The slow-burn romance between The Golden Bachelor stars Peg Munson and Mel Owens is reportedly facing an insurmountable crisis. According to explosive new claims, Peg has discovered a dark reality hidden behind Mel’s golden facade: he is allegedly forced to pay nearly $1 MILLION (not $5 million) in unpaid divorce debt and is currently entangled in a legal fight with his ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel.

The financial crisis, coupled with Mel’s initial hesitation to propose, has led Peg to allegedly conclude that “MEL CANNOT MARRY ME!” and that the mounting debt proves he NEVER INTENDED TO COMMIT to their future, viewing their relationship as a distraction from his legal woes.

The Legal Wife: Divorce Debt Haunts Mel

While Mel Owens’ divorce from his ex-wife, Fabiana, was finalized in late 2024, court documents reveal the financial battle is far from over. Fabiana, who filed for divorce in 2020 after 25 years of marriage, successfully secured a court order for Mel to pay a large equalization payment totaling nearly $980,000 (USD 978,887.67).

Unpaid Balance: Fabiana’s legal filings claim Mel had only paid a fraction of this amount, leaving a balance of approximately $940,000 plus interest that accrues daily.

The Home Under Threat: Fabiana is actively demanding that Mel sell their former marital home in California—which he currently resides in and is valued at over $2 million—to satisfy the unpaid settlement. This financial entanglement proves the legal strings of his previous marriage are still tightly pulling at him.

The financial crisis, coupled with Mel’s initial hesitation to propose, has led Peg to allegedly conclude that “MEL CANNOT MARRY ME!” and that the mounting debt proves he NEVER INTENDED TO COMMIT to their future, viewing their relationship as a distraction from his legal woes.

The Legal Wife: Divorce Debt Haunts Mel

While Mel Owens’ divorce from his ex-wife, Fabiana, was finalized in late 2024, court documents reveal the financial battle is far from over. Fabiana, who filed for divorce in 2020 after 25 years of marriage, successfully secured a court order for Mel to pay a large equalization payment totaling nearly $980,000 (USD 978,887.67).

Unpaid Balance: Fabiana’s legal filings claim Mel had only paid a fraction of this amount, leaving a balance of approximately $940,000 plus interest that accrues daily.

The Home Under Threat: Fabiana is actively demanding that Mel sell their former marital home in California—which he currently resides in and is valued at over $2 million—to satisfy the unpaid settlement. This financial entanglement proves the legal strings of his previous marriage are still tightly pulling at him.

The massive financial strain confirms that their “golden years” may be overshadowed by Mel’s legal debt, proving that even at 60, love cannot conquer a nearly seven-figure payment.

The relationship Mel and Peg chose, which they called “writing their own love story,” is now facing the biggest non-fiction test of all: the courtroom.

The discussion about Mel Owens’ divorce settlement and commitment issues was a major focus leading up to the finale of The Golden Bachelor season 2.