The Golden Bachelorette: Chock Chapple's Troubling Romantic History Explained (He Could Devastate Joan Vassos)

The Golden Bachelorette contestant Chock Chapple could win Joan Vassos' final rose, but his romantic history is troubling. Joan, a 61-year-old private school administrator from Maryland, is no stranger to looking for love on national television. Just last year, she was one of 22 eligible older bachelorettes who traveled to The Bachelor mansion to compete for Gerry Turner's roses on The Golden Bachelor. Gerry liked Joan, and they even had a great solo date early in the season, but Joan had to leave the show early due to a family emergency.

Though Joan's time on The Bachelor was brief, she made an impression and was later cast as The Bachelor spin-off's first female lead. During the premiere of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Joan met 24 single men, including Chock, a 60-year-old insurance executive from Wichita, Kansas. Joan and the single father of two hit it off early, and he even received Joan's first solo date. Chock is one of Joan's final three men, and he's a front-runner to win her final rose, but his troubling romantic history could be a major red flag.

Chock Is Divorced

He's Still Friends With His Ex-Wife

Long before joining the cast of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Chock was married to Heather Chapple, his first wife. The couple was married for 12 years and had two children together, who are now in their teens. Though Chock and Heather's marriage ended in divorce, according to Chock, the two enjoy a positive co-parenting relationship. The end of Chock's marriage could be a bad sign, and Joan should find out more about what happened, but at least he's still friendly with his ex, which is a good sign.

During a recent episode of The Golden Bachelorette, Joan visited Chock's hometown and met his two teenage children, Tyler and Taylor Chapple. Chock is a very involved father whose children love him very much. Both of his children have followed in their father's footsteps and are pursuing careers in the insurance business. Chock's mother died during the season, and he had to leave briefly to be there for his family, but he came back quickly. Chock may have a troubling romantic past, but he clearly wants to be with Joan.

Chock's Long Engagement

His Fiancée Passed Away

Joan and Chock have a lot in common. Long before being cast as The Golden Bachelorette, Joan was married to John Vassos for 32 years before he died in 2021. Chock knows what it's like to lose a partner. After his marriage ended, Chock dated Katherine Elizabeth White Goree. The couple were engaged for nine years before she passed away in 2022 after battling cancer. During their first solo date, Chock told Joan losing Heather was the most devastating loss of his life.

Does Chock Win Joan's Final Rose?

He Could Win It All

Expectations are high for The Golden Bachelorette couple. The Golden Bachelor season 1 ended with Gerry giving his final rose to 70-year-old Theresa Nist. The two were quickly married in an ill-advised but lavish Golden Bachelor wedding that aired on national television. The septuagenarian couple announced their divorce only three short months later. The rushed marriage and equally rushed divorce damaged The Golden Bachelor brand, and the hope is Joan will save this new part of the franchise.

Joan narrowed her men down to three hopeful bachelors. In addition to Chock, Joan is still considering 66-year-old Guy Gansert and 69-year-old Pascal Ibgui. With The Golden Bachelorette season 1 season finale just around the corner, Joan could be giving her final rose, and her heart, to a man with a troubling romantic history. If the next union falls apart, The Golden Bachelor/Bachelorette may never recover.