer Reduce Her Role on GMA?

In 2018, Spencer announced plans to reduce her appearances on Good Morning America to focus more heavily on television production and her production company, DuffKat Media.

Rather than leaving ABC completely, she shifted toward a contributor role while developing projects outside the morning program.

This allowed her to combine journalism with her interests in design, antiques, and television production.

What Is Lara Spencer Known For Besides GMA?

Spencer's most successful project outside ABC News has been HGTV's Flea Market Flip.

She created and hosted the program, which combines flea-market shopping, furniture renovation and competition.

The premise involves teams finding inexpensive items at flea markets and transforming them into redesigned pieces.

ABC identifies Flea Market Flip as an Emmy Award-winning HGTV program created and hosted by Spencer.

What Was The Insider?

Spencer was also a prominent entertainment-news personality on The Insider.

She became a co-anchor of the syndicated entertainment program in 2003 and later served as its solo anchor in Los Angeles.

During her time there, she interviewed numerous celebrities and newsmakers.

Her work on The Insider helped broaden her career beyond traditional news reporting and eventually contributed to her reputation as a lifestyle and entertainment television personality.

Did Lara Spencer Host Antiques Roadshow?

Yes.

Spencer hosted PBS's Antiques Roadshow in 2004.

She subsequently hosted Antiques Roadshow FYI in 2005.

Her interest in antiques and secondhand treasures later became central to Flea Market Flip and her books.

What Is Lara Spencer's Net Worth?

Lara Spencer's net worth is estimated at approximately $20 million by Celebrity Net Worth.

However, this is a third-party estimate, not an audited or officially disclosed figure.

Her income has come from several areas, including:

●      ABC News

●      Television hosting

●      HGTV programs

●      Television production

●      Book royalties

●      Other media work

Celebrity Net Worth estimates her annual salary at approximately $3 million.

Because ABC does not publicly disclose Spencer's personal compensation, the $3 million figure should be described as an estimate rather than a confirmed salary.

Is Lara Spencer's Husband Rich?

Rick McVey is a successful financial executive.

He founded MarketAxess, an electronic trading platform for fixed-income securities, and served as its CEO.

Third-party sources have estimated McVey's wealth at hundreds of millions of dollars, but such figures are estimates rather than official personal financial disclosures.

Celebrity Net Worth has previously estimated McVey's net worth at between $600 million and $700 million, largely based on his MarketAxess holdings.

It is therefore important not to combine his estimated wealth with Spencer's own net worth when reporting Spencer's finances.

Has Lara Spencer Had Weight Loss?

There is no reliable evidence that Lara Spencer underwent a specific major weight-loss program or lost a publicly confirmed number of pounds.

What is documented is her longstanding commitment to fitness and an active lifestyle.

In a 2014 interview, Spencer said she ate foods she enjoyed in moderation, emphasizing vegetables and other fresh foods. She also said she enjoyed swimming laps.

She has also discussed playing tennis and practicing yoga.

What Is Lara Spencer's Diet?

Spencer has said that she tries to eat fresh, healthy foods but does not completely deprive herself of treats.

In her interview with Parade, she said she eats what she wants in moderation and particularly enjoys vegetables and fruits such as:

●      Kale

●      Broccoli

●      Blueberries

●      Strawberries

●      Spinach

She also admitted that she enjoys cupcakes occasionally.

This is considerably different from some online claims that attribute her appearance to a specific crash diet or weight-loss product.

There is no solid evidence that she endorses a secret weight-loss program.

How Does Lara Spencer Stay Fit?

Spencer has remained physically active for much of her life.

Her activities have included:

●      Tennis

●      Swimming

●      Yoga

●      General exercise

●      Competitive diving earlier in life

In 2017, Us Weekly reported that Spencer played tennis and practiced yoga and cited her earlier comments about her diet and swimming.

Her athletic background also gives context to her interest in maintaining an active lifestyle.

Did Lara Spencer Have Hip Replacement Surgery?

Yes.

Spencer underwent right hip replacement surgery in August 2016.

The procedure came after years of physical activity, including competitive diving and tennis, and chronic pain in her right hip.

She told ABC that she was surprised by the diagnosis because she associated hip replacement with older people.

After surgery, she underwent physical therapy and reported that her recovery was going well.

Did Lara Spencer Have Another Surgery?

Yes.

Spencer later underwent surgery for a left foot injury involving a torn plantar plate and ligament.

