At 72, Kathy Swarts is not your typical reality TV contestant. While many viewers remember her sharp wit and unforgettable “ZIP IT!” catchphrase from The Golden Bachelor, there’s far more to Kathy than a few dramatic moments on screen. She’s a woman who embodies resilience, reinvention, and the quiet strength of a life well-lived.
A Life of Purpose and Passion
Born in 1953, Kathy spent most of her professional career as an educational consultant in Austin, Texas. Her work was focused on helping students navigate the complex world of college admissions, a job that required not only intellect and patience but also empathy—a quality that still shines through in her interactions today.
But retirement hasn’t slowed her down. Kathy walks five miles a day, reads voraciously (with a goal of 50 books a year), and finds joy in kayaking, hiking, and even skiing. Her days are filled with movement, mindfulness, and meaning.
Love and Loss
Kathy was married to Daryl Swarts, a former U.S. Navy lieutenant and investment banker, for 46 years before his passing in 2019. Their marriage was a true partnership, built on shared values and mutual respect. Together, they raised three children—Douglas, Kyle, and Kaitlin—and welcomed grandchildren into their lives.
Daryl’s death left a void, but Kathy found strength in honoring his legacy by continuing to live with intention and gratitude. She speaks often about how love doesn’t end with loss—it simply transforms.
From Grief to Growth
When Kathy decided to join The Golden Bachelor, it wasn’t for fame or attention—it was an act of courage. For her, the show was a chance to step outside her comfort zone and rediscover joy in unexpected places. “I didn’t come here to play games,” she said early in the season—and she meant it.
Although she didn’t make it to the final rose, Kathy walked away with something arguably more valuable: renewed confidence, new friendships, and a national platform to champion aging with pride.
The Golden Hour and New Adventures
In 2024, Kathy teamed up with fellow contestant Susan Noles to launch Bachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hour, a podcast that candidly explores dating, aging, and womanhood after 60. With warmth and wit, the duo gives voice to a demographic too often overlooked in mainstream media.
She also surprised many fans when she joined The Golden Wedding special not as a guest, but as a red-carpet correspondent and even a companion to Theresa Nist on a wedding dress shopping trip. The moment symbolized forgiveness, grace, and the quiet power of choosing connection over conflict.
A Life Lived Out Loud
Kathy’s Instagram (@kbswarts) is a vibrant window into her life—full of family photos, fitness updates, and glimpses into her ongoing journey of self-discovery. She’s proof that aging doesn’t mean fading away; it can be a bold, colorful continuation of everything you’ve always been—just wiser, stronger, and more unapologetically yourself.
Kathy Swarts may have entered the spotlight late in life, but she’s used it to shine light on a powerful truth: that life after 70 isn’t a winding down—it’s a second act. And for Kathy, it’s turning out to be one hell of a show.
