![Image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNzhjZDk2NWUtYWMxOS00ZjE2LWFhZGItNDgwYWEwYTU2NzYyXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UX500_CR0,24,500,281_.jpg)
It’s hard to believe that The Bachelor first premiered in 2002. Since then, the show has gone through many changes while still staying the same franchise that fans know and love. Here’s a look at what happened to the first three Bachelors, Alex Michel, Aaron Buerge, and Andrew Firestone.
(L-r) Amanda Marsh and Alex Michel | Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Alex Michel was the first star of ‘The Bachelor’
The Bachelor first premiered on ABC in March 2002. Michel was cast as the first person to take on the leading role in the show.
Even though The Bachelor franchise centers around a proposal happening, Michel did not actually propose to anyone during his season. Instead, Michael chose to keep dating contestant Amanda Marsh after the show.
A little less than a year after the first season of The Bachelor aired, Michel and Marsh announced their breakup.
(L-r) Amanda Marsh and Alex Michel | Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Alex Michel was the first star of ‘The Bachelor’
The Bachelor first premiered on ABC in March 2002. Michel was cast as the first person to take on the leading role in the show.
Even though The Bachelor franchise centers around a proposal happening, Michel did not actually propose to anyone during his season. Instead, Michael chose to keep dating contestant Amanda Marsh after the show.
A little less than a year after the first season of The Bachelor aired, Michel and Marsh announced their breakup.
- 3/17/2023
- by Eryn Murphy
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
![Alex Michel in The Bachelor (2002)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTU3Njc2MjQyMV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwMDk3ODY3._V1_QL75_UY207_CR7,0,140,207_.jpg)
![Alex Michel in The Bachelor (2002)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTU3Njc2MjQyMV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwMDk3ODY3._V1_QL75_UY207_CR7,0,140,207_.jpg)
On March 25, 2002, ABC introduced to the world a show that took one man’s search for Ms. Right and, with the help of some alleged post-production trickery and the casting of some beyond wackadoo hopefuls, turned it into a reality-tv phenomenon which has since spawned multiple STDs spin-offs.
We’re of course talking about The Bachelor, which on this day marks its 15th anniversary.
VideosRachel Lindsay Confirmed as First Black Bachelorette
Since inaugural suitor Alex Michel, the ABC franchise has helped 19 other eligible bachelors on their quest for “true love,” most recently bringing together Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi in the Season 21 finale.
We’re of course talking about The Bachelor, which on this day marks its 15th anniversary.
VideosRachel Lindsay Confirmed as First Black Bachelorette
Since inaugural suitor Alex Michel, the ABC franchise has helped 19 other eligible bachelors on their quest for “true love,” most recently bringing together Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi in the Season 21 finale.
- 3/25/2017
- TVLine.com
![Joey Graziadei in The Bachelor (2002)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTIwM2JiOWMtYzJjOC00MjhlLThlOTUtYTA4NWM4MjRkMjAxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzQ2MDI5NjU@._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,1,140,207_.jpg)
![Joey Graziadei in The Bachelor (2002)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTIwM2JiOWMtYzJjOC00MjhlLThlOTUtYTA4NWM4MjRkMjAxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzQ2MDI5NjU@._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,1,140,207_.jpg)
They were always there "for all the right reasons." And even now, after 25 combined seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, fans still haven't gotten tired of the drama, cat fights, and hot tub hijinks that make for an amazing season.
Who should win as the best Bachelor of all: Jake Pavelka, who chose bad-girl Vienna only to break up with her in a vicious televised special? Sean Lowe, who vowed to hold off on sex with his pick, Catherine Giudici, until their summer 2013 wedding night? Or Jason Mesnick, who popped the question to Melissa Rycroft, then pulled a switcheroo at the reunion?...
Who should win as the best Bachelor of all: Jake Pavelka, who chose bad-girl Vienna only to break up with her in a vicious televised special? Sean Lowe, who vowed to hold off on sex with his pick, Catherine Giudici, until their summer 2013 wedding night? Or Jason Mesnick, who popped the question to Melissa Rycroft, then pulled a switcheroo at the reunion?...
