Who is Joan Vassos? Meet the first-ever ‘Golden Bachelorette’

Joan Vassos, 61, is making history as the first-ever lead of “The Golden Bachelorette,” which premieres on ABC on Sept. 18.

She quickly became a fan-favorite when she competed for Gerry Turner’s heart on “The Golden Bachelor” last year. However, her quest for love ended prematurely when she exited the show only three weeks into filming to focus on her daughter, who had just given birth.

Vassos said she was “so excited” to have the opportunity to look for love on “The Golden Bachelorette” when her casting was announced in May and has since revealed what exactly she desires in a man.

Joan Vassos, 61, is the first-ever Golden Bachelorette. ABC/Ricky Middlesworth Her season of “The Golden Bachelorette” debuts on Sept. 18, 2024. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com

Read on to learn more about Vassos and what type of person could steal her heart on “The Golden Bachelorette.”

She is a mother of four and grandmother of three

Vassos, who is from Rockville, Md., welcomed four children with her late husband, John Vassos: Allison, Nicholas, Erica and Luke.

The reality star has proven time and time again that being a mother is her top priority.

Vassos has four kids with her late husband, John: Allison, Nicholas, Erica and Luke. Instagram/joan_vassos Joan is also grandmother to three little ones. Facebook / Erica Vassos

After self-eliminating from “The Golden Bachelor,” she posted on her Instagram Story to thank fans for their concern and said it was a “privilege to be a mom to four amazing kids.”

She told TV Insider in September 2024 that her daughters sweetly gifted her a digital picture frame before filming for her season commenced so she could see updated photos of her family, which also includes three grandchildren, according to her ABC profile.

“I would come home every night from filming tired. My little frame would be sending me the grandbabies on the Fourth of July or at the swimming pool. It was the greatest,” she recalled.

She was married for 32 years

Joan was married to John for 32 years. Facebook / Nicholas Vassos John died in January 2021 from pancreatic cancer. Facebook / Joan Vassos

Joan was married for 32 years until her husband, John, died in January 2021 from pancreatic cancer.

In a touching Instagram post from January 2024, she described John as someone who “always” made her feel “safe and cherished.”

During a September 2024 chat with People, Joan said she never fully mourned the loss of her husband because she was “in charge of being strong.”

Joan said John was someone who “always” made her feel “safe and cherished” in a touching Instagram post commemorating his death in January 2024. John gave Joan his blessing to find love again before he died. Facebook / Nicholas Vassos

She also said she felt “really guilty” for having feelings for Turner while they were taping his “Golden Bachelor” season.

“I almost felt like I was cheating on John, which is crazy because he’s passed away,” she said.

However, she confirmed John gave her his blessing to fall in love again before he died.

She ended her relationship with Turner for her daughter

Joan competed on the debut season of “The Golden Bachelor.” ABC via Getty Images She left three weeks into filming to take care of her daughter, who was experiencing postpartum depression. ABC via Getty Images

Joan’s daughter gave birth to her first child 15 days before she left to film “The Golden Bachelor.”

When the mom of four learned her daughter was struggling with postpartum depression following the difficult birth, she knew she needed to be by her side.

“My family will always be first,” she told Turner as she broke the news to him that she would be departing the show. “Once you become a mom, you’re always a mom even when your kids are older. Nothing is more important.”

However, she didn’t plan on staying away for long and wanted to continue pursuing a relationship with the bachelor after they connected deeply over losing their spouses.

She and Gerry Turner bonded on his season over the loss of their respective partners. ABC via Getty Images Joan revealed in November 2023 that she wanted to return to “The Golden Bachelor” but timing with her daughter did not work in her favor. Disney

“I got home, and my plan was to give [my daughter] some care — I needed to get her some mental health care,” she told TheWrap in November 2023.

“I was going to come back, maybe four or five days after I left,” she continued. “And then my daughter wasn’t good again.”

“We just hadn’t made it far enough — I hadn’t gotten her a doctor yet; I had calls in but it just couldn’t unfold quick enough.”

She is a school administrator

Joan is a school administrator in her home state of Maryland. ABC via Getty Images She graduated from the University of Maryland in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Disney

Joan began a job in alumni relations at the Landon School in her home state of Maryland in 2021, per her LinkedIn.

Before that, she worked as an interior designer and a special projects consultant.

Joan is a college graduate, earning her bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Maryland in 1985.

She is looking for a gentleman

Joan told the Wall Street Journal in September 2024 that she is looking for a gentleman who will help her with grocery shopping and yard work. Disney She said she will not accept a man who is rude to waitstaff. Disney

Joan wants a true gentleman, which includes someone who will help with yard work and grocery shopping.

“I grew up with a father that was the ultimate gentleman,” she told the Wall Street Journal in September 2024.

“He never let my mom carry the heavy groceries in. He always hopped up when somebody walked in the room. He always opened doors.”

She also said her biggest turnoff is men who are rude to waitstaff, as she was a waitress in college.

She and Turner are still pals

Joan confirmed in June 2024 that she and Turner are “close” friends. ABC She also complimented him for being so “open and vulnerable” with her while they were filming his season. MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Joan revealed in June 2024 that she and Turner are “very, very good friend[s]” after having such an instant connection on his season of “The Golden Bachelor.”

“He did this so well,” she gushed to People about his time as the first Golden Bachelor.

“He kind of created the road map that we have now. There’s no rulebook, and he kind of wrote it a little bit.”

He also praised him as being “very open and vulnerable.”

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She got advice from Bachelor Nation members ahead of filming

Joan revealed Turner shared helpful advice before she started filming “The Golden Bachelorette.”

“He said, ‘Don’t invest in somebody too early,'” she remembered while speaking to Business Insider in September 2024.

Joan said Turner advised her to date each contestant “like they’re the only person there” before she began filming. Disney Joan hopes to find someone who enjoys the beach and time with family. Disney

He also told her to “let the story unfold with each and every person, date them like they’re the only person there.”

Plus, Jenn Tran imparted some of her wisdom to Joan via an interview with Page Six in September 2024.

Focusing on what it’s like to watch the season back, Tran advised Joan to lean on her family and friends and to stay off social media as much as possible.