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Joan Vassos<\/a> is getting love from Bachelor Nation! The same day that the\u00a0<\/span>Golden Bachelor<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/em>alum <\/span>was announced<\/a> as the first-ever leading lady for\u00a0<\/span>The Golden Bachelorette<\/a><\/em>, her ex, <\/span>Gerry Terry<\/a>, and the women of the series took to social media to react to the news.<\/span><\/p>\n “Dear Joan, Congratulations on being named the first ever Golden Bachelorette,” Gerry <\/span>wrote on Instagram<\/a>. “You will be phenomenal as the the new representation of the generation. From one Golden to another… relax, breathe and enjoy.”<\/span><\/p>\n Theresa Nist<\/a>, <\/span>Gerry’s ex-wife<\/a>, spoke out on her Instagram Story, <\/span>writing<\/a>, “My dear friend, Joan, I am so excited for you!”<\/span><\/p>\n Leslie Fhima <\/span>wrote<\/a> that she was “happy for my friend,” Nancy\u00a0Hulkower <\/span>said<\/a> she was wishing Joan “luck,” and Natascha Hardee <\/span>expressed<\/a> her congratulations.<\/span><\/p>\n On her own Instagram Story, Joan wrote that she was “honored” to take on the role, adding that she’s “positively overwhelmed by all the love and support.”<\/span><\/p>\n Joan appeared on\u00a0<\/span>The Golden Bachelor<\/span><\/em>, but\u00a0<\/span>she self-eliminated<\/a>\u00a0from the show when a medical concern with her daughter arose.<\/span><\/p>\n ABC revealed Joan’s casting on Tuesday, sharing that the 61-year-old school administrator from Rockland, Maryland, would be back to star in her own love story.<\/span><\/p>\n Joan, whose husband died after 32 years of marriage, is a remarkable woman whose life has been defined by her resilience, zest for adventure and strong family values.<\/span><\/p>\n She remains an embodiment of strength and grace as a devoted mother of four and grandmother of two, while finding solace in the music of Elton John, spending time with her dog, and cooking.<\/span><\/p>\n Now, as she steps into the golden spotlight and begins her journey to seek love once more, Joan envisions a future filled with shared moments by the beach and cherished time with family.<\/span><\/p>\n After she left\u00a0<\/span>The Golden Bachelor\u00a0<\/span><\/em>of her own volition,\u00a0<\/span>Joan spoke out<\/a>\u00a0on Instagram, and expressed her hope that she’d find love one day.<\/span><\/p>\n With that in mind, when\u00a0<\/span>ET spoke to Joan<\/a>\u00a0at the “Women Tell All” taping, she said simply of\u00a0<\/span>The Golden Bachelorette<\/span><\/em>, “I think I’d say yes.”<\/span><\/p>\n The Golden Bachelorette\u00a0<\/span><\/em>will air Wednesdays this fall on ABC.<\/span><\/p>\n RELATED CONTENT:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n