Which Bachelors and Bachelorettes Didn't Get Engaged at the End?

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bachelor nation seasons that didnt end with engagements

Alex Michel

You may not remember Alex, who was actually the first-ever Bachelor. That’s right, the first season of the show actually didn’t end with a proposal. Instead, he asked Amanda to continue dating, and they did so for about a year before eventually splitting up.

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Jen Schefft

Only one Bachelorette ever ended the season without getting engaged, and that was season 3’s Jen. While both of her suitors did propose, she shut one down and told the other to hang onto the ring until they knew each other better. On the After the Final Rose special, she officially rejected his proposal, admitting they were “better as friends.”

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Bob Guiney

At the end of season 4, Bob wasn’t ready to propose, but he did give his winner Estella Gardinier a “promise ring.” Apparently, the promise wasn’t kept, because they broke up soon after the finale.

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Jesse Palmer

Jesse wasn’t ready to propose to Jessica Bowlin at the end of season five, but he did want to continue to date her. So instead, he offered up a one-way plane ticket for her to join him in New York City indefinitely. Unfortunately, they only lasted a few months. (Are you sensing a trend here?)

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Charlie O’Connell

At the end of season 7, Charlie wasn’t ready to get married to his winner Sarah Brice, but they did seriously date for a very long time! They dated from 2005-2007, then briefly split before reuniting in 2008. They later split again in 2010.

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Travis Stork

Travis — who is now a host on The Doctors — picked Sarah Stone at the end of his season, though he didn’t propose. They didn’t even make it as a couple to the pre-taped finale special a few months later.

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Prince Lorenzo Borghese

Lorenzo was the last of a three-year engagement drought on season 9. He also offered Jennifer Wilson a promise ring, but she never became his princess, as they split within a year.

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Brad Womack

How could anyone forget Brad? He was the first Bachelor to choose no one, and ended season 11 by dumping both women. He eventually came back to be the Bachelor again on season 15, and this time he proposed to Emily, but they broke up soon after.

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Juan Pablo Galavais

Juan Pablo chose Nikki Ferrell at the end of season 18, but didn’t propose. They eventually split.

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Colton Underwood

The season 23 star didn’t get to pop the question but left with a gorgeous girlfriend. However, things didn’t work out between them.

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Matt James

Although Matt told Rachael he “couldn’t propose” during the season 25 finale, he did say he could see her being his future wife. However, their romance did not last through the backlash she received for past racist actions.

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BONUS: Jason Mesnick

Sometimes the Bachelor doesn’t propose at all, and sometimes they propose twice. Yikes! Jason asked Melissa to marry him on the finale, but changed his mind on ATFR. Then he asked his runner-up Molly to reunite, and later proposed to her off-camera. At least that one stuck — they’re still together now!

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BONUS: Arie Luyendyk Jr.

Hard to believe such a wild situation would happen twice but it did! Arie proposed to Becca, then changed his mind and proposed to Lauren mere months later. However, it appeared to work out for the best. Arie and Lauren are married with children, and Becca got engaged to Garrett Yrigoyen during season 14. They were together for two years before ending things in 2020.

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Split Image of Peter Weber Bachelor and Contestants Madison and Hannah Ann

BONUS: Peter Weber

The pilot got engaged to contestant Hannah Ann Sluss during the season 24 finale in Australia. However, they split less than a month later because Peter still had feelings for his runner-up, Madison Prewett.
He and Madi briefly rekindled their romance after filming wrapped. They announced they were taking things “one day at a time” on After the Final Rose but ended things for good three days later. He is now dating former contestant Kelley Flanagan.

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NSFW! Former Bachelor Clayton Echard Responds to Photo of Girlfriend Susie Evans Choking Him in Bed

BONUS: Clayton Echard

Clayton Echard had a difficult season, to say the least. The collegiate football star sent Susie Evans home after the season 26 final three group trip to Iceland after her reaction to his admission that he slept with the other remaining women in the fantasy suite. She later returned after Clayton begged for a second chance and she met his parents. Clayton ended things with Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia and planned on proposing to Susie during the final rose ceremony.

However, the photographer wasn’t ready for an engagement and left the show. The pair quickly rekindled their relationship after filming but ended things in September 2022 after six months together.