Golden BacheloretteFinale Full Recap: Joan Vassos Is Engaged After Deciding She 'Found Love'

Mar. 15, 2025

Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos with finalists Guy (left) and Chock.Photo:Disney/Ricky Middlesworth (2); Disney/Brian Bowen Smith

Disney/Ricky Middlesworth (2); Disney/Brian Bowen Smith

After a season chock full of love, laughter and some tears,Joan Vassosfound herself withtwo guys leftgoing into the finale ofThe Golden Bachelorette.During the Nov. 13 finale, Joan, 61, decided between Chock Chapple and Guy Gansert after spending a night inthe Fantasy Suitewith each man. Joan had hoped to enjoy a camera-free night in the Fantasy Suites with Pascal Ibgui. However, he chose to end his journey before the overnight portion of their date, telling her that he didn’t feel a “spark” after they participated in a Tahitian bonding ceremony together.“I know what love is. I’ve experienced it, you’ve experienced it,” Pascal, 69, said to Joan in the Oct. 30 episode. “And I’m caring about you as a friend. But I’m not in love, you know, and I just can’t be there and it’s hurting me because we have a good time together.”Joan said atthe Men Tell All specialthat she saw a future with Pascal. “I pictured a life with you and I know that that Tahitian bonding ceremony was very uncomfortable for you,” she told the salon owner. “And I thought maybe in Fantasy Suites we could’ve figured out something in either direction, but you had already made up your mind.”The private school administrator teased “happy tears” ahead during herGolden Bachelorettefinale, which saw her reunite with her kids in Bora Bora. Joan introduced her family to Chock, but she broke up with Guy before he could meet them once she realized her feelings for Chock.Joan didn’t want to say “I love you” back to Chock, though, until proposal day. So when she and Chock reunited on the Bora Bora sand on the final day of her journey, Joan said “I love you” — and then she said “yes” when Chock asked her to marry him.Keep reading to find out what happened during the finale of the firstGolden Bacheloretteseason.(Note: the most recent updates appear at the top, so scroll all the way down to start from the beginning of the show.)

After a season chock full of love, laughter and some tears,Joan Vassosfound herself withtwo guys leftgoing into the finale ofThe Golden Bachelorette.

During the Nov. 13 finale, Joan, 61, decided between Chock Chapple and Guy Gansert after spending a night inthe Fantasy Suitewith each man. Joan had hoped to enjoy a camera-free night in the Fantasy Suites with Pascal Ibgui. However, he chose to end his journey before the overnight portion of their date, telling her that he didn’t feel a “spark” after they participated in a Tahitian bonding ceremony together.

“I know what love is. I’ve experienced it, you’ve experienced it,” Pascal, 69, said to Joan in the Oct. 30 episode. “And I’m caring about you as a friend. But I’m not in love, you know, and I just can’t be there and it’s hurting me because we have a good time together.”

Joan said atthe Men Tell All specialthat she saw a future with Pascal. “I pictured a life with you and I know that that Tahitian bonding ceremony was very uncomfortable for you,” she told the salon owner. “And I thought maybe in Fantasy Suites we could’ve figured out something in either direction, but you had already made up your mind.”

The private school administrator teased “happy tears” ahead during herGolden Bachelorettefinale, which saw her reunite with her kids in Bora Bora. Joan introduced her family to Chock, but she broke up with Guy before he could meet them once she realized her feelings for Chock.

Joan didn’t want to say “I love you” back to Chock, though, until proposal day. So when she and Chock reunited on the Bora Bora sand on the final day of her journey, Joan said “I love you” — and then she said “yes” when Chock asked her to marry him.

Keep reading to find out what happened during the finale of the firstGolden Bacheloretteseason.

(Note: the most recent updates appear at the top, so scroll all the way down to start from the beginning of the show.)

The Happy Couple Heads to the Happiest Place on EarthNovember 13, 2024 09:29 PM ESTCopy The Link To This Blog PostGolden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and Chock.Disney/Gilles MingassonJoan and Chock joined Jesse in the studio for their first time in public as an engaged couple. The former NFL star surprised Chock and Joan with a trip to Disney World for their two families.On proposal day, Joan told Chock that, “From our first date in Disneyland, I thought I saw a future with you,” referring to their first one-on-one. Now, they will get to live that future together with their families.

The Happy Couple Heads to the Happiest Place on Earth

November 13, 2024 09:29 PM EST

Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and Chock.Disney/Gilles Mingasson

Disney/Gilles Mingasson

Joan and Chock joined Jesse in the studio for their first time in public as an engaged couple. The former NFL star surprised Chock and Joan with a trip to Disney World for their two families.

On proposal day, Joan told Chock that, “From our first date in Disneyland, I thought I saw a future with you,” referring to their first one-on-one. Now, they will get to live that future together with their families.

