For decades, Susan Lucci has been synonymous with daytime television drama. Her portrayal of Erica Kane on All My Children made her a legend in the soap-opera world, ultimately earning her the reputation of a beloved icon. But in a move that nobody could have predicted, her name became linked to a completely different kind of entertainment this year: the reality dating series The Golden Bachelorette.
This unexpected twist began several months ago when ABC, the network behind The Bachelor franchise, was in the early stages of launching The Golden Bachelor and eventually The Golden Bachelorette. With an entire new era of dating shows dedicated to folks 60 years of age and older, producers were eager to find a lead whose personality and life story could captivate audiences. Given her fame and longstanding appeal, they zeroed in on Susan Lucci as a top choice to star in The Golden Bachelorette.
The mere possibility of a figure like Lucci joining the Bachelor universe was enough to send fans of both soap operas and reality TV into a swirl of excitement. Yet, as soon as the rumor surfaced, many wondered: Would the actress, who famously defined daytime drama for so long, actually entertain the idea of finding love on camera in her late 70s? For fans and media outlets alike, it was a tantalizing prospect—one that combined nostalgia, romance, and the feel-good vibe of a show seeking to prove that love truly knows no age.
A Profound Loss Before the Offer
Before diving into the specifics of why the deal didn’t come to fruition, one must understand the personal circumstances that shaped Susan Lucci’s perspective. In 2022, she experienced a devastating loss: the death of her husband, Helmut Huber. He was 84 years old and had shared 52 blissful years of marriage with Lucci. Huber, originally from Austria, was a chef and a successful businessman, but more importantly, he was the anchor of Lucci’s life.
Their marriage on September 13, 1969, kicked off a partnership that spanned over half a century. In interviews, Lucci has often described how she and Helmut grew together, raised two children, and doted on their grandchildren. Despite her fame and his success, the core of their bond was rooted in everyday devotion—cooking together, traveling, and supporting each other through career milestones. When he passed on March 28, 2022, Lucci was understandably shattered by the void this left in her life.
Even though she continues to radiate the grace and warmth fans have come to expect, Lucci has been open about how deeply she misses her husband. Through social media and select interviews, she has expressed gratitude for the many years they spent side by side, but also acknowledged the difficulty of adjusting to life without him.
The Courting of a Soap Opera Legend
Amid this period of grief, an invitation landed in Lucci’s orbit that, under other circumstances, might have piqued her interest—or at least her curiosity. According to an interview she gave to People Magazine, ABC approached her to discuss the prospect of headlining The Golden Bachelorette. The concept itself was new and somewhat revolutionary: a spin-off that explores the journey of finding love later in life, featuring women (and men) who often have decades of experiences—happy, painful, and everything in between—under their belts.
Lucci revealed to People that she has been watching the mainline Bachelor shows for a while. More recently, she found herself “falling in love with The Golden Bachelor,” calling it a “new addiction for me.” The show’s premise of championing love that blossoms beyond youth struck a chord, she admitted. But as she weighed the idea of possibly joining the series herself, she recognized the timing wasn’t right.
A crucial aspect to consider is that when ABC reached out, Lucci was still very much in the early stages of processing her husband’s death. Even for someone with an illustrious television career, the decision to expose her personal life and search for companionship on national TV is no small matter. The heartbreak of losing a spouse of 52 years—and the deep emotional ties that remain—would likely influence anyone’s perspective. And for Susan Lucci, who has always cherished her privacy behind the scenes, stepping into a lead role on a dating show might have posed too great an emotional hurdle.
Ultimately, she “respectfully declined” ABC’s offer. Her reasons were undoubtedly personal: grief, memories, and a natural inclination to let her heart heal at its own pace. Viewers who learned of this offer sent messages of support, commending her for acknowledging her own boundaries and taking the time she needed to navigate life after loss.
ABC’s Next Move: Enter Joan Vassos
With Susan Lucci opting out, the question remained: Who would ABC crown as the first-ever Golden Bachelorette? On May 14, network executives answered that question by announcing Joan Vassos would take the lead in the upcoming season. At 61 years old, Vassos had initially gained attention during Season 1 of The Golden Bachelor, where she made a strong impression on audiences.
Joan Vassos has a refreshingly candid manner of speaking about her motivations. On the Bachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hour podcast, she openly stated, “I really want love,” a sentiment that might resonate with viewers who see their own hopes and dreams mirrored in her words. She elaborated that “life is better when you share it with somebody” and expressed her belief that meeting potential partners on a show designed for older adults is preferable to navigating the complexities of dating websites and apps.
