'The Golden Bachelorette’ star Joan Vassos dishes on her ‘ideal man’ who doesn’t replace her ex husband
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Joan Vassos, the star of ABC's 'The Golden Bachelorette' has opened up about her vision of the ideal partner. In a new promo for the show, Vassos, a 61-year-old school administrator from Rockland, Maryland, talks about the qualities she values most in a man.
She explains, “I’m very picky about a man being a gentleman. Somebody with a big heart, somebody who is generous, and also somebody who is humble.”
Reflecting on her late husband John, who passed away in 2021 after 32 years of marriage, Vassos says, “I’m not here to replace Dad. I just want our family to be whole again.” This heartfelt sentiment revealed her desire for a partner who respects her past while helping her build a fulfilling future.
'The Golden Bachelorette' premieres on September 18 and follows Vassos as she seeks romance and companionship among senior men, bringing a fresh and heartfelt twist to the beloved reality TV franchise.
How did Joan Vassos husband John Vassos die?
Joan Vassos's husband, John Vassos, passed away in 2021 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 59 years old at the time of his death. John and Joan had been married for over 30 years, sharing a long and loving relationship. His illness and eventual passing deeply affected Joan and her family, leading to significant changes in their lives.
In an emotional Instagram post, Joan reflected on their shared journey, expressing how on some days, it feels as if she just lost him, while on others, it seems like he has been gone forever. She admitted to fearing that her memories of him were slowly fading away.
"For years, I’ve tried to think of how to memorialize him, but nothing seems quite right. Plant a tree, put his name on the back of a bench...nope, I’d have to name the tallest building in the world to do him justice. Every floor would stand for something kind he did for someone, the good deeds are too many to even attempt to mention," she said.
Joan Vassos says she doesn't want to spend her life alone
Joan Vassos recently opened up about her decision to join 'The Golden Bachelor'. After her husband of 32 years passed away, Vassos felt the weight of loneliness and the challenge of reentering the dating scene.
In her first interview with CNN, Vassos recalled the pivotal moment when she decided to apply for the show. She was at a restaurant with a friend, feeling overwhelmed by the couples around her and the realization that most people her age were married. She expressed her feelings, saying, “I did not want to spend my life alone, so I knew that I had to take action, but my heart wasn’t there at all.”
That night, upon returning home, Vassos saw a casting call on TV for a new reality series about finding love later in life. Feeling as if it was a sign, she decided to take the plunge. “I was like, ‘The universe is talking to me,’” Vassos said. Her journey on 'The Golden Bachelor' was marked by forming an early connection with 72-year-old widower Gerry Turner. However, Vassos made the difficult decision to leave the show to be with her family. Now, she has been selected to star in the first season of 'The Golden Bachelorette', where she will date men in their fifties through seventies, hoping to find love once again.
