Long before appearing in a Bachelor franchise show, The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos lived a very different life. The 63-year-old private school administrator from Maryland was happily married with four children. The last thing she expected to do in her 60s was re-enter the dating pool, but life has a way of upending the best laid plans.
Joan made her television debut as one of 22 single Golden women of The Golden Bachelor season 1. When things didn’t work out between Joan and 72-year-old Gerry Turner, she was cast as the Bachelor spin-off’s first female lead. Joan kicked off The Golden Bachelorette season 1 by meeting her own 24 single Golden men, including 60-year-old Chock. Throughout the journey, Joan’s late husband, John Vassos, hadn’t been far from her mind.
Joan & John Were Best Friends
32 Happy Years Together
Long before joining the cast of The Golden Bachelor season 1, Joan was married to John for 32 happy years, and they were best friends. Joan described John as a gregarious and sociable type of person whom everyone liked. She had expected to grow old with him, and was in denial when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She thought he’d be the only person to ever survive the fatal cancer.
Joan’s Promise To John Explained
“You Were A Wonderful Wife”
During a recent podcast episode, Joan talked to Kathy Swarts from The Golden Bachelor season 1. In the clip from Rogue Energy Podcast, which was posted to Instagram, Joan tells the heartbreaking story of the deathbed promise she made to John. Before he passed away, he sat Joan down and told her, “You were a wonderful wife. I want you to go on living. I want you to find somebody else.” Joan went on to say it was the best gift he could have given her.
Will Joan Keep Her Promise?
So Far, So Good
Having to leave The Golden Bachelor early due to a family emergency turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to Joan. She was cast in the spin-off and met Chock. The couple got engaged during The Golden Bachelorette season 1 finale, and they’ve been blissfully happy ever since. So far, The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos has dutifully kept the promise she made to her beloved late husband.