Who Went Home on Joan Vassos’ ‘Golden Bachelorette’ Premiere?

Sensitive Joan Vassos had to hit the pause button during her first ever rose ceremony as The Golden Bachelorette.

ABC’s inaugural senior female star, 61, didn’t want to send anyone home during Wednesday night’s heartwarming premiere.

The show started on an emotional note just like Gerry Turner’s popular The Golden Bachelor, in which contestant Joan had self-eliminate to care for her daughter.

But as The Golden Bachelorette, Joan ultimately had to cut six suitors.

The blonde beauty recently told Parade, “I have a zest for life. I love being with my family…[but] I’m also ready to have a life with a partner.”

So what happened tonight at the start of Joan’s journey? Read on to find out more!

What happened to Joan's husband on The Golden Bachelorette?

The private school administrator poignantly described her first and only love (so far), her late husband John Vassos, on her season premiere.

Joan recalled to cameras how she met John in 1983 and they fell in love and married.

“He just made life fun,” Joan said. “He made me feel visible every day.”

But one day, they were supposed to attend a lacrosse game and John told her, “I feel really lousy.” He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and rapidly declined. His weight dropped from 220 to 120 pounds.

One night at 1 a.m. Joan left John’s side to sleep, and when she returned at 3 a.m., she found him dead.

“I wasn’t there with him. I felt terrible,” Joan said in confessional.

Cameras showed mother of four visiting John’s grave and lamenting, “Poof, he was gone.”

After that, “I felt invisible,” Joan said.

However, the still-grieving star told cameras that now, “There’s room for somebody else.”

Who got the first impression rose tonight?

Joan gave her first impression rose to Keith. The 6'5" self-proclaimed "girl dad" arrived at Bachelor Mansion in a vintage '70s-style station wagon, which made Joan laugh.

He told cameras that due to his wife’s addiction issues, they had split up and he became a single parent to their daughters.

She called him a “big teddy bear kind of guy” and they kissed.

She told cameras she felt “safe” with the tall Californian.

Keith said, “Joan is so easy to talk to.”

According to his bio, Keith's life goal is to play a round of golf at Augusta National.

What were the men’s entrances like?

After Joan spoke with host Jesse Palmer, she was ready for her 24 prospects and the traditional parade of limos began!

Pascal, 69, told Joan he was from Paris, France but lived in Chicago now.

“I love your accent,” she told him.

Kim, 69, a retired Navy captain, arrived in full dress uniform and saluted Joan. He told cameras he was divorced in 1998, and then widowed when his second wife tragically died.

Chock, 60, arrived with some “chockonoodle” soup for her to taste.

Wearing a golden blindfold to show Joan how he also feels “invisible” at his age, Jonathan, 61, said he was a single dad.

Jordan, 61, told Joan he was impressed at her selflessness.

Dancing up to Joan made Gary stand out, while Bob filmed her with his movie camera.

But caterer Jack beat them all by serenading Joan with Frank Sinatra’s anthem, “My Way.”

Charles L., who was born in China, no doubt melted fans’ hearts with his video about being lonely after his wife of 36 years died.

He let Joan know she was in the driver’s seat: “Charles not in charge.”

Handsome ER doctor Guy sprayed cologne on himself so Joan would remember him. “He’s cute,” Joan told cameras.

Charles K. faked her out by hobbling up with a cane—then ditching it and doing push-ups!

How did Mark Anderson arrive?

As previously reported, Joey Graziadei’s Bachelor fiancé Kelsey Anderson arrived to introduce her widower father Mark Anderson to Joan.

Mark said his wife had “filled my heart completely,” but “there is room” for another woman now.

Who is Pascal on The Golden Bachelor?

Inside the mansion, Joan got to know the guys more.

Pascal, the French national living in Chicago, talked about his lifestyle, running a beauty salon and driving a fancy car.

He pulled Joan aside to tell her how successful he’d been after immigrating to Chicago. He asked what she was looking for and showed her a note from his son who said he would “kick ass.”

Pascal said they could hop on a plane and go to Paris!

“I’ve been wooed tonight by a Frenchman,” Joan gushed to cameras.

What happened during Joan's first rose ceremony?

Keith was already safe with his first impression rose, then Joan awarded roses to: Dan, Jonathan, Mark, Guy, Charles K., Gil, Gary, Pascal, Chock, Kim, Christopher, and Gregg.

Before handing out her 14^th rose, Joan got choked up and excused herself.

She told host Jesse how it wasn’t easy to send anyone home.

But the beauty got control of her emotions and continued the ceremony, giving additional roses to Charles L., Jordan, Bob and Michael. Her final rose went to “My Way” singer Jack.

Who went home tonight on The Golden Bachelorette premiere?

Bill, 68, a retired videographer from Portland, Oregon

David, 68, a rancher from Austin, Texas

Ken, 60, a property management treasurer from Peabody, Massachusetts

Pablo, 63, retired UN agency director from Cambridge, Maryland

RJ, 66, a financial advisor who hails from Irvine, California

Thomas, 62, Fire Department chief from New York City