Mark Anderson decided to give reality TV a shot and look for love on The Golden Bachelorette, and Joan Vassos appears pretty smitten with him.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mark is a 57-year-old Army veteran from Leesville, LA, who first appeared on Joey Graziadei's season of The Bachelor.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)

Joey met Mark when he traveled to New Orleans for Kelsey Anderson's hometown date, and the whole world fell in love with Mark's big smile and kind heart.

As a widower, Mark realized it was time to search for love himself, and so he joined Joan's cast of The Golden Bachelorette.

Mark and Joan were shown having a deep conversation on the latest episode about how they felt a little guilty about dating after the loss of their spouses, Denise Anderson and John Vassos, respectively.

Joan said being around Mark -- who called The Golden Bachelorette "the best therapy" for him -- and his positive attitude helped her not dwell on the past.

While Mark has yet to receive a one-on-one date with Joan on the show, ABC recently released a preview of Joan apparently telling Mark, "I love you."

Until The Golden Bachelorette viewers can watch Joan and Mark's love story unfold on the show, let's learn some information about this handsome bachelor, who had thirst traps about him all over the Internet!

Below is a list of six facts Reality TV World has compiled about Mark Anderson.

Mark was inspired by Kelsey and Joey's love story

Mark decided to film The Golden Bachelorette after he watched his daughter, Kelsey, fall in love on The Bachelor's 28th season and leave the show a happily-engaged woman.

Mark was excited about the chance to potentially fall in love again after the loss of his wife Denise.

Mark, whom ABC calls "empathetic" and "warm," has dedicated his life to working for the military, and after having five children, he can't wait to have grandchildren one day.

Mark enjoys traveling to visit his kids, but he hopes to plant roots again with the second love of his life.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)  

Mark's late wife Denise Anderson died from breast cancer

Mark had taken care of Kelsey's mother, Denise, until she passed away from breast cancer in 2018, which was a tragic event for the whole family -- including Mark's four other children.

On The Bachelor's 28th season, Kelsey applauded Mark for having been such a great husband.

"I told [Joey] about mom and how you took care of mom through how sick she got and everything that you did for her," Kelsey told Mark, breaking down into tears.

"You were such a good husband to her, and I feel like that's what I really look for -- is, you know, someone that would be there through the hard times and the good times. Knowing that after you saw the love of your life pass away and knowing that you had to take care of all of us and be there for all of us, I can't imagine."

Mark said he loved watching Gerry Turner's The Golden Bachelor season because it made him realize he's not alone in his grief.

Mark reveals his #relationshipgoals

Mark is apparently a big fan of singer Taylor Swift and her NFL football player boyfriend Travis Kelce.

"[Taylor and Travis] have made a great example of how two people can grow a flourishing relationship," Mark told BachelorNation.com.

"They each have very challenging careers that don't really seem to blend so well on the surface, but they are willing to support and make the effort for each other."

Mark's guilty pleasure has to do with some good cooking!

Mark told BachelorNation.com that his guilty pleasure is food -- "all things food!"

Mark said while he's able to restrain himself better in his senior years, food is still very tempting all the time. His last meal would be a buffet so he could have multiple dishes to choose from.

The bachelor's hidden talent is also Christmas cookie baking. Mark apparently bakes up quite an impressive lineup of cookies every holiday season!

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)

Mark reveals that he loved "everything" about his time on The Golden Bachelorette

Mark said his favorite part of being on The Golden Bachelorette was "everything," according to BachelorNation.com.

"I had an incredible opportunity to meet a beautiful woman inside and out. Joan is an amazing woman who, with grace and poise, guided us all on her journey to find love," Mark recently shared.

"I have created a bond with some fantastic men that I am honored to have met and shared the experience with. I believe that I am a better man, better friend, and will be a better partner because of it."

Mark also said that being on the show taught him that there are always other people in the world going through a similar struggle, issue or trauma.

"You are not alone," Mark insisted, adding how many of the bachelors on The Golden Bachelorette were in the same boat.

"I have learned to open up, speak freely, and most of all not to be afraid to share myself."

Another The Golden Bachelor contestant was interested in Mark

The Golden Bachelor alum Susan Noles admitted this past summer that she was interested in dating Mark Anderson and they had actually emailed back and forth for a bit following her stint on Gerry Turner's season.

Susan said she had her eye on Mark "long before" The Golden Bachelorette even began filming.

"I love your dad," Susan, 67, told Kelsey during a June episode of the "Bachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hour" podcast.

"We're buddies. We chat and we're friends," Susan added.

Susan's co-host, Kathy Swarts, then chimed in, "When we met him at your [The Bachelor: After the Final Rose] finale, of course Susan elbowed her way in to see if she could maybe date the guy."

Susan interjected of that March 2024 finale, "We were emailing long before that."

"See!" Kathy, 71, quipped. "Nobody gets a chance. But you're dad is a super nice guy."

"Great guy," Susan agreed.

Kathy proceeded to jokingly ask Kelsey how she and Susan could land a man like her father -- and if Mark has any single friends.

"He's 57, Kathy," Susan gently noted, to which Kathy replied, "So what? I can go younger."

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)

Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group!




About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS