With the inaugural season ofThe Golden Bachelorettenearing its highly anticipated conclusion, I’m convinced that Joan Vassos won’t walk away from the show as an engaged woman. The 61-year-old private school administrator is no stranger to looking for true love on national television. She made her television debut as a contestant onThe Golden Bachelor. The show broke ground as the first dating show centering around the love lives of people dating in their golden years. Joan was one of the 22 single older women who dated 72-year-old Gerry Turner.

Joan had to leave early due to a family emergency, but she was cast asThe Golden Bachelorette.During the season premiere, Joan greeted24 singleTheGolden Bachelorettemenwho’d vie for her roses. She whittled her options down to three men and is heading into her overnight dates. ThoughI feel confident Joan will find love with one of her remaining men, I remain unconvinced Joan will get engaged at the end of her season.

a montage of Gerry Turner from the golden bachelor in side by side images

Joan Has Said She’s Unsure If She’ll Get Engaged

She Wants More Time

The Golden Bachelorseason 1 ended with an engagement and then a wedding. Gerry gave his final rose to 70-year-old Theresa Nist, and they were married in a lavish nationally televised wedding. Though hopes were high for the septuagenarian couple,they announced their divorce after only three months of marriage. The disappointing love story puts a lot of pressure on Joan to find true love.

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Before the season started, Joan made it clear thatThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 would not end with her rushing into marriage. In May, she sat down for an interview withCNNand told them that she believes people should get to know each other better before rushing into marriage. Though I’m sad that this means we can forget about anotherGolden Bachelorwedding special, I’m glad that we won’t have to sit through another painful public divorce.

The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos crying with her and his husband behind her

Joan Expressed She’s Still Mourning The Loss Of Her Late Husband

She’s Not Ready To Get Married Again

Long before being cast asThe Golden Bachelorette,Joan had been married to the love of her life. Joan and John Vassos were married for 32 years and had four children together before he passed away in 2021. Joan talks a lot about her late husband, andI don’t think she’s over the loss yet. It had only been three years since he died, and during part of that time, she was competing inThe Golden Bachelorseason 1, which she started filming less than two years after his death.

Though it’s understandable that Joan doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life alone, I’m not convinced she’s not ready to commit to someone.

joan vassos up close looking sad and some cast members from the golden bachelorette behind her

On more than one occasion during the season, Joan has talked about how she feels like she’s cheating on her late husband. Though I understand that some of that is natural, the extent to which Joan talks about it seems to be a sign that she’s just not ready. That’s whyI can’t see Joan deciding to accept a marriage proposal, and I hope the show’s producers don’t pressure her into it in a cynical ratings grab.

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The Golden Bachelorette Official Poster

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The Golden Bachelorette

Cast

The Golden Bachelorette: This reality series offers one woman in her later years the opportunity to find love, as a group of seasoned men compete for her affection. Participants bring diverse romantic histories, seeking a meaningful connection and a chance to build a promising future together.