In February, USA TODAY exclusively reported that Vassos, 61, was a top contender for the show following the success of "The Golden Bachelor." The private school administrator from Rockville, Maryland, has officially been announced as the lead for "The Golden Bachelorette," with the series set to air on Wednesdays this fall. "The secret is out," Vassos shared on Instagram Stories. "I'm honored to be the first Golden Bachelorette."
Vassos became a fan favorite after a romantic evening with Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner, but she had to make the tough decision to leave due to her daughter's medical needs. Following the announcement, Turner congratulated Vassos on Instagram, saying, "Congratulations on being named the first-ever Golden Bachelorette. You will be phenomenal as the new representative of a generation. From one 'Golden' to another...Relax, breathe, and enjoy."
After Vassos exited "The Golden Bachelor," Turner gave his final rose to Theresa Nist, and the couple married in January. However, by April, they announced their divorce after just three months on "Good Morning America."
In a recent interview with CNN, Vassos expressed her surprise at the news of Turner and Nist's divorce. "I loved watching their journey and saw them fall in love," she said. "I believed, just like they did, that they were the perfect couple. I respect that they jumped into this process wholeheartedly and that they ended it when they realized it wasn't right."
During Turner's season, Vassos also spoke about her late husband, John, who passed away from pancreatic cancer after 32 years of marriage. "He always made me feel safe and cherished," she wrote on Instagram in January. "He was the fun parent because that's what he knew how to do. I could go on for hours."
Vassos made a memorable impression in Episode 3 of "The Golden Bachelor." During a talent competition, she humorously claimed she had no talent but won over the audience with a heartfelt poem about meeting Gerry, titled "I Just Hope I Don't Vomit on Your Shoes." Her simple verse brought laughter and tears, and Turner named her the talent show winner. They connected further during a solo dinner date, which ended with Turner giving her a rose and a deep kiss.
Despite their budding connection, Vassos had to leave "The Golden Bachelor" the next day due to her daughter's medical emergency after a difficult C-section birth.
Vassos returned for the November Women Tell All episode, where she expressed her feelings of unfinished business with Turner. "It was so abrupt; it felt like I had unfinished business," she said tearfully. "I saw a future with somebody."