Why Did Mel Owens And His Ex-Wife File For Divorce? Know Reason Behind Their Nearly USD 1M Split

Former NFL linebacker, Mel Owens who is set to be the lead in The Golden Bachelor has become one of the most trending celebrities on the internet right now. The 66-year-old, who played with Los Angeles Rams for 9 seasons, has sparked a controversy from his stint before the season's premiere on September 24, 2025. During an earlier event, Mel told host, Jesse Palmer that he wouldn’t date women older than 60. He went on to insist that he wanted someone “honest, charming, loving, fit, and full of life.” These comments drew immediate criticism. Several viewers were quick to point out that his ex-wife had once predicted his preferences could stir debate.

Why did Mel Owens and his wife, Fabiana Pimentel divorce?

Mel Owens, a retired athlete and a sports attorney, recently went through a lengthy and expensive divorce from his former wife, Fabiana Pimentel Owens. Some leaked Court filings from Orange County, California, show that Fabiana filed for divorce in February 2020. She cited they were facing irreconcilable differences after more than 17 years of marriage. But Mel Owens revealed during The Golden Bachelor premiere that the real reason behind their split was her “falling for someone else.” During another conversation to US Weekly in September 2025, Mel admitted his divorce was painful, but said: 

“I’m never going to get in the way of someone’s happiness. Life is short, and if you’re in love with somebody else, that’s fine.”

However, the divorce was not so simple. After nearly five years of court proceedings, a California judge gave the final judgement on their separation in December 2024. Mel was ordered to pay nearly USD 980,000 to settle unpaid child and spousal support, property division, and attorney’s fees. Amid this expensive payout, he got to retain assets worth more than USD 2.75 million, including the couple’s Orange County home valued at over USD 2 million. According to People and Us Weekly, the couple share two sons, Lucas and Andre, who are a priority for both of them.

Who is Fabiana Pimentel? 

Fabiana Pimentel is originally from Brazil. She moved to the US more than two decades ago. She has pursued a business degree from Faculdade da Cidade and a master’s in marketing from UCLA. Presently, she has a successful career in hospitality and works as the Director of Experiences at Preferred Hotels & Resorts and co-founded Final Touch Organizing. It is a company blending home organization with Feng Shui principles. Fabiana is also known for her entrepreneurial spirit, she once told Shout Out SoCal that her biggest reward was seeing “the joy on our client’s face when the project is complete.”

What did Fabiana Pimentel has to stay on Mel Owens' participation on The Golden Bachelor?

Fabiana Pimentel has kept her distance from Mel Owens’ journey on The Golden Bachelor. When the Daily Mail asked her about her ex-husband’s debut on the show, she just gave a blunt response and wished him luck. Fabiana mentioned that it is going to be ‘bad’, but she clarified that she will not get involved in it. Her words highlighted the clear divide between the former spouses.

What do you think about Mel Owens and Fabiana Pimentel's expensive divorce? Let us know. 

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