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Warning: The Golden Bachelorette Season 1 spoilers ahead: He officially became Bachelor Nation’s most eligible dad after his Hometown Date on The Bachelor, but what happens to Mark on The Golden Bachelorette? Here’s whether Kelsey A.’s dad actually ends up with Joan.
Mark Anderson, a 57-year-old Army Veteran from Leesville, Louisiana, was one of 24 contestants on the first season of The Golden Bachelorette led by Joan Vassos. Joan, a 61-year-old Private School Administrator from Rockville, Maryland, was previously a contestant on Season 1 of The Golden Bachelor with Gerry Turner, where she sent herself home in 12th place in Week 3 to care for her daughter, who had a medical emergency.
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As Bachelor Nation fans know, Mark is no stranger to The Bachelor franchise. He’s the father of Kelsey Anderson, the winner of The Bachelor Season 28 and Joey Graziadei’s fiance. Mark also appeared during Kelsey A.’s Hometown Date on The Bachelor Season 28, where he met Joey and became a fan favorite for his support toward his daughter and his good looks. “Kelsey’s dad….. respectfully, hello…..” a user tweeted at the time.
Mark is the second parent of a Bachelor Nation alum to appear as a contestant on The Bachelor franchise after Patty James, the mother of Season 25 Bachelor Matt James, who was sent home in Week 1 on The Golden Bachelor Season 1. With his fan favorite status, Bachelor Nation viewers are hoping that Mark fares better than Patty on The Golden Bachelorette. But how far does he make it? Read on for what we know about what happens to Mark on The Golden Bachelorette and whether he ends up with Joan.
Related: Which couples are still together from The Bachelorette?
SPOILER: What happens to Mark on The Golden Bachelorette?
Disney/Ricky Middlesworth.
Joan did not pick Mark as her winner on The Golden Bachelorette Season 1, according to Reality Steve. In fact, Mark didn’t even make it to Joan’s final four, which included Hometown Dates with: Jordan Heller, a 61-year-old Sales Manager from Riverwoods, Illinois; Chock Chapple, a 60-year-old Insurance Executive from Wichita, Kansas; Pascal Ibgui, a 69-year-old Salon Owner from Glencoe, Illinois; and Guy Gansert, a 66-year-old ER Doctor from Reno, Nevada.
Joan’s fourth-place finalist was Jordan. Her third-place finalist was either Pascal or Guy, and her winner was Chock. According to Reality Steve, Pascal also self-eliminated in the finale because he wasn’t in love with Joan.
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Though Mark didn’t win The Golden Bachelorette, fans are campaigning for him to be the next Golden Bachelor for Season 2. “Kelsey’s dad as the NEXT GOLDEN BACHELOR PLEASE!!” a user commented on Reality TV’s Instagram post of Joan’s Golden Bachelorette finale spoilers. Another user wrote, “Kelsey’s dad better be golden bachelor!” One more user commented, “Now I am so open to Kelsey’s Dad being our next Golden Bachelor!🥳”
Other users expressed their surprise at Mark not making it to Joan’s final four. “Mark not being top four is crazy!!” a user wrote. Another user commented, “Wait Kelsey’s Dad didn’t even make the final 4 😱😭?” One more user wrote, “Mark for next golden bachelor please.”
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Who is Mark from The Golden Bachelorette?
Mark Anderson is a 57-year-old Army Veteran from Leesville, Louisiana. His Instagram handle is @mark.t.anderson.
Mark is also the father of Kelsey Anderson, the winner of The Bachelor Season 28, who is engaged to former Bachelor Joey Graziadei. Kelsey introduced Mark to Joan on night one of The Golden Bachelorette. “I have someone I would like to introduce you to. It’s my dad,” Kelsey said. “Well, hello, Joan,” Mark said, to which Joan responded, “I’m so excited!”
Mark shared Kelsey with her mother, Denise, who died in 2018 after being diagnosed with breast cancer that “metastasized on her bones,” Kelsey said on The Bachelor Season 28. “They gave her six months,” Kelsey told Joey on a one-on-one date. “After that, it was just very aggressive and after I think about 2 months, she passed away.”
Kelsey also told Joey that, ever since her mom’s death, she sees her in butterflies. “Whenever I see butterflies it feels like it’s my mom there. Right before I came on here, I got off work and I was walking down and I saw butterflies in the middle of the city of New Orleans. And I don’t know, that kind of was reassuring to me,” she said.
Kelsey also honored her mom in a TikTok video of her and Joey’s engagement shoot after The Bachelor Season 28 finale. “6 years ago my beautiful mom passed away. But during my engagement shoot this orb was all over me in the videos my photographer sent me. I’m not fully sure what it means.. but it means a lot to me,” Kelsey wrote over a video of an orb of light following her and Joey during their shoot. She captioned the video, “Every time I watch the videos it gets me emotional ❤️”
Read Mark’s official Golden Bachelorette biography and fun facts ahead:
“Mark is ready for love after loss. You may recognize Mark as Kelsey Anderson’s dad and Joey Graziadei’s future father-in-law! Inspired by Kelsey and Joey’s love story, Mark is excited about this chance to find love again. Mark is empathetic and warm and has dedicated his life to working for the military. His five children are his greatest accompaniment, and he can’t wait to have grandchildren one day. Mark loved watching “The Golden Bachelor” because it made him realize he’s not alone in his grief, and others are also hoping to find love again in this chapter of life. He loves traveling to visit his kids, and he hopes to meet a woman to plant roots with again. Mark is truly here to find his person and hopefully return home with Joan by his side.
Fun Facts:• Mark is terrified of ostriches.•; Mark’s favorite movie is “Elf.”• Mark can wiggle his ears.”
The Golden Bachelorette is available to stream on Hulu.
