When you first hear of people trying to find love on a reality show, it's easy to be skeptical. But when you look at how long the average Bachelorette relationship lasts, you'll be surprised to see that the reality program has actually built a lot of lasting unions. In comparison to The Bachelor, which has only had one couple walk down the aisle thus far (Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici), The Bachelorette has produced three happy marriages in just ten seasons.
But even the relationships that may not have made it to wedded bliss lasted a pretty long time. Three of the couples made it at least a year, and everyone else who picked a winner (Jen Schefft walked home with no one, so she doesn't really count) during the finale made it at least three months. That may not seem like a lot, but, in reality TV land, it is. Consider this: on The Bachelor, seven of the final couples couldn't even make it to three months.
I don't know what the secret to the The Bachelorette's success is, but these relationship timelines tell the whole story. If you want lasting love, you better sign up for The Bachelorette.
Trista Rehn & Ryan Sutter — Season 1
Official Relationship: 12 Years and Killing It (February 19, 2003 — Present)
The OG Bachelorette is the winningest one with a marriage that has lasted as long as the show itself.
Meredith Phillips & Ian McKee — Season 2
Official Relationship: One Year (February 25, 2004 — February 2005)
Although Phillips and McKee couldn't make things work, they did last a whole year before amicably parting ways.
Jennifer Schefft & No One — Season 3
Official Relationship: None (February 28, 2005)
Long before Brad Womack rejected both ladies on Season 11, Schefft did the same thing. Hey, if you don't know, it's probably better that you don't lead anyone on.
DeAnna Pappas & Jesse Csincsak — Season 4
Official Relationship: Four Months (July 7, 2008 — November 2008)
After their relationship ended, both Pappas and Csincsak met and married other members of the Bachelor family. So they kind of found love through their time on the show...
Jillian Harris & Ed Swiderski — Season 5
Official Relationship: One Year (July 27, 2009 — July 2010)
After a tumultuous year filled with cheating rumors, Harris finally had to step back from Swiderski to protect her own heart. "I love him and I'm really sad, but I have to look out for me," Jillian told Us Weekly of their split.
Ali Fedotowsky & Roberto Martinez — Season 6
Official Relationship: 15 Months (August 2, 2010 — November 2011)
As much as the pair wanted things to work, they called their engagement off after a year. These days Fedotowsky works for E! News and has a boyfriend that she loves, so alls well that ends well.
Ashley Hebert & J.P. Rosenbaum — Season 7
Official Relationship: Three Years and Going Strong (August 1, 2011 — Present)
The second Bachelorette couple to walk the aisle, this happy pair just welcomed their first child, baby Fordham Rhys.
Emily Maynard & Jef Holm — Season 8
Official Relationship: Three Months (July 22, 2012 — October 2012)
Maynard's second chance on the show didn't work out so well. She and Holm split mere months after the finale aired. But now, the former Bachelorette is married to her longtime hometown friend Tyler Johnson with another child on the way. So, at least she found love in the end!
Desiree Hartsock & Chris Siegfried — Season 9
Official Relationship: One Year and Counting (August 5, 2013 — Present)
The Season 9 Bachelorette tied the knot in a private ceremony with her honey in January.
Andi Dorfman & Josh Murray — Season 10
Official Relationship: Five Months (July 28, 2014 — January 2015)
Bachelor Nation was heartbroken when these two broke up. But now Dorfman has entered into a new love affair — with New York City! The Atlanta native relocated to the Big Apple recently and so far she's having a blast as she heals from the heartbreak.
Images: Getty Images (9)
