BALTIMORE — It’s never too late to discover love, and according to the Golden Bachelorette, her journey is just beginning.
Joan Vassos, a 61-year-old private school administrator from Rockville, Maryland, is stepping back into the world of dating as ABC’s first Golden Bachelorette.
“It symbolizes millions of individuals in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, who are in this second chapter of their lives and deserve to find love,” Vassos stated.
Vassos expressed her surprise at the number of people who reached out to her after appearing on Gerry’s season of the Golden Bachelor.
“As we age, there’s an expectation to take a back seat, to assume a supportive role. Being on the Golden Bachelor changed that perspective for me. Meeting the 21 other incredible women made me realize that they all deserve a second chance at life and love. If I believe that’s true for them, why shouldn’t it be for me?” Vassos shared.
After a few episodes, she chose to leave to support her family during her daughter’s struggle with postpartum depression.
A mother of four and grandmother of three, Vassos lost her husband John—whom she was married to for 32 years—to pancreatic cancer in January 2021.
“Before he passed, he gave me his blessing. Laying on the sofa, he called me over and told me he needed to discuss something important. He urged me to continue living, to find someone, and stated that I deserved love and a fulfilling life after he was gone,” Vassos recalled.
Vassos also shared her children’s reactions to her role as the first Golden Bachelorette.
“They found it a bit easier to accept the Golden Bachelorette compared to the Golden Bachelor, as the latter was uncharted territory. They definitely had strong feelings about me kissing men on TV and about participating in fantasy suites. Other than that, they were fine with it. I should probably give them a heads-up before I kiss anyone on TV and tell them to close their eyes,” Vassos laughed.
As for her ideal partner, Vassos disclosed, “I’m somewhat shy, so I’m looking for someone who can walk into a room and feel comfortable right away, someone with a sense of adventure and a readiness to travel. I really want a gentleman in my life, and the men featured this season seem to be great matches.”
Viewers can look forward to exciting dates at locations like Disneyland and Las Vegas.
“The Golden Bachelorette” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on WMAR.