Joan Says ‘Yes’ to ForeverNovember 13, 2024 09:16 PM ESTCopy The Link To This Blog PostChock entered proposal day not knowing that Guy went home. He told Jesse upon arriving to the engagement that he loved Joan, but Chock had some “self-doubt” since Joan hadn’t said “I love you” back to him.But when Chock showed up on the beach in Bora Bora on the last day of her journey, Joan returned the sentiment.“I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” Joan said to Chock. “I want to wake up next to you in the morning and I want to kiss you when I go to bed at night.“Chock reiterated that he loved Joan and told her that he had a question for her.“I’ve been waiting forever to do this,” Chock said before dropping to one knee and popping open aNeil Lanering box. “Joan, will you marry me?“Joan replied, “Of course I’ll marry you,” before giving Chock her final rose.Read more details of the proposalhere.

Joan Says ‘Yes’ to Forever

November 13, 2024 09:16 PM EST

Chock entered proposal day not knowing that Guy went home. He told Jesse upon arriving to the engagement that he loved Joan, but Chock had some “self-doubt” since Joan hadn’t said “I love you” back to him.

But when Chock showed up on the beach in Bora Bora on the last day of her journey, Joan returned the sentiment.

“I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” Joan said to Chock. “I want to wake up next to you in the morning and I want to kiss you when I go to bed at night.”

Chock reiterated that he loved Joan and told her that he had a question for her.

“I’ve been waiting forever to do this,” Chock said before dropping to one knee and popping open aNeil Lanering box. “Joan, will you marry me?”

Joan replied, “Of course I’ll marry you,” before giving Chock her final rose.

Read more details of the proposalhere.

Guy Questions Whether There Was ‘Something Missing’ with JoanNovember 13, 2024 09:06 PM ESTCopy The Link To This Blog PostGuy joined Jesse, 46, live in the studio and said it was “heartbreaking” to watch back his breakup with Joan.Then, Joan came out on stage and the two spoke for the first time since splitting in Bora Bora. Guy told Joan that everything he said on the show “came from the heart.““Was there something missing that I just didn’t really anticipate or I should have?” Guy asked her.“It comes down to being kind of a time thing,” Joan explained.Joan said she had a “really, really, really” hard time letting Guy go in the end. “In any other situation, I would have been with you because we would have more time,” she continued. “But there was a time element in this that I had to make a decision, and I had just gotten farther along.“The reality star made sure to let Guy know “it was absolutely nothing you did” to lead to the breakup, and she told him she hoped they can double date one day.

Guy Questions Whether There Was ‘Something Missing’ with Joan

November 13, 2024 09:06 PM EST

Guy joined Jesse, 46, live in the studio and said it was “heartbreaking” to watch back his breakup with Joan.

Then, Joan came out on stage and the two spoke for the first time since splitting in Bora Bora. Guy told Joan that everything he said on the show “came from the heart.”

“Was there something missing that I just didn’t really anticipate or I should have?” Guy asked her.

“It comes down to being kind of a time thing,” Joan explained.

Joan said she had a “really, really, really” hard time letting Guy go in the end. “In any other situation, I would have been with you because we would have more time,” she continued. “But there was a time element in this that I had to make a decision, and I had just gotten farther along.”

The reality star made sure to let Guy know “it was absolutely nothing you did” to lead to the breakup, and she told him she hoped they can double date one day.

Joan Loses 1 GuyNovember 13, 2024 08:54 PM ESTCopy The Link To This Blog PostGolden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and Guy.Disney/Gilles MingassonJoan’s date with Chock showed her what she really wanted. So before Guy could meet her family, she went to his hotel room to break things off.“We really had a connection and hearing that he loves me and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, I realized that I actually found love,” Joan told the cameras of Chock. “It actually happened. I know where my heart is at and I know what I have to do.“And then she proceeded to do just that. “I’m here to tell you that my heart belongs to somebody else,” Joan said to Guy, 66. “And I care about you so, so, so, so much and I know we talked about being seen, and I want you to know that I saw you at every rose ceremony, I saw you at every date. I care so much about you, I just … my heart belongs to somebody else now.“Joan added that, because she cared about Guy, she wanted to spare him meeting her kids.Guy said that he planned to propose and asked Joan, “There’s no changing your mind?“Joan replied, “I love you, but I love you in a different way.”

Joan Loses 1 Guy

November 13, 2024 08:54 PM EST

Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and Guy.Disney/Gilles Mingasson

Joan’s date with Chock showed her what she really wanted. So before Guy could meet her family, she went to his hotel room to break things off.

“We really had a connection and hearing that he loves me and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, I realized that I actually found love,” Joan told the cameras of Chock. “It actually happened. I know where my heart is at and I know what I have to do.”

