When The Bachelor first aired in 2002, audiences were stunned by the premise. One man mingles with a couple dozen women, and week after week, he eliminates those he’s not interested in.
They travel the world, hitting up the most exotic and romantic locations. The contestants were supposed to be looking for true love, but often it seemed like they just wanted to be on TV. Nevertheless, the show successfully matched a number of contestants. Here’s the status of some notable participants.
Season 1: Alex Michel and Amanda Marsh
It’s become common practice for the man to propose on the finale of The Bachelor. Even if the two never get married, the ratings and gossip go better when the man bends onto one knee.
However, in the very first season, Michel withheld his proposal. He chose Marsh as the winner, and the two dated for about a year. That’s when Marsh found out that Michel was still in contact with runner-up Trista Rehn.
Marsh is now married to her childhood friend, Jay Caldwell, and the two have a daughter together. Michel got hooked on the single life and continues to be a bachelor in Washington, D.C., where he works as a consultant.
Season 2: Aaron Buerge and Helene Eksterowicz
Buerge ended the second season properly, with a proposal for winner Eksterowicz. Unfortunately, five weeks later she was unceremoniously dumped at a Starbucks.
One of the pitfalls of the show is that it provides such an exciting atmosphere that the dullness of ordinary life is never experienced. Once the couple is alone and living a normal life, relationships can cool off.
Both Buerge and Eksterowicz eventually found spouses. Buerge married
Season 3: Andrew Firestone and Jen Schefft
Season 3 ended on a promising note with Firestone getting down on one knee to ask Schefft to marry him. She said yes, and a wedding was planned. Just a few short months later, the two split.
One of the biggest strains on these relationships is the airing of the episodes after all of the events took place. The couple is engaged and ready for the future, but everyone else is talking about the past as they see each new episode.
Firestone would later marry actress Ivana
Season 17: Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici
We have to skip quite a few seasons to find a match that is still together. Lowe was originally on The Bachelorette, and audiences were shocked when he was eliminated prior to the last show.
He returned for the next season of The Bachelor and found love with graphic designer Catherine Giudici. Lowe proposed, Giudici said yes, and a few months later, the couple married on live television.
The two have stayed in the spotlight appearing on various reality shows like Celebrity Wife Swap and Marriage Boot Camp. The couple has a one-year-old son named Samuel.