From a 25-year marriage to raising two sons and rediscovering love, here’s what we know about The Golden Bachelor season 2’s Mel Owens’ life.
The Golden Bachelor is back, and yes, we’re swooning already. After the massive success of its debut season (hello, wholesome romance and heartstring-tugging moments), ABC’s feel-good spinoff is returning for another round of love in the golden years. And leading the charge this time? None other than Mel Owens, a retired NFL linebacker turned attorney who’s ready to trade touchdowns for true love.
The first season sets the bar high, with Gerry Turner capturing hearts across the nation as the show’s charming 72-year-old leading man. Viewers fell in love with the idea that romance doesn’t have an expiration date, and Season 2 promises to bring that same warmth, laughter, and maybe even a few tearjerkers.
Mel Owens brings a unique energy to the role. He is cool, accomplished, and clearly opens to a new chapter. While we won’t spill all the tea just yet, let’s just say this former athlete has more than a few layers to unpack. Whether you’re here for the feel-good moments or just along for the romantic ride, get ready. This season is shaping up to be golden in more ways than one.
So grab your wine, gather your group chat, and get ready to meet your new Golden Bachelor.
Who is Mel Owens?
Before stepping into the national spotlight as The Golden Bachelor Season 2 lead, Mel Owens had already lived multiple lives and made major moves in every single one. Born in Detroit and raised with a competitive spirit, Mel’s first chapter began on the football field. He played college ball at the University of Michigan, where his skills and smarts earned him a spot in the 1981 NFL Draft. He was picked up by the Los Angeles Rams and went on to spend eight seasons as a linebacker, becoming a key part of the team’s defense during the ’80s.
But retirement didn’t mean slowing down for Mel. Instead of riding off into the sunset with his football fame, he hit the books. Mel earned his law degree and transitioned into a successful legal career, specializing in sports and employment law. Today, he’s a partner at LBO Law in Newport Beach, where he continues to support and advocate for athletes, this time from the courtroom, not the field. Talk about a glow-up.
On April 22, ABC officially announced that Mel Owens will be our next Golden Bachelor, ready to open his heart and find love among a cast of bold, beautiful women aged 60 and up. The next day, during Disney’s Get Real event, host Jesse Palmer asked Owens how he felt about it all. He had a simple response: “Great.”
“It’s been 24 hours of craziness,” Owens added with a smile, revealing that he had just learned he got the role the day before.
While he’s kept his personal life relatively low-key, Owens shared through ABC that he’s now looking to rediscover a love “rooted in the simple joys of companionship, sharing life’s everyday moments, making plans for the future, and growing stronger together as a couple.”
From pro athlete to powerhouse attorney to potential TV heartthrob, Mel Owens is clearly ready for his next big play.
Mel Owens’ family life: Looking for the next chapterBehind Mel Owens’ impressive career and cool confidence is a story shaped by love, loss, and deep devotion to family. While his public resume includes NFL stardom and a successful legal career, his personal life has had its share of twists, and his ex-wife, Fabiana Owens, and their two sons have been at the heart of it all.
Mel and Fabiana Owens shared a marriage that spanned 25 years, an entire chapter filled with growth, change, and family milestones. But like many long-term relationships, theirs came to an end. In February 2020, the couple officially filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. It was a deeply personal decision that marked the close of a significant era in Mel’s life.
What makes their story even more unique is the age difference between them. According to court documents, Owens is 19 years older than Fabiana. While nearly two decades apart in age, the couple managed to build a shared life grounded in love and mutual commitment. Over the years, they raised two sons together and created a dynamic family that Owens fully embraced.
The divorce, along with the passing of his father, marks a major turning point. Instead of letting it break him, Owens redirected his focus completely to his boys. He coached their sports teams, showed up for every game and milestone, and embraced his role as a full-time dad. Palmer told US Weekly, “I had a chance to visit with him and his kids yesterday, and it’s really a unique and special bond to watch.”
According to ABC’s press release, he “channeled his energy into being the best father he could be,” prioritizing parenthood with heart and humility. Now, with his sons grown and thriving, Owens is ready to open a new chapter, one rooted in the everyday joys of companionship.
Host Palmer also offered a personal take on Owens during the Golden Bachelor reveal, noting that he’s faced “some hills and valleys in his personal life.” But what makes him stand out is his perspective. “He’s not looking for anything extravagant,” she added. “He misses the simple, everyday moments, just having someone to share life with.”
When is ‘The Golden Bachelor’ Season 2 releasing?
Get ready, rose lovers, The Golden Bachelor is officially returning for Season 2, and it’s already shaping up to be another must-watch moment in reality TV. While ABC hasn’t dropped an exact release date just yet, the new season is expected to premiere in Fall 2025, following in the footsteps of its wildly successful debut.
Season 1, which introduced us to the charming Gerry Turner, was a total game-changer. It pulled in over 10 million viewers per episode across platforms within just 35 days, proving that love stories later in life are just as captivating (and maybe even more swoon-worthy) than the usual Bachelor drama. With numbers like that, it’s no surprise expectations for the next season are sky-high.
The format remains the same: new episodes will air weekly on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu, which is perfect for catching up if you miss a Monday night. While details about the contestants and exact premiere date are still under wraps, one thing is for sure: Bachelor Nation is buzzing, and Fall 2025 can’t come fast enough. Get your wine glasses ready because golden hour is coming back.
