In a moment on The Golden Bachelor, former NFL star Mel Owens opened up to contestant Nicolle Kate about the painful end of his 25-year marriage to Fabiana Pimentel. During a one-on-one date, the 66-year-old shared that his ex-wife was the one who decided to leave, a heart-wrenching experience that he is still working through as he searches for a second chance at love on national television.
The Emotional Conversation
During a recent episode of The Golden Bachelor season 2, a dinner date with 64-year-old yoga instructor Nicolle Kate took a deeply personal turn. The conversation moved to Mel’s past, specifically his long-term marriage to Fabiana Pimentel. The couple, who were married in 2002, separated in February 2020 after nearly two decades together. Their divorce was finalized years later in December 2024 after a lengthy legal process.
When Nicolle asked if he had intended for his marriage to last a lifetime, Mel responded with visible emotion, stating simply, “Well, I took the vow.” He revealed that it was his ex-wife who initiated the split. Mel explained that Fabiana, who is 19 years younger, wanted to experience other things in life. He described the moment she presented him with divorce papers as “heart-wrenching” and “really, really painful.” Despite this, when Nicolle asked if he would be open to marrying again, Mel confirmed that he would trust love again.
The Real Reason Behind the Split
While Mel attributed the split to their age difference and differing life goals during the date, he has provided more specific details elsewhere. During the season premiere, he revealed that the primary reason for the divorce was that Fabiana had fallen in love with someone else. This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that put immense strain on many relationships.
Mel has spoken about his philosophy regarding the split, stating, “I’m never going to get in the way of someone’s happiness. Life is short, and if you’re in love with somebody else, that’s fine.” He prioritized the well-being of their two teenage sons, Lucas and Andre, focusing on co-parenting and moving forward without creating further conflict.
A Costly Separation
The end of Mel’s marriage came with significant financial consequences. According to court documents from their divorce settlement, Mel was ordered to pay his ex-wife an equalization payment of $980,000. This sum was due on or before February 28, 2025.
In exchange for this payment, Fabiana waived her rights to ongoing spousal support and their marital home in Orange County, which Mel retained. However, reports indicated that as of recently, Mel had only paid $40,000 of this debt. The outstanding balance was accruing interest at a rate of $257.53 per day, and Fabiana had asked the court to enforce the sale of their California home to cover what she was owed.
A New Connection and Controversy
Mel’s candid conversation with Nicolle seemed to deepen their connection. He described their chemistry as genuine and something that “you can’t manufacture.” Nicolle accepted the rose he offered at the end of their date, and the two shared a kiss, suggesting a promising relationship.
However, Nicolle has since been cast in a different light on the show. In a later episode, she emerged as a potential villain after telling other women in the mansion that she was on the show for fame, not necessarily for love. She expressed a desire to achieve “Housewives status” and become an influencer, comments that shocked other contestants and viewers. Despite another contestant warning Mel that some women were not being “completely authentic,” he gave Nicolle the final rose of the evening, sending the woman who warned him home.
Who is Fabiana Pimentel?
Mel’s ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel, is a 47-year-old Brazilian-born entrepreneur. She is a business professional with a master’s degree in marketing from UCLA and currently works as the Director of Experiences at Preferred Hotels & Resorts. She is also a co-founder of a home organizing brand. When asked if she would be watching Mel’s journey on The Golden Bachelor, Fabiana offered a brief and stark warning: “Good luck. I mean, it’s going to be bad. But anyway, I don’t want to be involved in this.”
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