Joan Vassos is the Golden Bachelorette

Following Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist’s breakup after the ABC series’ first season Golden Baccalaureatethe network revealed that Joan Vassos, a 61-year-old school administrator, would be the one to hand out the roses on Golden Single. The news broke during Disney’s Upfront presentation, noting that fan favorite Vassos had to drop out Golden Baccalaureate after week 3 due to a family emergency.

During the Women say it all special that aired when the show first aired, Vassos admitted that there was unfinished business between her and Turner. Vassos hails from Rockland, Maryland, and is officially the first-ever Golden Bachelorette. Although details are scarce at the moment, The Hollywood Reporter notes that the Vassos season is expected to arrive in the fall.

Executive producer Jason Ehrlich said the casting process would be “almost like starting it all over again for the first time.” What’s it going to be like with twenty old men living in the Bachelor Manor? We don’t know, but I’m pretty sure it will be different and interesting. And that’s what makes me want to watch.

Before today’s announcement, fans believed that Leslie Fhima, a fitness instructor from Golden Valley, Minnesota, would lead the event. Golden Single if the show managed to take off.

Vassos’ husband died after 32 years of marriage. She is the mother of four children and also has two grandchildren. According to the biography shared during his appearance on Golden Baccalaureateshe enjoys “listening to Elton John music, spending time with her dog, and cooking.”

“Now, as she steps into the golden spotlight and begins her journey to seek love again, Vassos envisions a future filled with shared beachside moments and treasured family times,” the biography concludes.