It’s official—Joan Vassos is the first-ever Golden Bachelorette! The news was first announced on May 14 when ABC posted a clip of Joan walking through a hallway in a sequined gold dress with a gold rose in hand. “The secret is out!” Joan wrote on her Instagram Stories, where she shared ABC’s official announcement. “I’m honored to be #TheGoldenBachelorette.”
ICYMI, Joan was one of Gerry Turner’s contestants on the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor. She made the top 12 before her daughter faced a medical emergency, which prompted her to leave prematurely during the third week of the competition. Now, it’s Joan’s turn for a second chance at love thanks to Bachelor Nation. Here’s everything you need to know about the first-ever Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos!
Joan is a school administrator from Rockland, Maryland
According to her LinkedIn profile, Joan works in Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at a school in Bethesda, Maryland.
She has 4 kids and 2 grandkids
Joan has two grandkids and four grown kids—Allison, Nicholas, Erica, and Luke. She self-eliminated during week 3 of The Golden Bachelor after one of her daughters had an abnormal experience giving birth.
“My daughter just had a baby and it wasn’t a normal, you know, everyday delivery, at all. Things go wrong. And even if everything went right, you need your mom,” Joan revealed in a confessional interview. “My family will always be first. Once you become a mom, you’re always a mom even when your kids are older. Nothing is more important.”
Joan was married for 32 years
Gerry Turner gave love a second chance on The Golden Bachelor after losing his wife, and Joan comes from a similar background. She lost her husband of 32 years, John, to pancreatic cancer in 2021 and recently penned an emotional Instagram caption reflecting on their life together. “Some days it seems 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,” Joan wrote.
She added, “For years I’ve tried to think of how to memorialize him, but nothing seems quite right. Plant a tree, put his name on the back of a bench…nope, I’d have to name the tallest building in the world to do him justice. Every floor would stand for something kind he did for someone, the good deeds are too many to even attempt to mention.”
She loves dancing, cooking, and her dog
According to ABC, Joan “finds solace in the music of Elton John, spending time with her dog, and cooking.”
ABC’s bio writer provided more info on Joan with her Golden Bachelor fun facts (truly, the gift that keeps on giving):
Joan loves dancing after a couple glasses of wine.
Joan enjoys historical museums.
Joan’s favorite food is a big, juicy burger!
Same, Joan, same.
