Reality TV News
Mel Owens’ comments about age have ‘Golden Bachelor’ fans concerned; now they are looking at his first marriage for signs of trouble.
Mel Owens has managed to turn an audience against him before ever setting foot in the bachelor mansion, now, fans are looking at his ex-wife. That has to be some sort of record. The second-ever golden bachelor made waves when he took to a podcast to reveal he will only be entertaining women under the age of 60 on his season of The Golden Bachelor. While Owens, who is 66, is being lambasted for his ageist take, it’s apparently nothing new. Owens didn’t just develop a penchant for much younger women. His ex-wife is nearly two decades his junior, too.
Who is Mel Owens?
Mel Owens will be the second golden bachelor, if his season ever makes it to air. ABC named the former NFL linebacker the second-ever golden bachelor in April. The announcement sent shockwaves through Bachelor Nation. Still, it ended weeks of lively debate and guesses. While this will be the former athlete’s first foray into reality TV, he’s had an interesting life. Owens spent nine seasons playing in the NFL before transitioning into a career as a financial advisor and later a lawyer. He has had plenty of adventures, is an active father, and is, apparently, seeking out his “perfect teammate.”
While Owens seems good on paper, he hasn’t exactly endeared himself to the show’s target demographic. Owens is already embroiled in controversy after saying he would “cut” contestants older than 60 and those with “artificial hips and wigs” during an appearance on a podcast. The remarks ignited criticism, with fans calling the senior out for ageism and superficiality, especially given the show’s premise of showcasing senior romance. The comments show Owens’ clear preference, but that should have been apparent based on his dating history.
How old is Mel Owens’ ex-wife?
Before signing up for The Golden Bachelor, Mel Owens was married for nearly 18 years to a woman he described as his “first love” before she filed for divorce. According to court documents, Fabiana Pimentel, Owens’ ex-wife, a professional organizer, filed for divorce from him in February 2020. The duo last modified their custody agreement in 2022.
Owens met Pimentel while he was working as a lawyer in California. While he’s never mentioned her age, online sleuths believe Pimentel is 47 now, making her 19 years younger than her ex-husband. She would have been 24 when they tied the knot. Owens was already in his 40s.
Owens’s podcast comments are ringing alarm bells for fans, who are now scrutinizing things he’s said in passing. For example, it now seems a bit odd that the former NFL linebacker called Pimental his “first love” when they met when he was already middle-aged. Owens did not give a reason for their split. Court documents cite irreconcilable differences. The season does not yet have a release date.
