Who Is Mel Owens, the New 'Golden Bachelor'? ...Saudi Arabia

The Golden Bachelor is back for season 2, and this time, the roses are in the hands of Mel Owens — a 66-year-old lawyer and former NFL linebacker who’s ready to find love again. Owens, who once suited up for the Los Angeles Rams, is stepping into the mansion to meet a new cast of women ranging in age from 58 to 77 — though based on some comments he made, not very many of them fit his age criteria.

So who is Mr. Owens, and what can Bachelor Nation expect from his golden journey? Here’s everything to know.

Owens was born December 7, 1958, in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in what ABC describes as a “close-knit Midwestern family.” After a childhood filled with sports, he went on to play football at the University of Michigan before making his way to the NFL.

These days, Owens calls Orange County, California, home, where he balances his legal career with family life.

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What controversial remarks did Mel Owens make about contestants' ages?

On the June 4 episode of the In the Trenches With Jon Jansen podcast, Owens revealed what he and The Golden Bachelor producers discussed during the casting process.

"[Producers] asked me, 'What's your preferences?' So I just said, '45 to 60,' just being honest," Owens said. "The process ended and I was selected, and then we had lunch with the executive producer. I said, 'If they're 60 or over, I'm cutting them," said Owens, who went on to say that the producers told him this is not The Silver Bachelor, it's The Golden Bachelor, but "don't worry," "they're gonna be hot."

He later apologized for the comments in an interview with Glamour magazine, though that was after considerable backlash, considering he himself is 66 years old. Owens said it was because he didn't know anything about the show.

“I didn’t know anything about the Golden Bachelor ages. I didn’t know the age range because I wasn’t watching it," said Owens. "I’m thinking, to me, the age range was 45 to 60. That’s my age range. I’m thinking that’s the gold years for me. My reference, again, was when I was dating at 39, 40. I hadn’t dated in 26 years, so I had no clue. And that’s why I said that comment.”

He did fail to mention that his ex-wife was 19 years younger than him.

Yes. Owens was married to his “first love” Fabiana Pimentel Owens for over 20 years before the pair divorced. While he hasn’t shared many details about their relationship, he has said that what he misses most about marriage is companionship — something he’s hoping to rediscover on The Golden Bachelor.

"I want someone who is honest, charming, loving, fit, and someone full of life. I was married for 25 years, and I miss that companionship. I am looking for that," Owens told host Jesse Palmer at the ABC/Hulu Get Real event back in April.

It should be noted — according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Owens and his ex-wife were married for 22 years, though they may have been together for 25, and that's why he said that. The marriage legally lasted from May 2002 to December 2024, though Fabiana filed for divorce in February 2020 and there was a nearly five-year legal battle before the proceedings were finalized, so they were actually together as spouses for just under 18 years.

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What NFL team did Mel Owens play for?

Owens was the ninth overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, selected by the Los Angeles Rams. He played linebacker with the team for eight seasons, until 1989. In a 1984 profile with the Los Angeles Times, Owens also revealed that he was an entrepreneur with a "restaurant referral hotline" and that he practices ESP (extra-sensory perception), a talent "he became aware of as a child."

Reflecting on his career in 2024, Owens told the South Florida Tribune that being drafted was the highlight: “Two bookends. Everything in the middle is work. But I played with a lot of great players, I had a great time … we built the NFL to where it is now.”

After retiring, Owens transitioned into law, focusing on sports-related injury cases — a field that kept him connected to the game even after his playing days were over.

George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Does Mel Owens have any children?

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Yes — Owens is the proud father of two sons, whom he shares with his ex-wife — Lucas, 20, and Andre, 18. They were introduced to Bachelor Nation on the official Golden Bachelor Instagram account on September 7.

When Owens asked his sons what they thought about him agreeing to be the next Golden Bachelor, Lucas said, "I thought it was a good opportunity for you to put yourself out there," and Andre added, "We hope you find someone you truly love."

After his divorce and the passing of his father, Owens says he dedicated himself to being the best dad possible, coaching his boys’ sports teams and supporting their ambitions. Both sons play baseball and plan to compete in college.

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What to Know

The Golden Bachelor season 2 premieres on Wednesday, September 24, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Hulu.

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