Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Katharine Paige Haffenreffer |
| Nicknames | Kate, Kat |
| Date of Birth | October 4, 2004 |
| Age | 21 (as of October 12, 2025) |
| Place of Birth | United States (likely Connecticut) |
| Current Residence | Riverside, Connecticut (off-seasons); Nashville, Tennessee (university) |
| Education | Greenwich Academy (high school graduate, 2023); Vanderbilt University (junior, undeclared major) |
| Occupation | Student-athlete (lacrosse player at Vanderbilt) |
| Height | Approximately 5’8” |
| Family Role | Daughter of Lara Spencer and David Haffenreffer; sister to Duff Haffenreffer |
| Interests | Lacrosse, travel, community involvement |
Early Life and Upbringing
A new autumn leaf in a busy family tree, Katharine Paige Haffenreffer was born on October 4, 2004. Her parents, television anchor Lara Spencer and journalist David Haffenreffer, raised her in Greenwich, Connecticut, where manicured lawns disguised high-profile lives. From kindergarten, lacrosse sticks were her friends, shaping her future. After 15 years, her parents split in 2015, yet they coparented well, keeping Katharine and her brother stable. Her upbringing was filled with short family vacations, like 2019 excursions to Greece, where blue waves reflected the family’s resilience. Katharine attended Greenwich Academy, an all-girls academic and sports school. Her growth led to Global Scholar status and participation in programs like the University of Pennsylvania Social Innovators in her teens. She was on the Caritas Youth Advisory Board and a school ambassador, juggling tough classes and sweaty practices.
Family Ties: A Network of Influence and Support
Katharine’s narrative revolves on a complex family. Her mother, Lara Spencer, born June 19, 1969, in Garden City, New York, co-anchors Good Morning America and hosts Flea Market Flip. Lara’s rise from lifestyle reporter to media mogul with antiques books shows her perseverance. She remarried Richard McVey in 2018, whose MarketAxess enterprise is worth $600 million, adding financial strength to the clan after divorcing amicably in 2015.
Father David Haffenreffer, born August 2, 1967, traded CNN’s financial anchor desk for real estate prowess at Houlihan Lawrence, specializing in Connecticut’s luxury homes. His Syracuse University roots ground him in journalism’s precision, now applied to property deals. Older brother David “Duff” Haffenreffer III, born January 22, 2002, shares a tight-knit sibling dynamic; his college graduation in May 2025 drew the family together in celebratory snapshots.
Grandparents pass on service and endurance. Mother: Carolyn von Seelen, born approximately 1940, celebrated her 85th birthday in July 2025 with a reunion that inspired a $1.5 million Northwell Health cardiac research endowment. After her spouse Richard von Seelen died in 2011, family warmth remained. David Haffenreffer Sr., 86, lives in Providence, Rhode Island, while Susan Haffenreffer, a clinical social worker in Taunton, Massachusetts, has a quiet impact on the neighbourhood.
Aunts widen the web. Ashley Haffenreffer Wagstaff, born about 1965, is a freelance writer and novelist married to David Wagstaff IV since December 27, 2001. She supports the Sakonnet Preservation Association from Menlo Park, California, with roots in Norwalk, Connecticut, and Little Compton, Rhode Island. Born June 2, 1968, Kristen Haffenreffer Moran, 57, manages organisations and media, including Rhode Islanders Sponsoring Education and Rhode Island PBS. A German studies graduate from St. Lawrence University, she posts family photos on Instagram from Providence.
This constellation of relatives—media stars, business titans, and social stewards—forms a protective orbit around Katharine, shielding her private life while fueling her ambitions. No public romantic entanglements surface, preserving her focus on personal growth.
Athletic Journey and Emerging Career
Katharine practices her edge in lacrosse. From kindergarten until high school, she specialised in defence and midfield, winning the 2021 Lax for the Cure tournament at Greenwich Academy. She verbally committed to Vanderbilt in 2022, entering Division I. Her quickness allowed her to win 6 draw controls in 9 games as a freshman in 2024. In 2025, sophomore year saw 8 games, peaking with 2 draw controls in a win, and the SEC Spring Honour Roll.
Beyond the field, coaching stints at Sound Lacrosse from May 2023 to June 2024 revealed her mentoring side, guiding young athletes with the same fervor she brings to play. Academic accolades stack up: 2023-24 All-AAC Academic Team and First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll underscore her scholarly balance. An internship at Goldman Sachs hints at finance intrigue, perhaps echoing her stepfather’s entrepreneurial path.
Financially veiled in privacy, Katharine benefits from familial wealth—her mother’s estimated $20 million from media ventures and stepfather’s vast holdings ensure a foundation as solid as bedrock. At 21, her “career” simmers with potential, blending sports, finance, and community roles into a promising brew.
Recent Milestones and Public Glimpses
The past year unfolds like a family album. Katharine and parents together during Duff’s graduation in May 2025. Carolyn’s 85th birthday party brought generations together in July. Lara posted meaningful Instagram tributes for October 2024’s 20th birthday, and August’s throwbacks showed empty-nest nostalgia during transitions.
Social media offers fleeting views—mostly through family accounts, highlighting lacrosse feats or vacations without Katharine’s direct input. No controversies mar this narrative; even a debunked June 2025 rumor about her father’s passing fades like mist. Her life remains a quiet river, flowing away from the spotlight’s glare.
Extended Life Timeline
| Year | Key Events |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Born October 4 to Lara Spencer and David Haffenreffer. |
| ~2004-2015 | Childhood in Greenwich, CT; begins lacrosse in kindergarten; family life pre-divorce. |
| 2011 | Maternal grandfather Richard von Seelen passes away. |
| 2015 | Parents divorce; coparenting ensues. |
| 2018 | Mother marries Richard McVey. |
| 2018-2023 | Attends Greenwich Academy; lacrosse excellence, Global Scholar; UPenn program, diversity conference, Harvard Model Congress; Caritas board. |
| 2019 | Greece vacation with family. |
| 2022 | Commits to Vanderbilt lacrosse. |
| 2023 | High school graduation; starts Vanderbilt; coaches at Sound Lacrosse (May 2023-June 2024). |
| 2024 | Freshman lacrosse: 9 games, 6 draw controls; academic honors; 20th birthday. |
| 2025 | Sophomore year: 8 games, SEC Honor Roll; brother’s graduation (May); grandmother’s 85th (July). |
FAQ
What is Katharine Paige Haffenreffer’s current age and education status?
Katharine is 21 years old as of October 12, 2025, and is a junior at Vanderbilt University with an undeclared major, balancing academics and Division I lacrosse.
Who are Katharine’s immediate family members?
Her parents are Lara Spencer and David Haffenreffer, with brother Duff Haffenreffer; stepfather Richard McVey joined in 2018, and grandparents include Carolyn von Seelen and David Haffenreffer Sr.
What are Katharine’s athletic achievements?
She has played 17 lacrosse games at Vanderbilt across two seasons, earning draw controls and honors like the 2025 SEC Spring Honor Roll, following high school successes including the 2021 Lax for the Cure win.
Does Katharine have a public social media presence?
Katharine maintains a private life with no personal social media accounts found; mentions appear indirectly through family posts on platforms like Instagram.
What recent family events has Katharine been part of?
In 2025, she attended her brother Duff’s college graduation in May and her grandmother Carolyn’s 85th birthday celebration in July, highlighting strong family bonds.
What is known about Katharine’s career interests?
As a student-athlete, her focus is on lacrosse and academics, with coaching experience at Sound Lacrosse and a Goldman Sachs internship suggesting interest in finance.