Uncovering Joan Vassos: Insights into the Inaugural Golden Bachelorette

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Joan Vassos. Disney/James Clark

Gerry Turner from The Golden Bachelor is handing over the reins to Joan Vassos, who will be the first Golden Bachelorette.

In May, it was announced that Joan will be the star of the new ABC spinoff series. The Golden Bachelorette is set to debut on Wednesdays in the fall of 2024.

Joan took to her Instagram Story to share the exciting news: she is #TheGoldenBachelorette! Fans were thrilled to hear this announcement.

Viewers of The Golden Bachelor will remember Joan from her time competing for Gerry's heart on the show that aired in fall 2023. Despite her connection with Gerry, Joan made the difficult decision to leave the competition to be there for her daughter, who had just become a new mom.

Gerry ended his season by getting engaged to Theresa Nist, and they got married in a televised ceremony in January. However, they announced their split three months later during an interview on Good Morning America. (We were the first to report that Gerry filed for divorce on the same day as the GMA interview.)

Scroll down to find out more about the first Golden Bachelorette:

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Disney/John Fleenor

Joan's Children

Joan has four children: Nicholas, Erica, Luke, and Allison. She shared on The Golden Bachelor how important her kids and grandkids are to her, and decided to prioritize them over pursuing a relationship with Gerry.

Was Joan Previously Married?

Joan shared in a confessional that her daughter recently gave birth in a very challenging delivery. She emphasized the importance of family and being a mom, stating that nothing is more important. Joan believes that even when children grow older, a mother's role is constant and vital.

Joan was married to John for 32 years. Unfortunately, he passed away in January 2021 after fighting pancreatic cancer.

Three years later, Joan took time to remember the anniversary of his passing by sharing her feelings in a heartfelt Instagram post.

Joan expressed, "Some days it feels like it just happened and I can’t catch my breath, still feeling the shock of it. Other days it feels like he’s been gone a lifetime, those days are worse because I’m afraid the memories are fading."

"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 … lucky kids because fun in his book was generally epic. I could go on for hours, you all know that though. Honestly, I think that’s how he would want to be remembered … by not forgetting him. Please keep telling the stories, don’t worry, they don’t make me sad … let’s be honest, most of them are funny! As the Greeks say, ‘May his memory be eternal.’"

What Is Joan’s Job?

Joan works in Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at a school in Bethesda, Maryland, per her LinkedIn.

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ABC/Craig Sjodin

Are Joan and Her Fellow ‘Golden Bachelor’ Contestants Friends?

Joan often posts pictures on social media with the other contestants from The Golden Bachelor. In April, Joan and many of these women appeared together on Celebrity Family Feud.

Joan's Reaction to Gerry and Theresa's Divorce

Joan never expected to be on Celebrity Family Feud, but yesterday she had the chance to meet Steve Harvey and compete to raise money for a charity. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and enjoyed the experience with her Golden Bachelor friends.

Joan shared her thoughts on Gerry and Theresa's divorce during an interview with CNN. She expressed her surprise at the news, as she had enjoyed following their relationship journey. Joan mentioned how she witnessed them falling in love and believed they were the perfect couple. She commended their willingness to fully commit to finding love and acknowledged that they both knew what true love felt like from their past experiences.

I admire them for trying and also for realizing when it wasn't working out. It's okay that they decided to end things, we should support them in their decision. Let's allow them to explore their path and listen to their hearts. Breaking up was the best choice for them.

Editor's P/S:

The announcement of Joan Vassos as the first Golden Bachelorette is a significant and exciting moment for the franchise. Joan's journey on The Golden Bachelor showcased her strength, vulnerability, and unwavering commitment to her family. Her decision to leave the show to support her daughter demonstrated her priorities and the importance