Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple got engaged at the end of the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelorette, but there are already signs that the couple will never get married. It’s too bad too, because 61-year-old Joan has been through a lot, and she really deserved to find true love on the show. Joan never thought she’d be dating in her golden years. She was happily married to the love of her life, John Vassos, for 32 years before he passed away in 2021. They had four children together, and were blissfully happy before he was diagnosed with cancer.

Joan was devastated by the loss of her husband, and never thought she’d move on. When she was cast as a contestant on The Golden Bachelor, she decided to give it a shot. Though she connected with 72-year-old Gerry Turner, she left the season early due to a family emergency. Her Bachelor journey appeared to be over, but she was cast as The Golden Bachelorette, and introduced to 24 single Golden men. In the end, she gave her final rose to 60-year-old Chock, and the two got engaged, but there were signs that they’d never make it down the aisle.

Joan & Chock Are Mourning

Neither Are Ready For A Relationship

When John was diagnosed with cancer, Joan was in denial. Before he died, he sat her down and told her that he didn’t want her to be alone for the rest of her life. He wanted her to find love again. Joan tried to respect John’s wishes, but she struggled with guilt throughout The Golden Bachelorette season 1. She often spoke about feeling like she was cheating on her late husband. The more Joan talked about her late husband, the less she seemed ready to open her heart again.

Like Joan, Chock is no stranger to loss. After his 12-year marriage to Heather Chapple, with whom he had two children, ended in divorce, Chock dated Katherine Elizabeth White Goree. The couple were engaged for nine years until she was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2022. During Joan and Chock’s first solo, he said that losing Heather was the most devastating loss of his life. Though it’s clear that Chock loved his late fiancée, the long engagement could mean that he’s unable to commit. It’s entirely possible that Chock mires Joan in another long engagement.

It’s Up To Them To Save The Franchise

Joan and Chock aren’t the Bachelor spin-off’s first couple. The Golden Bachelor season 1 ended with Gerry giving his final rose to 70-year-old Theresa Nist. Weeks after going public with their relationship, they were married in a lavish Golden Bachelor wedding. Despite high hopes for the newlyweds, the septuagenarian couple announced their divorce after only three short months of matrimony.

In an interview with CNN, Joan made it clear she would not be rushing into marriage, insisting that people need more time together. If Joan sticks to her guns, this means there won’t be another Golden Bachelor wedding special. She went so far as to express interest in appearing in a potential season of The Golden Bachelor In Paradise. “Oh, my gosh. I want to be on it!” Catching herself, Joan added, “Hopefully, I’ll have a husband and not (be) eligible.” If Joan was already talking about being on another Bachelor show, she’s unlikely to be marrying Chock anytime soon.

Are Joan & Chock Still Together?

So Far So Good

With The Golden Bachelorette finale airing recently, Joan and Chock just went public with their relationship. The final rose ceremony was filmed months ago, so Joan and Chock had to keep their relationship under wraps this whole time. Now that they can be out in the open, they’ve already started making plans for the future. They’ve talked about taking their families for a joint Disneyland vacation, going back to the place where Chock and Joan had their first date. Joan and Chock appear to be madly in love, but that doesn’t mean there’s a wedding date in their future.