And then she proceeded to do just that. “I’m here to tell you that my heart belongs to somebody else,” Joan said to Guy, 66. “And I care about you so, so, so, so much and I know we talked about being seen, and I want you to know that I saw you at every rose ceremony, I saw you at every date. I care so much about you, I just … my heart belongs to somebody else now.”

Joan added that, because she cared about Guy, she wanted to spare him meeting her kids.

Guy said that he planned to propose and asked Joan, “There’s no changing your mind?”

Joan replied, “I love you, but I love you in a different way.”

Joan Feels Like a ‘Different Person’ After Hearing the ‘L’ WordNovember 13, 2024 08:44 PM ESTCopy The Link To This Blog PostAfter what Chock deemed a “perfect” day with Joan and her family, the couple embarked on their last date before engagement day.They popped champagne and Chock told Joan he hoped he did a “good job” during her family visit. “You did a great job, actually,” Joan assured.Chock then gave Joan a gift: a heart keychain.“This gift is a symbol of my commitment to you and I would for us to have a place in New York City,” he said. “And I want us to do it together and to pick it out and make all the decisions together.““I literally can’t believe this,” Joan responded.Chock continued to explain his hopes for his future with Joan. “I want to marry you and I want to spend my life with you and I want you to know that,” he said. “I do love you.“Joan told the cameras that that marked the first time someone said “I love you” to her since her husband died. However, she didn’t want to say “I love you” back to Chock because she promised herself she wouldn’t say that to anyone until the end of the process.Still, “I feel like a different person,” Joan told the cameras. “I feel like I deserve love.”

Joan Feels Like a ‘Different Person’ After Hearing the ‘L’ Word

November 13, 2024 08:44 PM EST

After what Chock deemed a “perfect” day with Joan and her family, the couple embarked on their last date before engagement day.

They popped champagne and Chock told Joan he hoped he did a “good job” during her family visit. “You did a great job, actually,” Joan assured.

Chock then gave Joan a gift: a heart keychain.

“This gift is a symbol of my commitment to you and I would for us to have a place in New York City,” he said. “And I want us to do it together and to pick it out and make all the decisions together.”

“I literally can’t believe this,” Joan responded.

Chock continued to explain his hopes for his future with Joan. “I want to marry you and I want to spend my life with you and I want you to know that,” he said. “I do love you.”

Joan told the cameras that that marked the first time someone said “I love you” to her since her husband died. However, she didn’t want to say “I love you” back to Chock because she promised herself she wouldn’t say that to anyone until the end of the process.

Still, “I feel like a different person,” Joan told the cameras. “I feel like I deserve love.”

Joan’s Family Has ‘Extremely High Expectations’ for ChockNovember 13, 2024 08:34 PM ESTCopy The Link To This Blog PostGolden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and Chock.Disney/Gilles MingassonJoan worried that, despite her kids' approval, meeting Chock might be too much for them. “Actually seeing me with a person is far different,” she said.Chock told Joan’s kids that his daughter filled out hisGolden Bacheloretteapplication because she thought Joan would be the “perfect woman” for him — and since meeting her, he agreed.When Chock and Nick spoke privately, Joan’s son didn’t beat around the bush. “For whomever the guy would be that would replace my dad, I had extremely high expectations,” Nick said to Chock. “And yeah I mean, it’s … like this is difficult. This I tough.“Chock assured Nick that didn’t intend to replace John. “I’m not here to replace your dad in any way, shape or form,” the insurance executive, 60, told Nick. “I am not. And it’s just, that’s not my place. I’m just here to have a great life with your mom, love her and have adventures and just enjoy it ‘til the end.“Nick told Joan that he liked Chock and felt proud of her for going on this journey.“You tell us to be courageous, to take risks, to see you do those things and succeed in such a graceful, perfect way is so incredible,” Nick said to his mom. “We couldn’t be more proud to be your children.”

Joan’s Family Has ‘Extremely High Expectations’ for Chock

November 13, 2024 08:34 PM EST

Joan worried that, despite her kids’ approval, meeting Chock might be too much for them. “Actually seeing me with a person is far different,” she said.

Chock told Joan’s kids that his daughter filled out hisGolden Bacheloretteapplication because she thought Joan would be the “perfect woman” for him — and since meeting her, he agreed.

When Chock and Nick spoke privately, Joan’s son didn’t beat around the bush. “For whomever the guy would be that would replace my dad, I had extremely high expectations,” Nick said to Chock. “And yeah I mean, it’s … like this is difficult. This I tough.”

Chock assured Nick that didn’t intend to replace John. “I’m not here to replace your dad in any way, shape or form,” the insurance executive, 60, told Nick. “I am not. And it’s just, that’s not my place. I’m just here to have a great life with your mom, love her and have adventures and just enjoy it ‘til the end.”

