<p id=”par-1_88″>Mel Owens, the star of <em><a href=”https://cheatsheet.com/tag/the-bachelor”>The Golden Bachelor</a></em> Season 2, is bringing charm, wit, and life experience to the franchise’s latest season. A retired NFL linebacker and community advocate, he now enters the spotlight for a different kind of challenge: finding love on national television. While fans are excited to see how Mel’s season unfolds, they weren’t impressed by his early comments about wanting to fall in love with a younger woman. So, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/the-golden-bachelor-mel-owens-ex-wife-is-much-younger-than-him.html/”>what is Mel’s age</a>, and how does it compare to the contestants on his season?</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-how-old-is-golden-bachelor-season-2-lead-mel-owens”>How old is ‘Golden Bachelor’ Season 2 lead Mel Owens?</h2>
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<p id=”par-2_59″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/mel-owens-ex-wife-speaks-out-ahead-of-the-golden-bachelor-its-going-to-be-bad.html/”><em>The Golden Bachelor</em> Season 2</a> lead, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/mel-owens-says-he-didnt-know-his-age-comments-were-offensive-is-there-hope-for-the-golden-bachelor-season-2.html/”>Mel Owens, made insensitive comments about the ages</a> of the women vying for his love on the show before the season began filming. In a June 2025 podcast interview with <em><a href=”https://mgoblue.com/podcasts/in-the-trenches-513-mel-owens/1393″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>In the Trenches</a></em>, Mel stated he would “cut” any women over 60 from consideration, expressing a preference for women aged 45 to 60.</p>
<p id=”par-3_94″>“It’s blind up until they get out of the limo,” Mel said. “But they asked me, ‘What’s your preferences?’ So, I just said 45 to 60, just being honest,” Owens said. “And then the process went, and I was selected, right? And then we had lunch with the executive producer. I said, ‘You know, if they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.’ ‘Oh Mel, you can’t, you know, this is not <em>The Silver Bachelor</em>. It’s <em>The Golden Bachelor</em>. He goes, ‘But they’re going to be hot, don’t worry about it. Don’t worry about it.’”</p>
<p id=”par-4_44″>So, how old is Mel? He’s 66 while <em>The Golden Bachelor</em> airs, and he’s turning 67 in December 2025. This makes him significantly younger than the first Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner, who turned 74 in 2025. Theresa Nist, Gerry’s ex-wife, turned 72 in 2025.</p>
<p id=”par-5_10″>Mel also has two sons: Lucas, 20, and Andre, 18.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-how-old-is-mel-owens-compared-to-the-women-on-his-season”>How old is Mel Owens compared to the women on his season?</h2>
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<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
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<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/joan-vassos-claimed-mel-owns-was-a-last-minute-pick-to-lead-the-golden-bachelor.html/”>
Joan Vassos Claimed Mel Owns Was a ‘Last Minute Pick’ to Lead ‘the Golden Bachelor’ </a>
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<p id=”par-6_54″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/golden-bachelor-cast-member-appeared-controversial-reality-show.html/”><em>The Golden Bachelor</em> Season 2 introduces</a> 23 vibrant women, aged 58 to 77, each bringing their unique stories and energy to the quest for love with 66-year-old Mel Owens. The contestants hail from diverse backgrounds and professions, including a longevity nurse, a retired biomedical engineer, a flight attendant, a librarian, and a full-time mom.</p>
<p id=”par-7_22″>Here are the contestants, from youngest to oldest (according to <a href=”https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/golden-bachelor-season-2-cast-1236361358/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The Hollywood Reporter</a>), hoping to sweep Mel off his feet this season:</p>
<p id=”par-8_87″>Maia, 58: College sports consultant<br>Monica P., 60: Cosmetic dentist<br>Cindy, 60: Retired biomedical engineer<br>Mylene, 61: Casino VIP host<br>Peg, 62: Retired firefighter<br>Carla, 62: Former model<br>Monica B., 62: Flight attendant<br>Roxanne, 62: Longevity nurse<br>Susie, 62: Realtor<br>Tracy, 62: Interior designer<br>Robin, 63: Wealth advisor<br>Carol, 63: Family manager for Freddie Freeman, a baseball all-star<br>Amy, 63: Full-time mom<br>Nicolle, 64: Yoga instructor<br>Gerri, 64: Home-care agency CEO<br>Debbie, 65: Fitness professional<br>Cheryl, 66: Retired IRS employee<br>Lisa, 66: State park employee<br>Alexandra, 67: Luxury yacht sales representative<br>Diane, 71: Librarian<br>Terri, 71: Cosmetic dentist<br>Lily, 72: Retired elementary school teacher<br>Andra, 77: Retired federal worker</p>
<p id=”par-9_37″>Given this range, Mel is eight years older than the youngest contestant and 11 years younger than the oldest contestant. Most of the other women are between 62-63 — just a few years younger than he is.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-the-former-nfl-linebacker-wants-bachelor-nation-fans-to-give-him-a-second-chance”>The former NFL linebacker wants Bachelor Nation fans to give him a ‘second chance’</h2>
<p id=”par-10_28″>Mel Owens knows his comments regarding age were out of bounds — and he hopes <em>The Golden Bachelor</em> Season 2 viewers can give him a chance at redemption.</p>
<p id=”par-11_17″>“I’d say tune in, give me a second chance,” he told <a href=”https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2025/09/24/golden-bachelor-mel-owens-finding-love/86043995007/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>USA Today</a>. “Make your own evaluation.”</p>
<p id=”par-12_29″>A preview of the premiere posted to <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/p/DO-dITcgYCs/?hl=en” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Instagram</a> shows just how impressed Mel is with the women on his season. This might prove that age is just a number.</p>
<p id=”par-13_24″>“These are the most extraordinary women I’ve met,” Mel says. “If this is how it’s going to be, this is great. I’m blown away.”</p>
<p id=”par-14_19″><em>The Golden Bachelor</em> Season 2 premieres with two episodes on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.</p>