Lara Spencer may be known for her bright mornings on Good Morning America, but it’s her life off-camera, with husband Rick McVey, that feels straight out of a storybook.
The HGTV host, author, and TV personality found love the second time around when she met McVey on a blind date. That chance meeting turned into a marriage, a blended family of five, and a romance full of travel, tennis, and second acts.
So who is the man who swept Lara off her feet — orthopedic boot and all? Here’s everything to know about Rick McVey, the tech mogul who became her partner in life, love, and flea market flips.
A blind date, a big wedding, and a blended family
Lara met Rick after a mutual friend set them up on a blind date. At the time, both were divorced with children from previous marriages. Lara shares son Duff and daughter Katharine with ex-husband David Haffenreffer, while Rick has three adult daughters of his own.
The couple dated for about two years before Rick proposed in January 2018. They married on September 1, 2018, in an outdoor ceremony in Vail, Colorado — the same place Lara would later revisit in 2024 while recovering from foot surgery.
The wedding was personal and heartwarming: Lara’s son Duff walked her down the aisle as Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” played. She wore a fitted lace mermaid gown by Adam Zohar, complete with sheer cutouts and a trailing white veil. Guests sipped cocktails beneath the mountain sky and watched as two families officially became one.
“Worth the wait,” Lara later wrote about the day.
Life with Rick: From Paris to Fenway
Rick McVey may not be a household name, but in the world of tech and finance, he’s a powerhouse. He founded MarketAxess in 2000, a global electronic trading platform where he serves as CEO and Chairman of the Board. According to CelebrityNetWorth, McVey has a net worth north of $600 million, and owns hundreds of millions in company stock.
But next to Lara, he’s just Rick — a dad, travel partner, and the guy taking selfies in front of the Eiffel Tower. The two have been spotted everywhere from Capri to Wimbledon, sharing romantic kisses at the US Open and toasting beers at Fenway Park.
In 2021, Lara posted from her first trip to Fenway, gushing about the experience. In 2022, they watched the Yankees face off against the Red Sox again, this time from Yankee Stadium. “Homerun of a Sunday,” she captioned the moment, proving their shared love of sports is very real.
They’ve also marked anniversaries with trips to Greece and the Amalfi Coast, always with smiles and sun-drenched snapshots.
Second marriage, first priorities
Rick, a graduate of Miami University in Ohio, is known not just for his business success, but for his philanthropy. In 2020, he donated $20 million to Miami University for construction of the Richard M. McVey Data Science Building and was named Philanthropist of the Year by the university.
Despite their demanding careers, both Lara and Rick keep family at the center of it all. Together, they’ve raised five kids and navigated the complexities of blending households with grace.
Lara has said she remains on good terms with her ex-husband, and both she and Rick have always put their children first. Now that Duff and Katharine are in college, one just graduated, the other a junior, the couple has stepped into a new chapter as near-empty nesters.
Still, they’re far from slowing down.
Love in her prime
Whether she’s recovering in Vail, chasing antiques for Flea Market Flip, or documenting college send-offs, Lara Spencer is living what she calls her “prime years.” And Rick McVey is right there beside her, cheering her on, snapping the selfies, and building a life filled with adventure, purpose, and a lot of heart.
For Lara, it’s not just about career milestones. It’s about morning coffee, family dinners, and second chances that show up when you least expect them.
