The Golden Bachelorette season 1 contestant Mark Anderson was married to his late wife, Denise Anderson, for 18 years before she passed away in 2018. 57-year-old Mark is Bachelor Nation royalty, having made his television debut during The Bachelor season 28. His daughter, 25-year-old Kelsey Anderson, was one of the women competing for 28-year-old Joey Graziadei's final rose, and she brought her new boyfriend home during overnight dates, along with a full camera crew.
Mark, a retired Army veteran, made an immediate impression on Bachelor Nation fans, and it wasn't much of a surprise when he was cast in The Golden Bachelorette season 1. Mark is among the 24 eligible older men vying for 65-year-old Joan Vassos' heart, and her final rose. Mark, a single father of five, was deeply in love with his late wife, and here's what we know about Kelsey's mother, Denise.
Who Was Denise Anderson?
A Woman In Uniform
Like Mark, Denise was also an Army officer, and the couple met while they were both serving the country. Denise was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and, according to Kelsey, her mother died only two months after finding out she was sick. The whole Anderson family was devastated by the surprising loss, and it was difficult for Mark to move on.
Mark has been single ever since and is now giving love another shot on The Golden Bachelorette season 1. Kelsey recently posted an Instagram photo of her parents taken way back in the day when her parents were younger.
Denise & Kelsey Were Very Close
Her Mother Was Her Best Friend
During an episode of The Bachelor season 28, during a date with Joey, Kelsey talked about how she and her father weren't very close while she was growing up because he worked so much. After Kelsey's mother passed away, Mark became a single father of five, and he and Kelsey grew much closer. These days, Kelsey relies on her father's judgment throughout her life, and he can often be found co-starring in his famous daughter's TikToks.
What Happened Between Mark & Joan Vassos?
Spoilers Ahead
Bachelor Nation On ABC recently released a trailer for The Golden Bachelorette season 1 on YouTube. The clip begins with 26-year-old Kelsey stepping out of the limousine on night one and telling Joan that there's someone she'd like to introduce her to. When Mark stepped out of the limousine, Joan beamed, expressing real excitement over meeting the tall, handsome fellow widower. Though Joan seemed truly excited about meeting Kelsey's father, the reality television reporter Reality Steve revealed that Mark was not one of Joan's final two men or the winner of Joan's heart.
