In the November 13 finale, the mother of four told one of her finalists that her "heart belongs to somebody else" before accepting a proposal from another.
After a season filled with love, laughter, and some tears, Joan Vassos found herself down to two finalists as The Golden Bachelorette finale approached.
In the November 13 finale, 61-year-old Joan had to choose between Chock Chapple and Guy Gansert after spending a night in the Fantasy Suite with each of them. Joan had hoped to enjoy a camera-free evening in the Fantasy Suite with Pascal Ibgui. However, Pascal, 69, chose to end his journey before their overnight date, explaining that he didn’t feel a "spark" after their Tahitian bonding ceremony.
“I know what love is. I’ve experienced it, you’ve experienced it,” Pascal told Joan in the Oct. 30 episode. “And I care about you as a friend, but I’m not in love. I just can’t be there, and it’s hurting me because we have a good time together.”
During the Men Tell All special, Joan revealed that she had imagined a future with Pascal. “I pictured a life with you. I know that the Tahitian ceremony was uncomfortable for you, and I thought maybe in Fantasy Suites we could’ve figured something out, but you had already made up your mind.”
As the finale approached, Joan, a private school administrator, teased "happy tears" ahead and looked forward to reuniting with her kids in Bora Bora. Joan introduced Chock to her family but ended things with Guy before he could meet them, realizing her heart belonged to Chock.
Though Joan hesitated to say "I love you" back to Chock, she finally expressed her feelings when they reunited on the Bora Bora sands. She told him, “I love you” — and then said “yes” when Chock proposed.
Keep reading to see what unfolded in the Golden Bachelorette finale.
(Note: For the latest updates, scroll to the top of the page to follow the full recap from the beginning.)
Joan and Chock made their first public appearance as an engaged couple when they joined Jesse in the studio. The former NFL star surprised them with an unforgettable gift—a trip to Disney World for both of their families.
Reflecting on their journey, Joan told Chock on proposal day, "From our first date in Disneyland, I saw a future with you," referring to their memorable one-on-one date. Now, they’re set to make that future a reality together, surrounded by their loved ones.
Golden Bachelorette Finale Recap: Joan Vassos Gets Engaged After Finding 'True Love'
After a season filled with love, laughter, and some tears, Joan Vassos was down to two finalists going into the *Golden Bachelorette* finale. On November 13, the 61-year-old mother of four had to choose between Chock Chapple and Guy Gansert, following her time in the Fantasy Suite with each man. Joan had hoped to share a camera-free evening with Pascal Ibgui, but he decided to end his journey early, telling Joan he didn't feel a "spark" after their Tahitian bonding ceremony.
"I know what love is. I've experienced it, and so have you," Pascal, 69, said during the October 30 episode. "I care about you as a friend, but I'm not in love. I just can't be here, and it's hurting me because we have a good time together."
Joan had imagined a future with Pascal, telling him during the *Men Tell All* special, “I pictured a life with you, and I know that ceremony was uncomfortable for you. I thought maybe in Fantasy Suites we could’ve figured something out, but you had already made up your mind.”
As the finale unfolded, Joan reconnected with her children in Bora Bora, and introduced her family to Chock, though she ended things with Guy before he could meet them, realizing her heart belonged to Chock. While Joan wasn’t ready to say "I love you" back to him before proposal day, she expressed her feelings when Chock arrived on the beach in Bora Bora, saying, "I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Joan then said "yes" when Chock proposed, marking the beginning of their new life together.
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The Happy Couple Heads to Disney World
Joan and Chock appeared together on stage for the first time as an engaged couple, joining Jesse Palmer in the studio. The former NFL star surprised them with a trip to Disney World, where their families would join them for a magical celebration.
Reflecting on their journey, Joan shared with Chock, "From our first date in Disneyland, I thought I saw a future with you," referring to their first one-on-one date. Now, they’re ready to live that future together, surrounded by their loved ones.
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Joan Says 'Yes' to Forever
On proposal day, Chock arrived unsure whether Guy had gone home, and confessed to Jesse that he had some "self-doubt" because Joan hadn't said "I love you" back to him yet. But when Joan met Chock on the beach in Bora Bora, she told him, “I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to wake up next to you every morning and kiss you goodnight.”
Chock, still unsure but hopeful, got down on one knee, presenting a Neil Lane ring and asking, “Joan, will you marry me?” Joan replied, "Of course I'll marry you," and gave Chock her final rose, marking the start of their engagement.
