The Bachelorette has been continuously airing on ABC since 2003, resulting in 16 seasons and over 180 episodes. It has unleashed a flurry of titular Bachelorettes, some of which are obviously more memorable than others. Many of these bachelorettes held down some type of high-profile and prestigious job while appearing on the show (which was certainly part of their allure).
However, it's been nearly 20 years since The Bachelorette began its life on ABC. Professional and personal lives can drastically change in 20 years, and it's interesting to see where the earliest bachelorettes are today. While a rare few remain with their on-screen matches, some have gone on to other relationships and marriages. And while some have held onto their past jobs, others have taken a different path.
Trista Rehn
Trista Sutter, who was then going by her birth name, Trista Rehn, placed second on the first season of The Bachelor. Proving popular with fans, Rehn became the first subject of The Bachelorette, eventually choosing Ryan Sutter.
In a very rare bit of Bachelor history, Trista and Ryan are actually still together, having remained married since 2003. They have two children, a son born in 2007 and a daughter in 2009. The Sutters have since become a celebrity couple, appearing on the likes of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? and the HGTV program, Rocky Mountain Reno.
Meredith Phillips
Meredith Phillips was the show's second bachelorette, choosing Ian Mckee. The couple became engaged, but the nuptials were called off after a year. Unfortunately, Phillips did not have a good experience while filming The Bachelorette, revealing on Reality Steve's podcast that she was sexually assaulted by the show's masseuse.
She remained quiet about the ordeal and finished the show. After conquering her addiction to alcohol, Phillips married her high school sweetheart. She has since kept a low profile, preferring a quiet life with her family.
Jen Schefft
Jenn Schefft solidified her place in Bachelor history during the show's first live final rose ceremony. She chose Jerry Ferris as the winner, but she subsequently, and famously, rejected his proposal.
Schefft went on to write a book titled Better Single Than Sorry and married a man named Joe Waterman. The couple have two children and live in Schefft's native Ohio. She currently works for a medical spa called NeoSkin Center, in public relations and marketing.
DeAnna Pappas
DeAnna Pappas first appeared on season 11 of The Bachelor. She made it to the final rose ceremony, but both she and Jenni Croft were rejected by Brad Womack. She was brought back for season 4 of The Bachelorette, choosing professional snowboarder Jesse Csincsak, but the two subsequently broke up before they could marry.
Like Meredith Phillips, Pappas has remained quiet since her time on The Bachelorette. She is currently married to Stephen Stagliano (the brother of Bachelorette contestant, Michael Stagliano), and the couple have two children.
Jillian Harris
While appearing on The Bachelorette, Canadian Jillian Harris was working as an interior designer. She received her certificate from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and had designed the interiors for the Canadian restaurant chain, Cactus Club Cafe.
She appeared on season 13 of The Bachelor before starring as the titular Bachelorette in season 5. Harris currently has two children with her partner Justin Pasutto, and the two starred in a W Network documentary titled Jillian and Justin in 2017.
Ali Fedotowsky
Like many bachelorettes, Fedotowsky first appeared as a contestant on The Bachelor. Unfortunately, her time was cut short after it was said that she return to her position with Facebook or be fired, a claim that Facebook denied, saying that Fedotowsky came back of her own volition.
Fedotowsky currently works as the Lifestyle & DIY expert on the Hallmark Channel's Home & Family. This is a morning talk show that gives tips on various aspects of home life, including gardening, crafts, and DIY.
Ashley Hebert
Ashley Hebert was the seventh titular Bachelorette, and she chose J.P. Rosenbaum to be her partner. The two were a near-success story. The couple married during a TV special in December 2012 and went on to have two children.
Their son was born in 2014, and a daughter followed two years later. Unfortunately, the married couple announced that they were splitting after eight years of marriage in October 2020.
Emily Maynard
The eighth Bachelorette, Emily Maynard chose Jef Holm as the winner. Unfortunately, the two broke up in October 2012 - just three months after the season's finale in July. Following the show, Maynard reconnected with an old fling named Tyler Johnson, and the two quickly married and had three children.
It was around this time that Maynard wrote a New York Times best-selling book titled I Said Yes: My Story of Heartbreak, Redemption, and True Love. The family is currently living in North Carolina and lives a quiet life, and Maynard barely associates with Bachelor Nation.
Desiree Hartsock
The ninth Bachelorette, Desiree Hartsock, is one of those rare Bachelor exceptions. After choosing Chris Siegfried, the two married in January 2015 and remain together.
In January 2019, the two welcomed their second child, a son named Zander Cruz Siegfried, joining their first son, Asher.
Andi Dorfman
Andi Dorfman first appeared as a contestant on season 18 of The Bachelor. She subsequently became the tenth Bachelorette, temporarily resigning from her job as an assistant district attorney to appear on the show.
She chose Josh Murray (over famous Bachelorette contestant Nick Viall), but the two broke up in January of 2015 (just six months after the season finale). According to Dorfman's LinkedIn, she is currently working as an assistant district attorney at the Fulton County District Attorney's Office - a position she has held since November 2012.