The Golden Bachelorette introduces The Golden Bachelor's Joan Vassos as the lead

However, she had to leave the show during Week 3 to be with her daughter after she gave birth. Vassos had hoped to return if her daughter's situation improved, but unfortunately, it didn't work out. Vassos has had a beautiful family life with her husband of 32 years, John. Sadly, he passed away in January 2021 due to pancreatic cancer.


Joan shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing how much she cherished her husband and how he was always the fun parent for their four children. She described him as someone who knew how to make every moment epic and filled with joy. The decision to have a female-led version of the popular senior dating show, The Golden Bachelor, was made after it became the top new unscripted series among adults aged 18-49.


ABC also revealed that The Golden Bachelorette will have longer episodes, running for an hour and a half on Wednesdays this fall. It will air at 8 p.m. ET, right before Abbott Elementary. It's exciting to see the show expanding and giving Joan Vassos the opportunity to find love. I can't wait to see what unfolds in this new chapter of The Golden Bachelorette!