Joan Vassos, the first-ever Golden Bachelorette, has a clear vision for how to approach relationships, especially when it comes to managing distance. While many viewers were hopeful for a fairy-tale ending similar to Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner’s marriage to Theresa Nist, Joan is determined not to repeat the same challenges that led to Gerry and Theresa’s breakup.
Gerry and Theresa’s relationship famously ended after just three months, reportedly because they couldn’t agree on where to live. The couple had differing views on uprooting their lives, with both having strong family ties and established communities. Joan is keen to avoid this fate, saying that she has no plans to leave her life in Maryland, where she is deeply connected to her children, grandchildren, and her 92-year-old mother. “I’m not leaving it. I would never leave them,” Joan shares. “I feel like a [man] should be the same way. I’m hoping that he would have ties to his community and his family and friends that he wouldn’t want to leave.”
So, what’s Joan’s solution for managing distance in a relationship? Long-distance dating. “At this age, when you’re kind of in the retirement years, or getting close to them, it’s a little bit easier,” she says. “As long as you have the time and resources, you make it happen.” Joan is open to visiting her partner or having him visit her, suggesting that it could even be a fun way to spend time together. “If I had something really fun happening in Rockville [Maryland], where I live, come and spend a couple of weeks with me. And if you have something great going on where you are, then I’ll come to you.”
Though Joan is nearing retirement, she is still active in her career as a private school administrator, and she’s not yet ready to leave that behind. “I’m still having a lot of fun with it,” Joan says, referring to her ongoing professional and personal projects, including attending Broadway shows and participating in Dancing with the Stars. While she plans to take some time away from the public spotlight, she’s not ready to make any final retirement decisions just yet.
Joan’s approach to relationships and life after The Golden Bachelorette shows that, while she’s committed to her family and career, she’s also open to finding new ways to make love work—no matter the distance.