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Guy Reflects on His Breakup with Joan
Later, Guy joined Jesse live in the studio, admitting it was "heartbreaking" to watch his breakup with Joan. When Joan appeared, the two spoke for the first time since their split in Bora Bora. Guy asked Joan, "Was there something missing that I didn’t anticipate?"
Joan explained that timing was a crucial factor in her decision. “In any other situation, I would have been with you, but there was a time element that I had to consider," she said. "It wasn’t anything you did. I just got further along with Chock."
Joan reassured Guy that their breakup was not due to any fault of his, and expressed hope that they could one day double date.
Joan's date with Chock helped her realize what she truly wanted. Before Guy could meet her family, she went to his hotel room to end their journey together.
"We really had a connection," Joan told the cameras about Chock. "Hearing him say he loves me and wants to spend the rest of his life with me made me realize that I’ve actually found love. It’s real. I know where my heart is, and I know what I need to do."
And with that clarity, she did exactly that. "I'm here to tell you that my heart belongs to somebody else," Joan told Guy, 66. "I care about you so much, and I know we talked about being seen. I want you to know that I saw you at every rose ceremony, at every date. I care deeply for you, but my heart belongs to someone else now."
Joan explained that because she cared for Guy, she wanted to spare him the pain of meeting her kids.
Guy, still hopeful, said he had planned to propose and asked, "There’s no changing your mind?"
Joan softly replied, "I love you, but I love you in a different way."
Joan Feels Like a 'Different Person' After Hearing the 'L' Word
After what Chock described as a "perfect" day with Joan and her family, the couple headed into their final date before engagement day.
Toasting with champagne, Chock shared that he hoped he had done a "good job" during his visit with Joan's family. "You did a great job, actually," Joan reassured him.
Chock then presented Joan with a heartfelt gift: a heart-shaped keychain. "This is a symbol of my commitment to you," he said. "I want us to have a place in New York City, and I want us to choose it together—make all the decisions together."
Joan, visibly moved, responded, "I literally can't believe this."
Chock continued to express his feelings, saying, "I want to marry you. I want to spend my life with you, and I want you to know that. I do love you."
No
Joan confessed to the cameras that this was the first time someone had said "I love you" to her since the death of her husband. While she didn’t return the words immediately, staying true to her promise not to say "I love you" until the end of the process, she still felt a deep shift inside.
"I feel like a different person," Joan said to the cameras. "I feel like I deserve love."
Golden Bachelorette Finale Recap: Joan Vassos Gets Engaged After Finding Love with Chock Chapple
Joan Vassos’ journey on *The Golden Bachelorette* came to a heartwarming conclusion on the November 13 finale, as she found love with one of her final two suitors. After weeks of emotional dates and tough decisions, the 61-year-old mom of four made her choice between Chock Chapple and Guy Gansert.
Joan, who had spent intimate one-on-one time with each man, ultimately followed her heart and chose Chock. But it wasn’t an easy decision. Before she could introduce Guy to her family, Joan had to face the reality of her feelings, which had grown deeper for Chock.
A Heartfelt Goodbye to Guy
Joan’s date with Chock had shown her the kind of love she was searching for. As she reflected on their time together, Joan realized that she had found her connection with Chock, leading her to end things with Guy before he could meet her children.
“I’m here to tell you that my heart belongs to somebody else,” Joan told Guy, 66, with genuine care. “I care about you so much… but my heart belongs to someone else now.” Though Guy had planned to propose, Joan explained that she loved him in a different way—like a friend—and that their paths were simply no longer aligned.
Chock’s Proposal and Joan’s Heartfelt Response
After spending the day with Joan's family, Chock, 60, was full of hope as he prepared for proposal day. He gave Joan a heart-shaped keychain as a symbol of his commitment to her and their future together. Joan, still processing her feelings, was moved by Chock's words.
“I want to marry you. I want to spend my life with you,” Chock told Joan, sharing his deep love for her. For Joan, it was the first time she had heard those words since the death of her husband. Though she had promised not to say “I love you” until the end of the process, Joan felt a shift in her heart.
“I feel like a different person,” she shared. “I feel like I deserve love.” When Chock got down on one knee and proposed with a stunning Neil Lane ring, Joan couldn’t hold back her emotions. “Of course I’ll marry you,” she replied, accepting Chock’s proposal and giving him her final rose.
