Joan Vassos has been announced as the first “Golden Bachelorette,” a title she proudly accepted in an Instagram Reel shared by ABC. In the clip, Vassos is seen picking up a golden rose while wearing a shimmering gold dress, introducing herself to viewers as the chosen bachelorette for the upcoming show.
Excited about the news, Vassos also posted the video on her Instagram Story, expressing her gratitude and enthusiasm for the new journey ahead. She shared her excitement about being selected as “The Golden Bachelorette,” hinting at the adventure and romance that awaits her on the show. At 61 years old, Vassos is honored to be a part of the Bachelor Nation once again after her previous appearance on “The Golden Bachelor.”
Vassos made her first appearance on the reality dating show competing for Gerry Turner’s heart on the initial season of “The Golden Bachelor.” The two contestants bonded over the shared experience of losing their spouses, with Turner’s wife passing away from a bacterial infection in 2017 and Vassos losing her husband of 32 years to pancreatic cancer in 2021.
Despite her short-lived participation on the show, Vassos left the competition after three weeks to prioritize her family, particularly her daughter who had given birth and was experiencing postpartum depression. She emphasized the importance of family above all else and mentioned her commitment to her responsibilities as a mother, despite having planned to return to the show shortly after leaving due to her daughter needing more support.
As a private school administrator from Maryland, Vassos is a mother of four children and grandmother to two grandchildren. Following her departure from the show, Turner went on to marry contestant Theresa Nist in a televised wedding in January. However, their marriage ended in divorce just three months later, leaving Turner single once again.
The upcoming season of “The Golden Bachelorette” featuring Joan Vassos will premiere this fall on ABC, airing on Wednesdays. Viewers can catch up on episodes the following day on Hulu, following Vassos’ journey to find love and companionship once again through the unique and thrilling experience of reality TV dating.
