It’s over. The Golden Bachelor star Peg Munson is confirming that she has ended her relationship with Mel Owens.
“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,” Peg, 63, announced via Instagram on Wednesday, October 21. “Right now, I’m just focusing on healing my heart and focusing on myself, my health and looking forward to the next chapter. I really do just wish Mel the best of luck and I’m very grateful for the experience.”
Peg and Mel, 67, met and fell in love while filming the second season of ABC’s The Golden Bachelor. Last November’s dramatic finale saw Mel present his final rose to Peg — though he chose to give her a 3.5-carat diamond “commitment” ring designed by Neil Lane rather than pop the question.
On Wednesday, Peg assured Bachelor Nation that her split from Mel is “not the end of [her] story,” rather it was simply “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.”
She added later in the clip, “I’m grateful for the memories. And, most of all, I’m grateful for you all [the fans] along this journey and all the wonderful DMs I’ve been getting. All the messages I’ve been getting. Just all the kind words, love and support.”
Bachelor Nation rallied around Peg in the comment section of her Instagram post, with many fans praising the classy way she announced her split from Mel.
“Very mature message. Thank you. Prioritizing our needs is not always the easiest to navigate. Best wishes Peg,” one fan wrote to Peg, while another added, “So sorry to hear this and admire you – what a great story you had and you lead a real, authentic, beautiful life that inspires me and many others . wish you all the best / you seem like the real deal and an amazing woman and friend.”
Mel has not commented on his split from Peg as of publication.
Following the Golden Bachelor season 2 finale in November 2025, Peg confirmed in an exclusive interview with Us that she and Mel had discussed a potential engagement in the fantasy suite.
“We really sat down and talked about it,” Peg noted. “‘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.”
At the time, Peg shared with Us that she and Mel were getting to know each other before considering an engagement since both 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 clarified. “We want something that has a firm foundation that we can build on and build on for the rest of our lives.”
The Golden Bachelor airs on ABC.
