It’s prime time to prep before the new season premieres.
If you’re still bummed about Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner’s split, we have news that will give you some hope: ABC recently announced who will be the first-ever Golden Bachelorette…and we can’t say we’re too surprised.
The network has revealed that the one who got away, Joan Vassos, will be handing out the roses during the first season of Golden Bachelorette. The announcement was made during Disney’s upfronts earlier this month, where Joan made an appearance.
Here’s what you should know about your new lead, including her age, how many kids she has, and how her late-husband died.
Who is Joan Vassos, the new Golden Bachelorette?
As you might recall, we first met Joan as a contestant on The Golden Bachelor, where she competed for Gerry’s heart. The two of them had an instant connection that really took off after the talent show group date — but soon after Joan and Gerry’s charged one-on-one date, she chose to self-eliminate. That was because Joan’s daughter had recently given birth and was going through a hard time, and Joan chose to prioritize her role as a mother.
“Once you become a mom, you’re always a mom, even as your kids get older,” she’d said when she explained why she was leaving.
Now, Joan is getting her second chance at love: The Golden Bachelor‘s official Instagram account posted a Reel announcing she would be the lead of the upcoming series. It’s light on details, but the short video, depicting Joan in a sequined gold gown, tells us everything we need to know. She picks up the rose, spins, and says, “I’m Joan and I’m your first Golden Bachelorette.”
Joan Vassos’ age and hometown
Joan is a 61-year-old school administrator from Rockland, Maryland. Her bio from The Golden Bachelor days reads, “Joan is proud of herself for starting a new career in this chapter of life and for how resilient she’s been through many unexpected life changes.” According to her LinkedIn, she’s been working in Alumni Relations and Annual Giving for a school in Bethesda, Md. for close to three years — before that, she was a self-employed interior designer.
Joan is a mother of four and grandmother of two
Her four children are Allison, Nicholas, Erica, and Luke. She describes herself as “a loving mother and a hard worker” who is “happiest when she’s at the beach with her family.” She’s clearly incredibly devoted given the fact that she chose her daughter’s well-being over her own quest for love on The Golden Bachelor.
Joan was married for 32 years
Joan’s bio reveals that after 32 years of marriage, she lost her husband three years ago to pancreatic cancer. On the most recent anniversary of her husband’s death, she posted a moving tribute on Instagram, writing, “I always knew that the hole he left in the universe when he passed away could never be filled, but I didn’t realize that maybe people might just stop noticing it was there.”
She continued, “He was the husband that always made me feel safe and cherished. He was the parent that was always the fun one because that’s all he knew how to do.”
Now, she’s ready to find someone “with whom to enjoy life,” according to her Golden Bachelor bio, and she’s looking for “a family man with whom to blend her life.” Her hobbies include listening to Elton John, visiting historical museums, and cooking — so perhaps she’ll connect with someone who enjoys those things as well. Or maybe someone who can appreciate a big, juicy burger — Joan’s favorite food!
When will Golden Bachelorette season 1 premiere?
The only downside of this exciting news is that fans are just going to have to wait a little longer to see the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelorette. We don’t have an exact premiere date, but we know it’ll begin airing this fall, on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC.
