The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple are still together now, but there are signs the couple may have serious relationship struggles. In many ways, 61-year-old Joan and 60-year-old Chock are charting brand-new territory.The Golden Bachelorand the female-led version of the spin-off were the first dating shows focused on the love lives of seniors. Joan, a private school administrator from Maryland, made her television debut as a contestant in Gerry Turner’s season ofThe Golden Bachelorand was then cast asThe Golden Bachelorette.
Joan openedThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 bygreeting 24 singleGoldenmen, including Chock, an insurance executive from Kansas. After a dramatic season of highs and lows, Joan gave her final rose to Chock, and he proposed. TheyleftThe Bachelormansion as a happily engaged coupleand embarked on their new lives together. Though they seemed happy, entering into a committed relationship after meeting on reality television isn’t for the faint of heart. Joan and Chock recently rang in their first new year, but there are signs they won’t make it out of 2025 as a couple.
Joan & Chock Got Carried Away
They Wouldn’t Be The First
Joan and Chock aren’t the firstGoldencouple to come out ofTheBachelorspin-off.The Golden Bachelorseason 1ended with Gerry marrying 70-year-old Theresa Nist. Hopes were high for the septuagenarian couple, but hopes were dashed three months later when Gerry and Theresa announced the firstGolden Bachelordivorce. The failure of Gerry and Theresa’s marriage put a lot of pressure on Joan and Chock, whodidn’t want to damage the brand with another divorce. Joan and Chock are taking their time to get to know each other, and they may learn they’re not compatible.
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Joan and Chock seem much happier together than Gerry and Theresa ever were, but it’s easier to be happy early on in the relationship. For the first few weeks after going public with their relationship, Joan and Chock were carried awayon a whirlwind tour of television appearances, podcast interviews, and other public events. Then they spent their first holidays together, bringing their children together for the first time. Now that they’ve settled into the humdrum of daily life, they may finally have the space to decide if they’re right for each other.
Joan & Chock Aren’t Ready For Love
They’re Not Ready To Let Go Of The Past
Long before becoming a contestant onThe Golden Bachelorseason 1,Joan was married to John Vassos, who was her best friend and the love of her life. They were married for 32 years and had four children together, when he passed away in 2021. It wasn’t long before she agreed to appear in Gerry’s season, then went from there to leading her season with very little time in between. She’sbeen inTheBachelorfranchise for most of her time as a widow. She may love Chock, but it’s been very clear that her heart belongs to John.
Their shared sense of loss is one of the reasons that Joan and Chock bonded early on duringThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1.
Chock was also in deep mourning. In 2022, he had to bury Katherine Goree, his fiancée of nine years. During their firstThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 solo date,Chock told Joan it was the most devastating loss of his life. It wasn’t long before he agreed to appear on the show, and it just seemed like he wasn’t ready.
As if that wasn’t enough loss, Chock’s mother passed away while he was in Los Angeles filming the show. He rushed home to take care of his family but was back by the end of the same episode. Though it was an example of his deep devotion to Joan, Chockprobably needed more time to mourn his motherbefore he could give himself completely to the process. Joan and Chock appear to be struggling with enormous loss, and it’s unclear where their love story will fit into their lives.
Joan & Chock Have Family Drama
They Have Six Adult Children Between Them
Joan has four adult children, and Chock has two adult children of his own. After getting engaged duringThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 finale, Joan and Chock were determined to bring their families together. They’re both close to their families, soit was important for their children to be a part of the process. Joan hadChockand his children over for Thanksgiving in Maryland and shared the photos of the Vassos and Chapple holiday on Instagram.
Thanksgiving went so well that Chock then invited Joan and her children to his house in Kansas.
Joanand Chock posted their Christmas photos on Instagram, and theVassos and Chapples seemed to be coalescinginto one big, happy, modern family. Things seemed to be going well, butJoanposted an Instagram clip of her and Chock discussing their relationship with their followers. They discuss bringing their families together, whichJoan confesses has been a “little harder right now.“It’s great that Joan and Chock are so transparent about their relationship journey, as it may help others navigate the complexity of starting new relationships later in life.
Joan Never Wanted To Get Serious
Chock Changed Joan’s Mind
Soon after ABC announced that Joan would beThe Golden Bachelorette, Joan toldCNNshe had no intention of marrying anyone she met on the show. She explained being on the show wasn’t enough time to get to know someone, and she was determined to take things slowly. All of Joan’s reluctance went out the window once Chock got down on one knee duringThe Golden Bacheloretterose ceremony. She may have been unable to say no to Chock, but only time will tellif Joan and Chock’s relationship will last.
61 years old
Private school administrator
178K Instagram followers
60 years old
74.7K Instagram followers
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.
