So, you’ve probably seen Chock Chapple on your screen, likely winning over hearts (and a final rose) on The Golden Bachelorette. He’s the insurance guy from Wichita with the great hair and that slightly mysterious name. But while everyone is obsessed with his whirlwind romance with Joan Vassos, a lot of people are digging into his past. Specifically, people want to know about Heather Chapple, Chock’s wife for over a decade before he became a reality TV star.
Honestly, it’s not just gossip. When you see a guy in his 60s looking for love on national television, you kind of want to know where he’s coming from. Was there drama? Is it messy?
Actually, the reality is a lot more grounded than the typical reality TV "ex-wife" trope.
Who exactly is Heather Chapple?
Heather Chapple was Chock’s first wife. They weren't just a brief fling; they were married for 12 years. That’s a long time. They built a whole life together in Kansas, which is where Chock still runs his insurance empire.
They have two kids, Taylor and Tyler. If you watched the show, you saw them. They’re basically adults now, and they actually followed their dad into the insurance business. It’s kind of a family tradition at this point, dating back to Chock's grandfather in the 1920s.
The Divorce and What Happened Next
Most people assume that if someone is on a dating show, their previous marriage must have ended in a fireball of resentment. Not here. Chock has been pretty open about the fact that he and Heather Chapple are on good terms. They co-parent. They talk.
In fact, there's a wild detail that came out during the show's run: Chock actually owns the house where Heather lives. According to property records and reports from The Express, Chock owns a 5,300-square-foot property in Kansas that serves as her primary residence. Talk about an amicable split. Most people can barely agree on who gets the toaster, let alone who gets to stay in the 5,000-square-foot house.
He’s clearly a "provider" type.
Life After the Marriage
After things ended with Heather, Chock didn't just jump onto ABC. He had a very serious, long-term relationship with a woman named Katherine Elizabeth White Goree. They were engaged for nine years.
Nine years!
Sadly, Katherine passed away in 2022 after a battle with brain cancer. This is actually what Chock was referring to when he told Joan Vassos that losing his partner was the most devastating thing he’d ever gone through.
A lot of fans got confused and thought he was talking about Heather. He wasn't. He was talking about the woman he was supposed to marry after his divorce from Heather.
- Marriage 1: Heather Chapple (12 years, 2 kids, still friends).
- Engagement: Katherine Goree (9 years, tragic ending).
- Current: Joan Vassos (Engaged, living the "Golden" life).
What This Tells Us About Chock
If you're looking for red flags, the "long engagement" with Katherine is what some critics point to. They wonder if he has "commitment issues." But honestly, if he’s still supporting his ex-wife Heather Chapple and stayed by Katherine’s side through a terminal illness, that sounds more like a guy who sticks around than a guy who runs.
It’s also interesting to note that during the "hometown dates" on The Golden Bachelorette, Joan actually met Heather's father. Think about that for a second. He’s so close with his ex-wife’s family that he brought his new TV girlfriend to meet his former father-in-law. That’s either incredibly healthy or incredibly awkward, but it leans toward the former.
Where is Heather now?
Heather stays out of the spotlight for the most part. She isn't chasing fame or posting TikToks about her ex-husband’s new fiancée. She seems content living her life in Wichita, likely focusing on her kids—who, as we mentioned, are busy carrying on the Chapple insurance legacy.
The Wichita Connection
Chock is basically the "King of Wichita." He’s a big deal there. He sold his company, CIG Insurance, back in 2020 but started a new one called Insurance Services Group. He’s got real estate, he’s got the "man cave" (a $200k converted storage unit, because why not?), and he’s got deep roots.
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The big question now is whether he’ll ever actually move to Maryland to be with Joan, or if his ties to his family—including his kids and his respectful setup with Heather—will keep him in Kansas forever.
Right now, they're doing the long-distance thing. They spend time in NYC, Maryland, and Kansas. It’s unconventional, but at 60+, you kind of make your own rules.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following this story, here’s the takeaway:
- Don't believe the "villain" edits. While some contestants complained about Chock "hogging" Joan's time, his history with Heather shows he’s a long-term, stable guy.
- Property records don't lie. The fact that he provides housing for his ex-wife suggests a level of financial and emotional maturity that is rare in the reality TV world.
- Watch the kids. Taylor and Tyler are the best barometers for what kind of guy Chock is. They seem to adore him and his "Kansas farm boy" vibe.
If you’re curious about how Chock and Joan are making it work today in 2026, they are still very much engaged. They haven't set a wedding date yet because, as Joan told Us Weekly recently, they’re just "too busy" with their own families and lives. But given his 12-year track record with Heather Chapple, Chock seems like a guy who plays the long game.