Who is the 'Golden Bachelorette'? Meet Joan Vassos. Here's what she's looking for.

ABC has named its first “Golden Bachelorette” and it's not who many expected it to be.

Joan Vassos has been announced as the leading lady for Season 1 of “The Golden Bachelorette.”

Following the first season of “The Golden Bachelor” fan favorites for the Golden Bachelorette role included Susan Noles, Faith Martin, Leslie Fhima and Vassos. However, many viewers thought one of the women who appeared in episodes of Joey Graziadei’s season of “The Bachelor” 2024 would ultimately become the lead.

Noles, April Kirkwood, Kathy Swarts and Nancy Hulkower were in Episode 3 of "The Bachelor" as judges for Joey’s Mrs. Right group date. Fhima, Noles and Sandra Mason appeared in Episode 9 to advise the final three women ahead of their overnight dates.

The frontrunner to be named the Golden Bachelorette appeared to be Fhima, who was Gerry Turner’s runner-up and was heartbroken she wasn't chosen.

The first season of “The Golden Bachelor” ended with Turner and Theresa Nist engaged. They got married and then divorced all within a few months.

Let’s hope Joan Vassos has better luck. Here's what to know about the first “Golden Bachelorette.”

Who is the ‘Golden Bachelorette’?

In an Instagram video posted on Tuesday, May 14, by @goldenbachabc and @bachelornation, Joan Vassos was announced as the first “Golden Bachelorette.”

Who is Joan Vassos from ‘The Golden Bachelor’?

Joan Vassos was one of the 22 women in the first season of “The Golden Bachelor,” vying for Gerry Turner’s heart. She self-eliminated during Week 3 after her daughter gave birth.

"Things go wrong, and even if everything went right, you need your mom," Vassos said on the episode. "My family will always be first. Once you become a mom, you're always a mom, even when your kids are older. Nothing is more important."

She had just gone on her first one-on-one date with Gerry before leaving and the two had a strong connection. Now, Vassos will be making decisions about her love life as the lead of “The Golden Bachelorette.”

Vassos has four children and two grandchildren. After 32 years of marriage, her husband died of pancreatic cancer and Joan was left a widow.

She enjoys listening to Elton John, hanging with her dog and cooking a delicious meal according to a press release from ABC.

"Now, as she steps into the golden spotlight and begins her journey to seek love once more, Vassos envisions a future filled with shared moments by the beach and cherished time with family,” the release states.

The first Asian Bachelorette: Get to know new Bachelorette Jenn Tran. Plus, did Maria and Daisy turn it down?

How old is Joan on 'The Golden Bachelor'?

“The Golden Bachelorette” lead Joan Vassos is 61 years old.

Where is Joan Vassos from?

Joan Vassos is a school administrator from Rockland, Maryland.

Leslie Fhima's reaction

Many fans expected "The Golden Bachelor" runner-up Leslie Fhima to be the first "Golden Bachelorette" and were surprised once the announcement came out that it was Joan Vassos who got the role.

Leslie however, had nothing but good things to say. Posting on her Instagram story @lesliefhima on Tuesday, May 14, "Happy for my friend @joan_vassos!!! First Golden Bachelor!"

Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Joan Vassos is the Golden Bachelorette: Here's what she's looking for