Former NFL linebacker, Mel Owens who is set to be the lead in The Golden Bachelor has become one of the most trending celebrities on the internet right now. The 66-year-old, who played with Los Angeles Rams for 9 seasons, has sparked a controversy from his stint before the season’s premiere on September 24, 2025. During an earlier event, Mel told host, Jesse Palmer that he wouldn’t date women older than 60. He went on to insist that he wanted someone “honest, charming, loving, fit, and full of life.” These comments drew immediate criticism. Several viewers were quick to point out that his ex-wife had once predicted his preferences could stir debate.
Why did Mel Owens and his wife, Fabiana Pimentel divorce?
Mel Owens, a retired athlete and a sports attorney, recently went through a lengthy and expensive divorce from his former wife, Fabiana Pimentel Owens. Some leaked Court filings from Orange County, California, show that Fabiana filed for divorce in February 2020. She cited they were facing irreconcilable differences after more than 17 years of marriage. But Mel Owens revealed during The Golden Bachelor premiere that the real reason behind their split was her “falling for someone else.” During another conversation to US Weekly in September 2025, Mel admitted his divorce was painful, but said:
“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.”