The Bachelor: Which Couples Are Still Together?
Since its debut in 2002, The Bachelor has captured the attention of millions of viewers, and for good reason. The show offers a unique premise: a group of single men or women compete for the affection of one person, eliminating contestants until just one is left standing. At the end of the season, the Bachelor or Bachelorette presents their final rose to their chosen partner and the couple rides off into the sunset.
But what happens after the show? Do these romantic connections last? Fans of the show have been curious about which couples have endured the test of time and which have fizzled out. In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at all of the couples that have been featured on The Bachelor and whether they’re still together today.
Last 10 Seasons of The Bachelor
Over the past decade, we’ve seen 10 seasons of The Bachelor, each with its successes and failures in terms of bringing couples together. Here’s a rundown of the winners and runners-up:
Season 24 (2020): Peter Weber and Madison Prewett did not end up together, and neither did he and his final pick, Hannah Ann Sluss. He is currently dating Kelley Flanagan, who was a contestant on his season.
Season 23 (2019): Colton Underwood and Cassie Randolph are still together and seem to be going strong.
Season 22 (2018): Arie Luyendyk Jr. broke up with his winner, Becca Kufrin, on camera and went back to his runner-up, Lauren Burnham. The couple got married in 2019 and have since welcomed two children.
Season 21 (2017): Nick Viall chose Vanessa Grimaldi, but the couple split a few months after the season finale aired.
Season 20 (2016): Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell got engaged on the season finale, but ended up breaking up less than a year later.
Season 19 (2015): Chris Soules and Whitney Bischoff were engaged at the end of the season, but called it quits a few months later.
Season 18 (2014): Juan Pablo Galavis chose Nikki Ferrell, but their relationship was rocky from the start and they eventually called it quits in 2015.
Season 17 (2013): Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici are still together today and have welcomed three children.
Season 16 (2012): Ben Flajnik and Courtney Robertson got engaged on the season finale, but ended up breaking up less than a year later.
Season 15 (2011): Brad Womack chose Emily Maynard, but the couple ended up splitting a few months later.
As you can see, the show has had a mixed track record when it comes to lasting relationships. So what’s the key to long-term success?
Bachelor Couples Still Together Today
Despite the many breakups that have occurred on The Bachelor, there are a handful of couples that have stood the test of time. Here’s a list of Bachelor couples that are still together today:
- Trista and Ryan Sutter (Season 1, 2002)
- Ashley and JP Rosenbaum (Season 7, 2011)
- Catherine and Sean Lowe (Season 17, 2013)
- Jade Roper and Tanner Tolbert (Season 2 of Bachelor in Paradise, 2015)
- Carly Waddell and Evan Bass (Season 3 of Bachelor in Paradise, 2016)
- Raven Gates and Adam Gottschalk (Season 4 of Bachelor in Paradise, 2017)
So what’s their secret to success? Each couple likely has their own unique formula, but here’s what they had to say:
- Trista and Ryan Sutter: “We kept our relationship private and didn’t let the public’s perception of us affect how we felt about each other.”
- Ashley and JP Rosenbaum: “We always put our marriage and relationship first, even above ourselves at times.”
- Catherine and Sean Lowe: “We have a strong foundation of faith and trust, which has been the key to our success.”
- Jade Roper and Tanner Tolbert: “We made sure to spend quality time together, even with the demands of our busy lives.”
- Carly Waddell and Evan Bass: “We’re best friends who can always rely on each other and support one another.”
- Raven Gates and Adam Gottschalk: “We communicate well and always make an effort to laugh and have fun together.”
Behind-the-Scenes Account
So what happens after the final rose ceremony? According to former Bachelor Sean Lowe, it takes “a lot of hard work” to make a long-term commitment work. In an interview with People, Lowe explained that he and his wife Catherine spent a lot of time getting to know each other off camera and building a strong foundation for their relationship. He also noted that finding a balance between their personal lives and their public image was a challenge, but one that they were able to overcome with open communication and a strong commitment to each other.
Bachelor Franchise Alums
Of course, not all Bachelor alums have been as lucky in love. Some couples have split publicly, while others have ended their relationships more quietly. In interviews with former contestants, several factors have been cited as contributing to the end of their relationships, including incompatible lifestyles, disagreements over future plans, and the pressure of maintaining a relationship in the public eye.
Despite the challenges, several former contestants have found love after leaving the show. For example, Kaitlyn Bristowe, who was the Bachelorette on Season 11, is now in a happy relationship with fellow Bachelor alum Jason Tartick. And Wells Adams, who appeared on Season 12 of The Bachelorette and Season 3 of Bachelor in Paradise, is engaged to actress Sarah Hyland.
Success Rate of The Bachelor
So what’s the overall success rate of The Bachelor? According to a report by E! News, of the 24 seasons of the show that have aired, only 11 couples are still together today. That’s a success rate of just 45%. However, it’s worth noting that several spinoffs of the show have had higher success rates. For example, five out of the six couples that got engaged on Season 1 of Bachelor in Paradise are still together today.
When it comes to what types of contestants are more likely to find love on the show, it seems that those who are able to build strong connections with the Bachelor or Bachelorette early on are more likely to go far in the competition. Contestants who are willing to be vulnerable and open up about their feelings also tend to be more successful, as they’re able to forge deeper connections with the lead.
Guide to Making Bachelor-Style Relationships Work
So what can we learn from the successes and failures of Bachelor couples? Here are a few tips for making Bachelor-style relationships work in real life:
- Put your relationship first, even above your own needs and desires
- Keep your relationship private and don’t let external pressures impact how you feel about each other
- Build a strong foundation of trust and open communication
- Spend quality time together, even with the demands of busy schedules
- Show support for each other and be willing to compromise
By following these tips and learning from the experiences of former Bachelor couples, it’s possible to make a long-term relationship work, whether you’re on a reality dating show or not.
Conclusion
From the early days of The Bachelor up to the most recent season, the show has provided viewers with a mix of heartwarming romance and heartbreaking breakups. While the success rate of the show may not be as high as some would hope, the enduring relationships of several Bachelor couples prove that finding love on a reality dating show is possible. By learning from the successes and failures of those who have come before, we can gain insight into what it takes to make a real-life relationship work.