It’s a stance that marks a fascinating shift in how society perceives romance among older adults. For much of modern media history, dating shows focused predominantly on people in their 20s and 30s. The emergence of The Golden Bachelor (and now The Golden Bachelorette) signals a willingness to celebrate love stories that begin or reignite later in life—an inclusive move that acknowledges romance doesn’t expire at a certain age.
Why the Lucci Invitation Matters
Even though Susan Lucci ultimately declined, ABC’s outreach speaks volumes about the network’s desire to attract a major star and simultaneously convey the message that finding love can be an enthralling narrative at any stage of life. Lucci’s near-involvement points to the entertainment industry’s growing recognition of older demographics, both as participants in compelling life stories and as engaged viewers who want shows that reflect their experiences.
If Lucci had said yes, imagine the storyline: a beloved daytime TV legend stepping into the spotlight to seek companionship after half a century with her true love. It would have been poignant and deeply emotional, capturing the hearts of fans. The choice would also have signaled a major crossover moment, bridging the world of daytime drama with the fervent reality-TV culture.
However, respecting her grieving process and personal journey is paramount. For some individuals, the notion of a new romance after a longtime partner’s passing may feel right after a few months or a year; for others, that possibility might not exist at all. Grief doesn’t follow a universal schedule.
Where the Franchise Stands Now
As The Golden Bachelor continues to garner strong viewership and enthusiastic chatter on social media, its upcoming spin-off, The Golden Bachelorette, promises to add another layer to this late-life love phenomenon. Joan Vassos, with her earnest desire to connect deeply with someone special, stands ready to embark on a televised quest for companionship. Though her star power may not match the soap-opera royalty of Susan Lucci, she brings her own genuine story—one that many viewers are eager to follow.
The show’s creators likely hope that viewers of all ages will cheer Vassos on, just as they might root for younger contestants on the mainline Bachelor shows. The format itself might undergo tweaks to better accommodate older participants: for instance, more relaxed group dates or an emphasis on deeper conversations over flashy events. Early feedback on The Golden Bachelor suggests that audiences appreciate seeing people with extensive life experience discussing love, heartbreak, and even late-life dreams.
Susan Lucci’s Ongoing Legacy
Even though Susan Lucci won’t be handing out roses or participating in rose ceremonies anytime soon, her brief association with The Golden Bachelorette highlights her enduring cultural influence. At 77, she remains a figure of glamour, grace, and emotional authenticity—qualities that endeared her to viewers across decades of soap-opera stardom.
She continues to make occasional public appearances, whether it’s on talk shows, award ceremonies, or special events that celebrate the history of daytime television. Additionally, her openness about grief underscores the broader conversation about how one copes with losing a spouse later in life. In a world quick to push individuals toward moving on, Lucci stands as a reminder that mourning is deeply personal and can’t be rushed.
In the bigger picture, the gesture from ABC underscores the entertainment industry’s shifting landscape. Shows like The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette are rewriting the rules about who gets to be front and center in a romance narrative. By even approaching Lucci, ABC effectively acknowledged that older women—and men—are neither invisible nor absent from the quest for love and connection.
A Respectful Decline and a Bright Future
While fans may have been intrigued by the idea of seeing Susan Lucci navigate the ups and downs of televised matchmaking, the star’s decision to “respectfully decline” was, by all accounts, understandable. Having just lost a life partner of 52 years, she stands at a crossroads many widows and widowers face: balancing cherished memories with potential new chapters yet to be written.
In the meantime, viewers can look forward to Joan Vassos’s journey on The Golden Bachelorette. This fall, they’ll tune in to see if Vassos finds the deep bond she longs for, and whether the show’s format can deliver that elusive spark in front of millions of onlookers. If anything, the progression from Susan Lucci’s possible involvement to Joan Vassos’s starring role underscores that while no single star or storyline defines a franchise, the underlying mission—to prove that love has no expiration date—remains as compelling as ever.
Ultimately, Susan Lucci’s brush with The Golden Bachelorette serves as a touching coda to her life story thus far. She was given the opportunity to open her heart to a new chapter on national television, but chose instead to honor the memory of a husband she dearly loved. For fans and followers of her career, it’s a testament to Lucci’s unwavering authenticity and commitment to following her own timeline—a choice worthy of respect and admiration. As she herself might say, the show must go on. And so it will, just without her in the leading role.