Nick told Joan that he liked Chock and felt proud of her for going on this journey.

“You tell us to be courageous, to take risks, to see you do those things and succeed in such a graceful, perfect way is so incredible,” Nick said to his mom. “We couldn’t be more proud to be your children.”

Joan Gets Some Much-Needed Family Time

November 13, 2024 08:20 PM EST

“That struggle, it’s refreshing to hear that,” Nick said to Joan. “This shouldn’t be easy.”

November 13, 2024 08:13 PM EST

Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and ‘Golden Bachelor’ alum Nancy Hulkower.Disney/Gilles Mingasson

Joan debriefed with herGolden Bachelorbestie Nancy Hulkower, who joined her ahead of Fantasy Suites aboard Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze cruise ship. Nancy tried to tell Joan that she should focus on her remaining connections instead of harping on the breakup with Pascal.

“Now you can concentrate on Chock and Guy and get to know them even better,” Nancy said to Joan.

But Joan felt defeated. “I have like no confidence anymore,” she responded.

Nancy didn’t want Joan to stay in that negative headspace. “Don’t give power to Pascal,” she urged.

Joan tried to reframe her thinking. “I need to have faith that this ends with an engagement,” she told the cameras. “I need to continue to move forward.”

Joan Admits to Feeling ‘Hurt’ After Pascal’s ExitNovember 13, 2024 08:08 PM ESTCopy The Link To This Blog PostGolden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and Pascal.Gilles Mingasson/DisneyThe liveGolden Bachelorettekicked off with Joan reeling from the aftermath of Pascal’s departure.“When Pascal said that he didn’t love me, it hurt,” Joan admitted in an on-camera interview.Joan said that her walls “are up again” now that Pascal left. “It’s hard to be vulnerable again once you’ve been hurt,” she said.The mom of four also wondered if, after a 32-year marriage withher late husband John, she would find love again.“I was lucky once with John,” Joan said. “Some people are never lucky once, so why do I get to have it twice?”

Joan Admits to Feeling ‘Hurt’ After Pascal’s Exit

November 13, 2024 08:08 PM EST

Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and Pascal.Gilles Mingasson/Disney

Gilles Mingasson/Disney

The liveGolden Bachelorettekicked off with Joan reeling from the aftermath of Pascal’s departure.

“When Pascal said that he didn’t love me, it hurt,” Joan admitted in an on-camera interview.

Joan said that her walls “are up again” now that Pascal left. “It’s hard to be vulnerable again once you’ve been hurt,” she said.

The mom of four also wondered if, after a 32-year marriage withher late husband John, she would find love again.

“I was lucky once with John,” Joan said. “Some people are never lucky once, so why do I get to have it twice?”

Joan Makes Room for New LoveNovember 13, 2024 07:30 PM ESTCopy The Link To This Blog PostJoan Vassos on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.Disney/Gilles MingassonBefore she could hand out her final rose, Joan told PEOPLE that she had to come to terms with her unresolved feelings of grief after losing her late husband John.“I really struggled with that in the middle of the season,” theinaugural Golden Bacheloretteconfessed. “The Bachelorgives you access to psychiatrists that are actually at the mansion with you on the show, and so I did that. I actually had an appointment with them and we talked about what it would be, why it was so hard for me to move on in this journey and that I felt like I was still in love with John and I never would not be in love with him. And they’re like, ‘Well, that’s fine.’”She continued, “They said, ‘Picture it like you have a balloon in each hand. One is John and one is this other person that you have feelings for, and you don’t have to let go of this one to have this one also.'"“There’s room in your heart and in your memory for more than one person.’ And I just needed to hear that it was okay,” Joan recalled. “I didn’t have to not love John anymore, and I didn’t know that.”

Joan Makes Room for New Love

November 13, 2024 07:30 PM EST

Joan Vassos on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.Disney/Gilles Mingasson

Before she could hand out her final rose, Joan told PEOPLE that she had to come to terms with her unresolved feelings of grief after losing her late husband John.

“I really struggled with that in the middle of the season,” theinaugural Golden Bacheloretteconfessed. “The Bachelorgives you access to psychiatrists that are actually at the mansion with you on the show, and so I did that. I actually had an appointment with them and we talked about what it would be, why it was so hard for me to move on in this journey and that I felt like I was still in love with John and I never would not be in love with him. And they’re like, ‘Well, that’s fine.’”

She continued, “They said, ‘Picture it like you have a balloon in each hand. One is John and one is this other person that you have feelings for, and you don’t have to let go of this one to have this one also.'”

“There’s room in your heart and in your memory for more than one person.’ And I just needed to hear that it was okay,” Joan recalled. “I didn’t have to not love John anymore, and I didn’t know that.”

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source: people.com