The Golden Bachelorette’s Mark Anderson appears to be in a new relationship now, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t beThe Golden Bachelorsomeday. The 58-year-old widower won hearts when he made his television debut duringThe Bachelorseason 28. His Cinderella story began when his daughter, Kelsey Anderson, brought Joey Graziadei to meet her father during hometown dates. Mark won viewers over with his silent strength and his enduring love for his late wife, Denise Anderson. When Mark gifted Joey and Kelsey a photo album of his love story with Denise, a star was born.
Bachelor Nation fans immediately clamored for Mark to be cast as the nextThe Golden Bachelor. When he was selected to be a contestant onThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, it was speculated that it was just a stepping stone to Mark leading his own season. When Joan Vassos eliminated Mark, manyfans expected an announcement that he was the newGolden Bachelor. The announcement never came, and Mark was spotted with a new potential romantic interest. Though Mark’s future asThe Golden Bachelorappears to have been sidelined by a relationship, that doesn’t mean hisBachelorjourney is over.
Mark’s Allegedly In A Relationship
Prince Charming Meets Cinderella
On the first night ofThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, Mark stepped out of the limousine alongside his daughter, Kelsey. Kelsey ended up winning Joey’s final rose onThe Bachelorseason 28, so she was already a majorBachelorcelebrity with a massive social media following. Kelsey was there to introduce her father to Joan. It seemed like a great idea at the time, but, in hindsight, it turned their meeting into a gimmick, obliterating any chance at initial chemistry. As the season progressed,things didn’t improve between Mark and Joan, who simply never found their spark.
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After a particularly awkward solo date, Joan told Mark that there was “something missing"between them, and sent him home before hometown dates. Mark was devastated by the elimination, but he expressed deep gratitude for his time on the show. He hadn’t dated much since his beloved late wife, Denise,died in 2018 after 18 years of marriage. Being on the show opened Mark’s heart to the possibility of finding love again, and for that, he was grateful.
Mark was crushed after being eliminated fromThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, but he wasn’t down for long. During Halloween,Barbara Alyn Woods, a television actress from the CW’s drama seriesOne Tree Hill,posted an Instagram photo that raised eyebrows and set tongues wagging. In the photo,Mark is dressed in a Prince Charming costume and Barbara is dressed as Cinderella. Also in the photo is Barbara’s daughter dressed as Yoda fromStar Wars. The post has over 6K likes, and Barbara’s caption reads, “When Cinderella and Prince Charming have a baby…”
Kelsey Posted A Major Clue
Mark & Barbara Spent Christmas Together
While speculations about their relationship status ran amok online, Mark and Barbara didn’t confirm or deny any of the rumors. They seemed to bask in the fact that everyone was confused. While Mark and Barbara stayed quiet about their status,Kelseyrecently posted Anderson family holiday photos that may have subtly confirmed her father’s relationship status. In the photo, Mark, his children, and their significant others pose on a stairway in matching pajamas, andBarbara is clearly there with Mark.It’s easy to read this as validation thatMark and Barbara are a couple.
Kelsey’s post wasn’t the only time someone seemed to confirm that Mark was in a relationship.
In November 2024, Kathy Swarts from the cast ofThe Golden Bachelorseason 1 may have let the cat out of the bag.Kathyposted an Instagram photo of her and Mark smiling side by side, and her caption reads, “He isn’t mine AND this is a fine guy who has found his happy.” Herstatement seemed to imply that Mark belongs to someone, which wouldmake him ineligible to beThe Golden Bachelor.
Mark Gets Hit On Often
“I Would Love To Get To Know You”
Mark may have had trouble meeting womensince the death of his late wife, but, since appearing onThe BachelorandThe Golden Bachelorette, Mark gets plenty of offers. His Instagramcomment sections are filled with women wanting to date Mark.Markrecentlyposted an Instagram clip of himself getting a hair cut, and a brief scrolling through the comments finds several romantic hopefuls shooting their shot. One particular direct comment reads, “Mark, I fell in love with you when I first saw you on Joey’s season at the hometown’s. I would love to get to know you.”
Mark Could Still Be The Golden Bachelor
He’s Got Plenty Of Time
Since even before Mark appeared onThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, he was expected to be cast asThe Golden Bachelor.Being in a relationship would obviously make Mark ineligible, but things could change. Itwould be great if Mark really found his Cinderella, but, if things don’t work out between him and Barbara,Mark has plenty of timeto appear on anotherBachelorshow.
Mark is only 58 years old, so he has plenty of time to beThe Golden Bachelor.
Mark isBachelorNation royalty. In addition to appearing onThe BachelorandThe Golden Bachelorette,his daughter, Kelsey, is a majorBachelorcelebrity. Since Mark is already a mainstay of theGolden Bachelorbrand, hewill always be part of theGolden Bachelorfamily. That means, if Mark and Barbara end up falling in love and getting married, their relationship would still be part of theBachelorfranchise.
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