The Golden Bachelor Season 2 is soon approaching its highly-awaited finale on Wednesday, 12, 2025. Amid the finale, viewers are eager to see whether former NFL star, Mel Owens will end his journey with an engagement or a surprise twist. The 66-year-old former NFL star, who has begun the journey on the show to find a new love, is reportedly down to two finalists: Cindy Cullers and Peg Munson. However, as viewers wait to see his final rose ceremony, Mel’s past marriage and alleged unpaid divorce settlement have surfaced online.
Why has Mel Owens’ divorce drama surfaced on the internet?
Mel Owens, a former star player for the Los Angeles Rams, is now facing criticism on the internet over his divorce from his ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel Owens. According to the court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Mel allegedly owes nearly USD 980,000 from his 2024 divorce settlement. The report mentioned that he has paid only USD 40,000 so far to his ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel. She allegedly addressed the situation and said:
“Mel has flagrantly violated the clear and unambiguous terms of the Judgment.”
Furthermore, the legal filings stated that interest on the unpaid balance is gathering daily at a rate of approximately USD 257.53 per day. Moreover, Fabiana has requested an additional USD 25,000 in attorney fees. As per the documents, Mel is even behind on his mortgage payments. In fact, he has previously missed paying his child and spousal support, despite earning around USD 20,000 every month in retirement income. Additionally, he has earned a significant amount from starring on The Golden Bachelor Season 2. However, neither Mel nor ABC has publicly commented on the allegations, leaving fans curious.
Who is Mel Owen’s ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel Owens?
Before joining The Golden Bachelor Season 2, Mel was married to Fabiana Pimentel Owens. She is nearly 20 years younger than him. They tied the knot in 2002 and spent around 25 years together before parting ways in 2020. They welcomed two sons, in their marriage, Lucas and Andre Owens, who both intend to follow in their father’s footsteps in baseball.
She is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Fabiana has built a successful career in hospitality and lifestyle management. She serves as the Director of Experiences at Preferred Hotels and Resorts in California. According to her LinkedIn profile, she previously founded Final Touch Organizing, a company that specializes in creating harmonious spaces using Feng Shui principles. Fabiana identifies herself as a Reiki and Theta Healing Practitioner who focuses on wellness and energy balance.
Fabiana had filed for divorce from Mel in February 2020, and the case had been pending for nearly five years before the judgment was issued in December 2024. According to US Weekly, the settlement required Mel to make a big equalization payment rather than ongoing spousal support, and Fabiana agreed to it. Yet, as of 2025, court filings claim that the majority of the payment remains unsettled. When she was asked by The Daily Mail about her ex-husband’s decision to join The Golden Bachelor, she gave a cryptic response and said:
“Good luck. I mean, it’s going to be bad. But anyway, I don’t want to be involved in this.”
Who is Mel Owens?
Mel Owens born in 1958 hails from Detroit in Michigan. He was a standout linebacker at the University of Michigan before joining Los Angeles Rams in the NFL draft of 1981. He played around 122 games from 1981 to 1989. However, a herniated disk ended his professional football career. After retiring, he pursued law, became a lawyer and co-founded the Southern California firm, Namanny Bryrne and Owens in 2006. It focused on representing athletes in disability and workers’ compensation cases.
As all eyes will be on Mel Owens at the The Golden Bachelor Season 2 finale. What do you think will the ship of his love sail or this new controversy will drown it at the shore? Let us know.
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