Golden Bachelor Mel Owens‘ love story with former firefighter and bomb tech Peg Munson has come to an end.
During season 2 of The Golden Bachelor — which aired from September to November 2025 — Mel had strong connections with his final two women, Peg and Cindy Cullers. In the finale, Cindy eliminated herself over fears that Mel wasn’t ready to get married, which led Mel to choose Peg.
“I trusted you, you trusted me and you told me you had confidence in me that I’d make the right choice and here you are. I have something for you,” Mel told Peg before revealing a ring that represented their “commitment” instead of an engagement.
Following the end of the series, Mel and Peg confirmed they were still together in November 2025— but both wanted to wait before taking a step toward marriage.
“We really sat down and talked about it,” Peg told Us Weekly, noting that she and Mel talked about engagement in the fantasy suite. “‘How does this look for us going, moving forward? What does this relationship look like?’ You know, in real time, not in fantasy land, but in real time. ‘How are we going to merge our lives? And what does that look like?’ And we were basically on the same page.”
Peg explained that she and Mel were “looking for something that lasts.”
“We’re not looking to go into a marriage or an engagement and then three months later, say, ‘Nope, I’m sorry. You know, it didn’t work out,’” she told Us. “We want something that has a firm foundation that we can build on and build on for the rest of our lives.”
Nearly one year after their final rose ceremony, Peg announced that she’d made “the difficult decision to step away from the relationship” with Mel.
“Right now, I’m just focusing on healing my heart and focusing on myself, my health and looking forward to the next chapter,” she explained via an Instagram statement in October 2026. “I really do just wish Mel the best of luck and I’m very grateful for the experience.”
Keep scrolling to learn more about Mel and Peg’s relationship:
1st Night
Peg exited the limo wearing a bomb diffusion suit and set down a ticking bomb — which set off the tiniest explosion.
“If this is any indication of our love, we’re in trouble,” she joked to Mel.
Although Gerri Flowers ended up with the first impression rose, Peg received a regular rose that night.
1st One-On-One Date
During episode 3, Peg was chosen for a solo date with Mel where they headed to the Orange County Fair. The couple had a good time while going on rides, eating corn dogs and drinking beer.
“She’s a badass, which I like,” Mel said during a confessional.
The twosome discussed Peg’s firefighter career and raising her daughter alone while Mel shared about his life after football and divorce. Peg and Mel ended the date with a passionate kiss.
Meeting Peg’s Family
For Peg’s hometown in Las Vegas, she gave Mel a tour of the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue headquarters where she worked for 22 years.
“I’m not looking for the fireworks, because I had them, and they don’t work,” she explained to Mel. “I’m looking for a fireplace, the slow burn that grows. The real deal.”
Peg introduced Mel to her daughter Dakota, as well Dakota’s boyfriend, Kohl, her brother, Guy, and sister-in-law Brenda.
Dakota asked a bunch of questions to Mel that he had trouble answering including whether he was in love with her mom.
“I’m not in love with your mom, yet,” he explained, noting he didn’t know if he could get there by the end or date one of the women after the show.
Dakota later told the camera that Mel’s answers were “not necessarily what [she] wanted to hear for where they’re at in this process.”
“Nor do I think that’s what my mom deserves,” she added. “I wish he was more sure of where his feelings were at.”
Dakota voiced her concerns to her mom, saying, “My biggest concern is that you’re not being appreciated as much as you should.”
Fantasy Suites
For their fantasy suite date in Antigua, Mel picked up Peg in a dune buggy before having a candlelit dinner on the beach.
“I really like you a lot,” Mel gushed. “It’s almost too good to be true. I love being around you, and I love the way you talk to me, and what you make me feel. You’re beautiful, and I like your energy and your spirit. I really do.”
Season 2 Golden Bachelor Mel Owens is down to his final three. The 66-year-old former NFL player (turned lawyer turned reality TV personality) handed out three roses on the Wednesday, October 15, episode of the ABC series, giving Peg, Debbie and Cindy coveted hometown dates. “Your families, of course, are your biggest protectors and have […]
Mel invited Peg into the fantasy suite, and in the morning, Mel told the cameras that Peg and him “connected on a whole bunch of levels.”
“Knowing her a little bit better, obviously brings me a little bit closer to her,” he explained in the confessional. “I have an even better understanding of who she is, and we’re quite compatible.”
The Finale
During the finale, Mel walked into the sunset with Peg, telling her that he has “something” for her. He revealed a ring, claiming that it represented their “commitment.”
Although Mel didn’t formally propose, Peg was convinced she found the “perfect” guy for her.
“I’m not for everybody, he’s not for everybody, but we’re for each other,” she said in a confessional.
After the Final Rose
During their After the Final Rose appearance in November 2025, Mel and Peg said that they are still together — but in no rush to get engaged.
“You know what’s nice about being in your 60s and going through life, you get to write your own love story — and we’re on the same page,” Peg explained to host Jesse Palmer. “That’s a love story the way that we get to do it, and to continue to grow our love, continue to spend time with our families and that’s the nice part about being in your 60s in your golden years is being able to do what you want to with that connection you have with someone.”
Golden Bachelor Mel Owens is narrowing down his list of potential matches ahead of meeting their loved ones. “There’s only three families that I’m going to meet next week. Choosing is going to be tough. But I’m looking for love, I’m looking for that special feeling with one of these women,” Mel, 66, said during […]
Although Mel wouldn’t be proposing soon, the couple both confirmed they’re “in love” with each other.
“I saw our love grow all the way through, and it’s special when it’s the right person,” Mel shared. “We’ve spent some time together and we had moments together. We had some time and one thing that I love about her is the energy and the get up and go [attitude].”
The Breakup
Peg broke Bachelor Nation’s hearts in October 2026 when she confirmed she’d ended her relationship with Mel.
“I did have to make the difficult decision to step away from the relationship. Sometimes even when there’s love, it just doesn’t turn out the way we hoped,” she explained to fans via Instagram at the time.
Wishing Mel “the best of luck,” Peg stressed that their breakup was “not the end of [her] story,” rather it was “the beginning of a new chapter.”
“I really want to thank everybody for being on this journey with me for the past year,” she added in a video statement. “I’m really sorry that I haven’t spoken out sooner but it’s been a really difficult 30 days for me. As a lot of you guys know, I went on The Golden Bachelor hoping to find love and I did. For that, I’m grateful.”
Mel did not initially comment on his split from Peg.
