The highly anticipated finale of The Golden Bachelor Season 2 is set for Wednesday, January 12, 2025, leaving viewers anxious to see if Mel Owens, the 66-year-old former NFL star, will conclude his journey with an engagement or an unexpected twist. As he narrows down his options to two finalists, Cindy Cullers and Peg Munson, a spotlight has also been cast on Mel’s past marriage and the ongoing financial disputes with his ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel Owens.
Mel Owens, who enjoyed a successful career playing for the Los Angeles Rams, has recently faced online scrutiny regarding his divorce from Fabiana, whom he married in 2002. In documents obtained by media outlets, it has been revealed that Mel allegedly owes close to $980,000 from their divorce settlement, having only paid $40,000 so far. Fabiana, who has voiced her grievances, stated, “Mel has flagrantly violated the clear and unambiguous terms of the Judgment.”
The legal documents indicate that interest on this unpaid amount is accumulating at approximately $257.53 per day. Additionally, Fabiana has requested an extra $25,000 in attorney fees, and the filings claim that Mel is behind on mortgage payments as well as child and spousal support — despite earning around $20,000 monthly in retirement income and profiting from his participation in The Golden Bachelor.
Before the divorce, the couple had two sons, Lucas and Andre, both of whom show interest in baseball. Fabiana, who is 20 years younger than Mel, boasts a thriving career in hospitality and lifestyle management, currently serving as the Director of Experiences at Preferred Hotels and Resorts in California. She also practices Reiki and Theta Healing, focusing on wellness and energy balance.
The couple’s divorce was filed in February 2020 and the case remained unresolved for nearly five years. The eventual judgment in December 2024 mandated that Mel make a substantial equalization payment rather than ongoing spousal support, a condition to which Fabiana agreed. However, court filings indicate that most of the payment remains unresolved.
As the finale approaches, the intrigue surrounding Mel Owens’ personal life adds an unexpected layer to the show, leaving fans curious about whether this controversy will affect his romantic pursuits on television. Will Mel’s chance at love prevail, or will the shadows of his past weigh him down? The upcoming episode promises to be a cliffhanger, merging both romance and legal drama.