1st 'Bachelor' Winner Stuns in Rare Public Outing

1st 'Bachelor' Winner Stuns in Rare Public Outing originally appeared on Parade.

The winner of the first season of The Bachelor, Amanda Marsh, made a rare public appearance with other members of the beloved ABC franchise.

Swoon magazine reported that Golden Bachelor stars Theresa Nist and Leslie Fhima met with Marsh in Minnesota during the weekend of July 19. Fhima took to her Instagram Story to post a snap from the weekend with Nist and Marsh. The photo showed a smiling Marsh posing in between Nist and Fhima. Marsh opted to wear her honey-colored locks in a straight style. She also sported a white T-shirt with an image of a strawberry on it.

“So much fun meeting @amandamarshcaldwell 1st ever winner of @bachelorabc,” read the caption of the post.

Swoon reported that Season 1 Bachelor star Alex Michel gave his final rose to Marsh. However, the couple only lasted until 2003. According to the publication, Marsh suggested they ended their relationship because she lived in Kansas City and Michel resided in California.

“We tried to make it work, but it was hard. That’s a pretty long distance," said Marsh during a 2020 episode of The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever!

In a deleted scene from The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever! episode, Marsh shared she now works as "a nurse practitioner in dermatology." She explained she started her career in the dermatology field because she wanted women to feel their best after receiving negative comments from Bachelor fans.

"I kind of think of The Bachelor catapulting that career. After the show, it was hard to read some of those message boards. Yes, there wasn't the social media that was out there now. But there was still message boards," said Marsh. "And I'm 5'8", 140 pounds, I have some curves, so compared to some of the other females, there's some critics out there. And not everyone is going to like you. So I was passionate about a career where I can help people and can help them feel really good about themselves."

She also shared that her now-husband, Chris Evans, the father of her daughter, had no idea she was on The Bachelor when they first started dating.

"The very first date that we went on, Chris was not aware that I was on this television show, but our waitress recognized me. So I had to come clean pretty early on," said Marsh.

She also clarified that she was "so thankful to be apart of" The Bachelor Season 1, which began airing in 2002.

"It was a wonderful opportunity," said Marsh.

1st 'Bachelor' Winner Stuns in Rare Public Outing first appeared on Parade on Jul 21, 2025