Susan Lucci and Helmut Huber's relationship timeline explored as actress reveals she was approached to star in The Golden Bachelorette

American actress and television host Susan Lucci revealed in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE dated May 24, 2024, that she was approached for ABC's Golden Bachelorette season 1.

Susan Lucci mentioned that while the show is a "new addiction" for her, starring in it wasn't for her. She has always been vocal about her love for late husband Helmut Huber and had mentioned in her interview with PEOPLE dated February 2023, that whatever the time is, she won't be ready to date anyone again.

As per Fox News, Susan and Helmut met in 1969 when they both worked at the Garden City Hotel in Long Island. Susan was working at the hotel on a summer vacation from college and Huber was an executive chef. The duo got married within three weeks of dating in September 1969.

Huber was a producer, writer, manager to Susan, and the CEO of Pine Valley Productions. In an interview with PEOPLE in 1999, Helmut Huber stated:

"The first time I saw Susie, it hit me. Still today, she walks in a room, and I just light up.”

Susan and Huber share a son, Andreas, and a daughter, Liza, and were married for 53 years till Helmut Huber passed away on March 28, 2022, at the age of 84.

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"I'm a fan. I love watching"— Susan Lucci comments on refusing participation in Golden Bachelorette

Susan Lucci became a fan of The Bachelor franchise because her mother used to watch and because her assistant indirectly inspired the actress to watch the franchise. In her interview with PEOPLE, Susan mentioned that the first time she saw it she was immediately engaged and wanted to know more about the participants.

Susan also shared that ABC called her publicist to see if she'd be interested in participating but it wasn't for her. Calling the show her "new guilty pleasure" Susan mentioned:

"I'm a fan. I love watching."

Susan Lucci's decision to not participate in The Golden Bachelorette stems from her love for her late husband Helmut Huber. While introducing the memoriam segment at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2022, the Pine Valley actress talked about her partner Helmet Huber, describing him as a "larger-than-life force of nature" and "confident caregiver". Referring to Helmut Huber as the love of her life, Susan mentioned:

"They say that grief is the price we pay for love. Well, grief is an excruciating price but I would not give up even one second of the love."

Additionally, in her appearance at Good Day New York in February 2023, the Devious Maids actress remembered her husband a year after his death. In the interview, she mentioned that people around her were trying to set her up with someone new but she couldn't even imagine dating someone else at that point.

Talking about the same, Susan got emotional and also mentioned that her late husband was "worth missing". Moreover, the Deadly Affairs actress did not interact with the media during Helmut Huber's death but posted a note on Instagram thanking fans for their "outpouring of condolences" and loving comments for her late husband.

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While Susan Lucci claims she was approached for starring in The Golden Bachelorette, Warner Bros and ABC haven't commented on the casting news. Currently, Joan Vassos has been named the first leading lady of The Golden Bachelorette.