We Can Finally Stop Worrying About Richard Gere . . .

SOUTHAMPTON, NY – Looks like even Matt Lauer -- who makes a reported $20 million a year as the co-anchor of NBC's The Today Show -- was waiting for a bargain when it comes to Hamptons real estate.

Earlier today The New York Post report -- after three years on the market -- Richard Gere's magnificent twelve-bedroom/twelve bathroom 6.2-acre waterfront property, Strongheart Manor, has been sold, but the name of the "high-profile seller" had not been released.

Even with the enticement of Jimmy Buffet as your next-door neighbor not many people were willing to shell out $65 million for a North Haven retreat-- no matter how spectacular. Then Corcoran Real Estate's Susan Breitenbach took over the listing and within a few months the deal was sealed. Of course that is after the price tag was ultimately slashed by over $30 million.

Now Hamptons.curbed is reporting that Lauer is the mystery buyer -- which is great news for Gere. And this summer no one will be asking "Where in the world is Matt Lauer?" because anyone who has seen this property knows he'll be hanging by his pool soaking in the Peconic Bay views and maybe catching some rifts of "Margaritavilla" through the bushes . . .