- 4/5/2013
- People.com - TV Watch
![Joey Graziadei in The Bachelor (2002)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTIwM2JiOWMtYzJjOC00MjhlLThlOTUtYTA4NWM4MjRkMjAxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzQ2MDI5NjU@._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,1,140,207_.jpg)
![Joey Graziadei in The Bachelor (2002)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTIwM2JiOWMtYzJjOC00MjhlLThlOTUtYTA4NWM4MjRkMjAxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzQ2MDI5NjU@._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,1,140,207_.jpg)
They were always there "for all the right reasons." And even now, after 25 combined seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, fans still haven't gotten tired of the drama, cat fights, and hot tub hijinks that make for an amazing season. Who should win as the best Bachelor of all: Jake Pavelka, who chose bad-girl Vienna only to break up with her in a vicious televised special? Sean Lowe, who vowed to hold off on sex with his pick, Catherine Giudici, until their summer 2013 wedding night? Or Jason Mesnick, who popped the question to Melissa Rycroft, then pulled a switcheroo at the reunion?...
- 4/5/2013
- PEOPLE.com
Though it turns out it wasn't meant to be with Bachelor Aaron Buerge from season two of ABC's hit The Bachelor, it looks like Helene Eksterowicz has found love after all.
Helene, 37, who Aaron proposed to in the season finale but split just five weeks later, is engaged to Andrew Goodman, a senior technology consultant for Ibm. The two have been dating for a year and a half, and she couldn't be happier.
Pics: Meet Newest 'Bachelor' Sean Lowe's Lucky Ladies
"We are very happy about planning our future together," she tells People. "Andrew is a great guy – handsome, loving, family-oriented, hardworking and very non-Hollywood, which is perfect!"
Helene, a middle school psychologist, plans to marry this summer.
Video: Chris Harrison -- Sean Is Most Sincere 'Bachelor' Ever
Aaron has since moved on from their broken engagement as well -- he married Angye McIntosh, his hometown sweetheart, in 2009.
Helene, 37, who Aaron proposed to in the season finale but split just five weeks later, is engaged to Andrew Goodman, a senior technology consultant for Ibm. The two have been dating for a year and a half, and she couldn't be happier.
Pics: Meet Newest 'Bachelor' Sean Lowe's Lucky Ladies
"We are very happy about planning our future together," she tells People. "Andrew is a great guy – handsome, loving, family-oriented, hardworking and very non-Hollywood, which is perfect!"
Helene, a middle school psychologist, plans to marry this summer.
Video: Chris Harrison -- Sean Is Most Sincere 'Bachelor' Ever
Aaron has since moved on from their broken engagement as well -- he married Angye McIntosh, his hometown sweetheart, in 2009.
- 1/23/2013
- Entertainment Tonight
There weren't 29 million people watching this proposal – which was just fine by Helene Eksterowicz.
The Bachelor alum, 37, to whom Aaron Buerge popped the question during the show's second season finale, only to split five weeks later, is engaged once again.
The lucky man? Andrew Goodman, a senior technology consultant for Ibm whom Eksterowicz has been dating for a year and a half.
"We are very happy about planning our future together," the middle school psychologist tells People.
Goodman proposed during a birthday trip to the Poconos last weekend, catching Eksterowicz off-guard.
"I thought we were just going up there to celebrate my birthday,...
The Bachelor alum, 37, to whom Aaron Buerge popped the question during the show's second season finale, only to split five weeks later, is engaged once again.
The lucky man? Andrew Goodman, a senior technology consultant for Ibm whom Eksterowicz has been dating for a year and a half.
"We are very happy about planning our future together," the middle school psychologist tells People.
Goodman proposed during a birthday trip to the Poconos last weekend, catching Eksterowicz off-guard.
"I thought we were just going up there to celebrate my birthday,...
- 1/22/2013
- by Aili Nahas
- People.com - TV Watch
There weren't 29 million people watching this proposal - which was just fine by Helene Eksterowicz. The Bachelor alum, 37, to whom Aaron Buerge popped the question during the show's second season finale, only to split five weeks later, is engaged once again. The lucky man? Andrew Goodman, a senior technology consultant for Ibm whom Eksterowicz has been dating for a year and a half. "We are very happy about planning our future together," the middle school psychologist tells People. Goodman proposed during a birthday trip to the Poconos last weekend, catching Eksterowicz off-guard. "I thought we were just going up there to celebrate my birthday,...
- 1/22/2013
- by Aili Nahas
- PEOPLE.com
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