During her recovery, she shared videos of physical therapy and exercises that allowed her to maintain strength while she could not put weight on the affected leg.

This is separate from her earlier hip replacement.

What Books Has Lara Spencer Written?

Lara Spencer has written two notable books:

I Brake for Yard Sales

Published in 2012, the book focuses on decorating with secondhand finds and turning inexpensive objects into stylish home décor.

Flea Market Fabulous

Her second book expands on her passion for flea markets, antiques, decorating, and repurposing.

ABC identifies both books as New York Times bestsellers.

What Is DuffKat Media?

DuffKat Media is Spencer's production company.

The company takes its name from her two children, Duff and Kate.

Spencer has used the company to develop television projects connected to her interests in lifestyle, design, and entertainment.

Her move toward television production was one reason she reduced her regular GMA schedule.

Lara Spencer Career Timeline

Year    Career milestone

1969    Born in Garden City, New York

1987    Graduated from Garden City High School

1991    Graduated from Penn State; named an All-American athlete

1990s  Worked at WDEF-TV and News 12 Long Island

1995    Began work at WABC-TV

1999    Joined Good Morning America as a national correspondent

2003    Became co-anchor of The Insider

2004    Began hosting Antiques Roadshow

2005    Hosted Antiques Roadshow FYI

2011    Returned to ABC News as GMA lifestyle anchor

2012    Published I Brake for Yard Sales

2012    Co-hosted Good Afternoon America

2014    Became a prominent GMA co-anchor

2016    Underwent right hip replacement

2016    Published Flea Market Fabulous

2018    Married Rick McVey

2018    Reduced regular GMA role to focus more on production

2023    Dropped daughter Kate off at Vanderbilt University

2026    Continues contributing to Good Morning America

Conclusion

Lara Spencer's career is considerably broader than her role on Good Morning America.

She began in local television news, eventually joined GMA as a national correspondent, worked in entertainment television, hosted Antiques Roadshow, returned to ABC as a lifestyle anchor, and later developed successful programs centered around antiques and home design.

Her most recognizable non-news project is Flea Market Flip, which combined her television experience with a passion for finding and transforming secondhand items. That interest can be traced partly to her late mother, Carolyn Von Seelen, who introduced her to yard sales and thrift shopping when she was young.

Personally, Spencer has been married to Rick McVey since 2018. She has two children, Duff and Kate, from her previous marriage to David Haffenreffer.

And regarding the frequently searched question about Lara Spencer's weight loss, there is no credible evidence supporting a specific dramatic weight-loss figure. What is documented is her long-standing commitment to exercise, including tennis, swimming and yoga, along with a balanced approach to food.

Today, Spencer remains active with ABC News and Good Morning America while continuing to pursue lifestyle and entertainment projects. Her career has successfully combined journalism, television production, design, antiques and publishing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Lara Spencer separated from her husband?

No. Lara Spencer is not publicly known to be separated from her current husband, Rick McVey. Spencer and McVey married in September 2018 and have continued to be described as married. Her earlier marriage to David Haffenreffer ended in divorce in 2015.

2. What health condition does Lara Spencer have?

Lara Spencer has dealt with long-term foot problems stemming from an injury dating back to her college years. In December 2024, she revealed that she had undergone surgery on both feet. She explained that her right foot required removal of a plate from a previous surgery, while the other foot also needed corrective surgery.

Spencer was an athlete at Penn State, where she competed in springboard and platform diving on an athletic scholarship. She has not publicly identified a major chronic disease as the reason for her recent absences from Good Morning America.

3. Does Lara Spencer have any biological children?

Yes. Lara Spencer has two biological children, a son named Duff Haffenreffer and a daughter named Katharine “Kate” Haffenreffer. Both children are from her previous marriage to David Haffenreffer. Spencer has publicly shared updates about them, including their college years.

She and her current husband, Rick McVey, do not have children together; both brought children from previous relationships into their marriage.

4. What happened to Lara Spencer from GMA?

Lara Spencer has not left Good Morning America. She remains associated with ABC and GMA, where she is a contributor rather than the show's principal daily co-anchor.

She has occasionally been absent from the program because of personal and health circumstances. Most notably, she took time away in 2024 while recovering from double foot surgery. She subsequently returned to GMA and told viewers that she was doing well.

So, claims that Lara Spencer was permanently removed from GMA are misleading; her role has evolved, but she remains part of the ABC News/GMA team.