In the stunning beachside finale of The Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos has found her second chance at love. The first-ever Golden Bachelorette concluded her journey by accepting a proposal from insurance executive Chock Chapple, marking a heartwarming end to ABC's groundbreaking series.
Vassos, a school administrator and mother of four who lost her husband to pancreatic cancer in 2021, captured viewers' hearts as she navigated her way through grief to find love again.
The Golden Bachelorette finale, which aired Wednesday night, showcased not just a proposal but a testament to the possibility of finding love at any age.
Chapple, who emerged as an early favorite after receiving the first one-on-one date at Disneyland, proved that even unexpected challenges – like temporarily leaving the show due to his mother's passing – couldn't derail true love.
The Golden Bachelorette final two and their journey
The path to the final rose wasn't without its dramatic turns. The finale began with an unexpected twist when second runner-up Pascal Ibgui chose to eliminate himself, leaving Chock Chapple and ER doctor Guy Gansert as the final contenders.
Both men faced the crucial step of meeting Vassos' family, but it was Chapple who made the strongest impression, boldly declaring his love for Joan during their final date. And although she did not utter back those fated words to him, it was then that Vassos made up her mind that she was meant to be with Chock Chapple.
While Gansert's "slow burn" approach had carried him to the finale, Vassos ultimately followed her heart, making the difficult decision to end things with him before their scheduled final date.
In an emotional scene at his Bora Bora bungalow, she delivered the news, acknowledging their deep connection but confirming her heart belonged elsewhere.
She said, to a teary-eyed Gansert,
“I love you, but I love you in a different way.”
The moment we’ve all been waiting for, and what came next
The romantic culmination of The Golden Bachelorette took place on a Tahitian beach, where Chapple got down on one knee and Vassos finally returned those three magic words: "I love you." The couple sealed their commitment with a modern touch, FaceTiming Vassos' mother to share their joyous news.
During the live After the Final Rose segment, the newly engaged pair radiated happiness, finally free to display their relationship publicly. Vassos used the platform to encourage others to remain open to love, regardless of age or past experiences, delivering a powerful message about second chances.
What's next for the couple (and the runner-up)
For Vassos and Chapple, the future beyond The Golden Bachelorette looks bright as they begin merging their lives and families. Their relationship, which began under the unusual circumstances of reality TV, has already weathered significant challenges – from Chapple's temporary departure to handle family matters to the pressures of keeping their engagement secret during the show's airing.
As for runner-up Gansert, he shared a cordial reunion with Vassos during 'After the Final Rose', where they discussed their journey with mutual respect. Vassos even suggested future double dates, indicating a mature approach to maintaining a friendship.
The future of the franchise
The success of The Golden Bachelorette has further cemented ABC's commitment to age-inclusive dating shows.
The network is already looking ahead, with Grant Ellis' season of The Bachelor set to premiere on January 27, marking the franchise's 29th season. Additionally, fans can look forward to Bachelor in Paradise Season 10, scheduled for 2025. The Golden series has proven that love stories aren't exclusive to twenty-somethings, opening up new possibilities for reality dating television.
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Joan Vassos chooses Chock Chapple, making him the winner of The Golden Bachelorette.
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