The much-anticipated golden bachelor finale of The Golden Bachelor Season 2 reached its conclusion on November 12, 2025, when 66-year-old lead Mel Owens finally made his choice. According to veteran spoiler-reporter Reality Steve, Owens selected 62-year-old retired firefighter and bomb technician Peg Munson over 60-year-old retired biomedical engineer Cindy Cullers.
Below is a detailed recap of the finale, the key moments that led up to that decision, and what’s next for the couple and the franchise.
Table of Contents
Final Two & Fantasy Suite Week
During the lead-up to the finale, Mel brought his final two contestants—Peg and Cindy—to the scenic island of Antigua for Fantasy Suite dates, a staple of the Bachelor franchise.
Peg’s Date
- Mel and Peg went off-road in a dune buggy, shared champagne at an ocean overlook and Calmed toward intimacy.
- Peg told Mel she has “had her heart broken several times” and didn’t want to get hurt again. Meanwhile Mel said, “I love being around you… I like your energy and your spirit.” But he still stopped short of saying “I love you.”
- At the end of the date he gave her a key to the suite; he described saying “The way Peg looks at me—that’s love.”
Cindy’s Date
- Mel and Cindy took a boat to Stingray Bay and swam with stingrays (though Mel admitted fear of them).
- Cindy told Mel she was falling in love. He told her he was “open,” he “could see a life with her,” but again wouldn’t say “I love you” outright.
- A teaser clip revealed Mel telling Cindy he was “torn between you and Peg.”
Final Decision in the Golden Bachelor Finale
- In the final episode, Mel’s family arrived in Antigua to meet both finalists before the final rose ceremony.
- According to spoiler reports, Mel ultimately directed the final rose to Peg Munson.
- While the finale aired on November 12, a blog post dated November 12 stated that Munson “ultimately received Owens’ coveted final rose.”
Why the Choice Went to Peg
From the public commentary and clips:
- Mel repeatedly expressed stronger “magnetism… pulling you in” toward one person.
- Peg’s date appeared more emotionally grounded: she acknowledged her guarded heart and asked Mel to show deeper vulnerability. Mel responded more candidly with Peg.
- Cindy’s date had emotional high-points, but Mel seemed less settled; his “torn” admission signaled he wasn’t fully ready to commit to her.
- Ultimately the combination of longstanding emotional readiness (Peg’s prior experiences) and Mel’s stronger connection tipped the scales.
What Happens Next – Engagement Status & After the Final Rose
- While no official televised proposal was confirmed prior to the airing, multiple reports indicate Mel and Peg are engaged.
- The post-finale special (After the Final Rose) will likely reveal the full details of the engagement and their wedding plans.
- Given the popularity of the show and the precedent set by Season 1, this season’s winners will remain in the public eye as Bachelor Nation watches to see if the match endures.
Viewer Reaction & Franchise Impact
- The Golden Bachelor’s Season 2 finale marks another mature-aged romantic journey in the franchise, appealing to an older U.S. audience segment just as much as younger viewers.
- Some discussion online focused on Mel’s hesitancy to use “love” and the emotional pacing of the show. Others celebrated the candidness and maturity of the contestants.
- Given that Season 1 ended in a televised wedding (which later ended in divorce), many fans will be watching Mel & Peg’s next moves closely.
Key Timeline: Golden Bachelor Season 2
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sep 24 2025 | Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor premiered on ABC. |
| Early Nov 2025 | Fantasy Suite week in Antigua with final two contestants. |
| Nov 12 2025 | Finale airs; Mel gives final rose to Peg Munson. |
| Post‐Finale | Engagement rumors circulate; After the Final Rose special to clarify. |
Final Thoughts
The golden bachelor finale of Season 2 delivered the mix of romance, vulnerability and suspense audiences expect from the franchise — and it chose Peg Munson as the winner of Mel Owens’ heart. With the future of their relationship now public, fans will be watching closely to see whether this mature-aged love story has the endurance to match the excitement of its conclusion.
What do you think about Mel’s choice? Will Peg and Mel make it long-term, or will there be twists ahead? Let us know in the comments — and stay tuned for updates as the story unfolds.