The Happy Couple’s First Public Appearance
In the studio with host Jesse Palmer, Joan and Chock appeared for the first time as an engaged couple. As a surprise, Jesse arranged for a special family trip to Disney World, where Joan and Chock, along with their children, could celebrate their love.
Joan recalled their first date in Disneyland, saying, “From our first date in Disneyland, I thought I saw a future with you.” Now, they would get to live that future together, surrounded by family.
A Touching Moment with Joan’s Family
While Chock had won over Joan’s kids, the meeting was still a big moment for everyone involved. Joan’s son, Nick, admitted that he had “extremely high expectations” for any man who might take his father’s place. But after speaking with Chock, Nick felt reassured. Chock made it clear that he wasn’t there to replace Joan’s late husband but simply to love her and enjoy life together.
“I’m not here to replace your dad in any way, shape or form,” Chock said to Nick. “I just want to have a great life with your mom.” Joan’s children expressed how proud they were of her for taking this journey, and how inspired they were by her courage and grace.
Joan and Chock’s New Beginning
After a season full of emotional highs and lows, Joan’s heart led her to Chock, and now they begin a new chapter together. With her family’s support and a promise of a bright future ahead, Joan and Chock are ready to live the love story they both deserve.
Golden Bachelorette Finale Recap: Joan Vassos Finds Love and Gets Engaged
By Dana Rose Falcone, Updated Nov. 13, 2024 at 9:40 PM EST
Joan Vassos, the 61-year-old mother of four, has found love once again, culminating in a proposal from Chock Chapple during the Nov. 13 finale of *The Golden Bachelorette*. After a season filled with emotional moments, Joan's decision between Chock and Guy Gansert came down to heartfelt connections, intimate conversations, and a moment of clarity during the Fantasy Suites.
Pascal's Departure
In the final stages of the show, Joan was forced to say goodbye to one of her finalists, Pascal Ibgui, who left before their overnight date. Despite their meaningful connection during a Tahitian bonding ceremony, Pascal, 69, told Joan he felt no "spark" and couldn’t pursue a romantic relationship with her. "I know what love is... I care about you as a friend, but I’m not in love," he shared in an emotional moment. Joan later confessed she had pictured a future with Pascal but respected his decision to leave.
A Bold Decision
In the finale, Joan was left with two men: Chock, 60, and Guy, 66. After spending the night in the Fantasy Suite with both, Joan realized her heart belonged to Chock. Before Guy could meet her family in Bora Bora, Joan tearfully ended their journey together, telling him, “My heart belongs to somebody else now.” Guy was devastated but respected her choice.
The Proposal
On the final day in Bora Bora, Joan and Chock shared an emotional reunion. Despite holding off on saying “I love you” until the end, Joan finally expressed her feelings when Chock proposed on the beach. "I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you," Joan said, accepting his proposal with an enthusiastic "yes."
Chock, clearly moved, presented Joan with a Neil Lane engagement ring, making it official. Joan’s heart was full as she gave Chock her final rose, marking the start of their new chapter together.
Guy Reflects on His Breakup
During the Men Tell All special, Guy sat down with host Jesse Palmer and shared his heartbreak over the split. He admitted he had hoped to propose to Joan and questioned whether something had been missing. Joan reassured him that it was simply a matter of timing and that it wasn’t because of anything he had done. “It’s not you, it’s just that I found love with Chock,” she explained.
Family Approvals
As Joan introduced Chock to her children in Bora Bora, there was a sense of nervous anticipation, particularly from her son Nick. Joan's family had high expectations for Chock, with Nick admitting that it was hard to imagine anyone replacing his late father. But Chock assured them that he wasn’t trying to replace anyone—he simply wanted to build a life with Joan. Joan’s children expressed how proud they were of her for taking this emotional journey.
Joan's Emotional Journey
Throughout the season, Joan navigated not only the excitement of dating but also the emotional weight of moving on after the loss of her husband, John. Joan admitted that she struggled with feelings of grief, seeking therapy to work through her emotions. "I didn't have to stop loving John to love again," Joan said. "I just needed to know it was okay to make space for new love."
As the finale came to a close, Joan and Chock embarked on their new life together, filled with the promise of love, adventure, and family. The couple, now engaged, even received a surprise trip to Disney World with their families to celebrate.
Looking Forward
Joan and Chock’s journey, from the highs of their first date at Disneyland to the final proposal on a Bora Bora beach, marks the beginning of a new chapter. With love and support from their families, they are ready to build a future together.
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