Before ABC officially chose the leading lady for The Golden Bachelorette, producers reportedly considered one of television’s most recognizable stars: Susan Lucci.
The legendary actress, famous for playing Erica Kane on the long-running soap opera All My Children, revealed that she had been approached about becoming the first woman to lead the senior-focused Bachelor spinoff.
For Lucci, the offer arrived during a deeply personal chapter of her life.
Her husband, Helmut Huber, died in March 2022 at the age of 84. Lucci and Huber had shared more than five decades of marriage after exchanging vows in September 1969. Together, they raised two children and later welcomed grandchildren into their close-knit family.
Huber, an Austrian-born chef and businessman, remained beside Lucci throughout her remarkable television career. His death left a tremendous void, and Lucci has spoken openly about how difficult it has been to imagine moving forward without the man who had been her partner for 52 years.
That made ABC’s unexpected invitation particularly meaningful.
In an interview with People, Lucci confirmed that she had been contacted about possibly becoming The Golden Bachelorette. Although she appreciated being considered, she ultimately decided that taking part in a televised search for love was not the right step for her.
Interestingly, the actress admitted that she had become fascinated by the franchise from a viewer’s perspective. She described The Golden Bachelor as a surprising new favorite and said she found herself invested in the contestants’ emotional journeys.
ABC eventually chose Joan Vassos to become the first official Golden Bachelorette.
Vassos, who had previously appeared on the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor, quickly became a fan favorite. The 61-year-old widow made it clear that she was entering the experience for one important reason: she still believed in love.
During an appearance on the Bachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hour podcast, Joan explained that she wanted someone with whom she could share everyday life. After experiencing loss, she remained convinced that companionship could make the next stage of life richer and happier.
For Joan, the show also offered something dating apps could not: an opportunity to meet people who were ready for a serious emotional connection.
Susan Lucci may have declined the rose-filled adventure, but her revelation showed just how ambitious ABC’s plans for the new franchise had been.
And while viewers will never know what a season starring the soap-opera legend might have looked like, Lucci appears content to watch the romance unfold from home—while leaving open the possibility that life itself could still surprise her with a new chapter.
