ABC’s first Golden Bachelorette is from right here in Maryland

BALTIMORE — It is by no means too late to seek out love, the truth is the Golden Bachelorette says her love story is simply starting.

Joan Vassos is a 61-year-old non-public college administrator from Rockville, Maryland. She’s diving again into the relationship pool as ABC’s first Golden Bachelorette.

“It represents thousands and thousands of individuals which can be of their 50s and 60s and 70s and 80s, which can be on this second half of their life that deserve to seek out love,” stated Vassos.

Vassos shares that she was shocked by how many individuals reached out to her after showing on Gerry’s season of the Golden Bachelor.

“As you grow old, you are anticipated to take a again seat, that you just’re presupposed to now be in a help mode. Being on the Golden Bachelor really cured me of that feeling. I went to that home and I met these 21 different wonderful ladies, and once I talked to them, I assumed, effectively in fact you deserve a second probability at life and also you deserve love. And why would I believe that was true for them and never for myself,” stated Vassos.

After just a few episodes, Vassos left to be with household, sharing that her daughter was coping with postpartum melancholy.

Vassos is a mother of 4 and grandmother of three. Her husband John, whom she was married to for 32 years, died in January 2021 of pancreatic most cancers.

“Proper earlier than he handed away, he gave me his blessing. He referred to as me over. He was laying on the couch. He wasn’t actually capable of get up anymore. He stated, I would like to speak to you about one thing essential. I do not need you to cease residing. I need you to seek out any individual. You need to have love and to reside your life, a full life after I am gone,” stated Vassos.

Vassos shares what her youngsters take into consideration their mother being the primary Golden Bachelorette.

“It was slightly simpler for them to simply accept Golden Bachelorette than it was to simply accept Golden Bachelor, as a result of Golden Bachelor was unexplored territory. They did actually have robust opinions about me kissing males on TV and about fantasy suites. So apart from that, they have been okay with it. I believe I must warn them earlier than I kiss anyone on TV, that they need to shut their eyes,” stated Vassos.

So who will get the golden rose? Vassos dishes on her sort of man.

“I’m slightly on the shyer aspect, so I really like having that person who walks in a room and feels snug instantly, in search of any individual that has a way of journey, able to journey. I actually desire a gentleman in my life. The boys on this season, they have been actually good matches,” stated Vassos.

Vassos provides that viewers can count on thrilling dates to locations like Disneyland and Las Vegas.

“The Golden Bachelorette” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on WMAR.