The Bachelor (season 13)
The thirteenth season of ABC reality television series The Bachelor. The season premiere aired on January 5, 2009. The show features Jason Mesnick a single parent from Kirkland, Washington, courting 25 women. Mesnick was the runner-up of season four of The Bachelorette. He became the second former The Bachelorette suitor to compete on The Bachelor since Bob Guiney of season 1 of The Bachelorette and season 4 of The Bachelor.
The season concluded on March 2, 2009 during the season finale, in which Melissa Rycroft was named the winner. During the After The Final Rose special, Mesnick broke up with Rycroft after realizing he was still in love with runner-up Molly Malaney. Mesnick proposed to Malaney and she accepted. Mesnick and Malaney got married and currently live in Washington state with Mesnick's son Ty and their daughter Riley. Rycroft went on to marry Tye Strickland and have three children together.
Contestants
Biographical information according to ABC official series site, plus footnoted additions| Name | Age | Hometown | Occupation | Outcome | Place |
| Melissa Rycroft | 25 | Dallas, Texas | Sales Representative | Winner | 1 |
| Molly Malaney | 24 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Department Store Buyer | Runner-Up | 2 |
| Jillian Harris | 29 | Peace River, Alberta | Interior Designer | Week 7 | 3 |
| Naomi Crespo | 24 | Carlsbad, California | Flight Attendant | Week 6 | 4 |
| Stephanie Hogan | 34 | Huntsville, Alabama | Medical Marketing Representative | Week 5 | 5 |
| Lauren Wanger | 27 | Marlboro, New Jersey | Teacher | Week 4 | 6–8 |
| Megan Parris | 25 | Sewickley, Pennsylvania | Lacrosse Coach | Week 4 | 6–8 |
| Shannon Bair | 29 | Marshall, Missouri | Dental Hygienist | Week 4 | 6–8 |
| Nikki Kaapke | 29 | Blue Island, Illinois | Administrative Assistant | Week 4 | 9 |
| Erica DeSimone | 25 | Monroe, Connecticut | Account Executive | Week 3 | 10–11 |
| Kari Fajen | 27 | Lee's Summit, Missouri | Account Executive | Week 3 | 10–11 |
| Natalie Getz | 27 | Morton, Illinois | Human Resources Recruiter | Week 3 | 12 |
| Raquel Medeiros | 27 | Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil | Medical Student | Week 2 | 13–14 |
| Sharon Staebell | 32 | Batavia, New York | Teacher | Week 2 | 13–14 |
| Lisa Gonzalez | 28 | Boise, Idaho | Public Relations Associate | Week 2 | 15 |
| Ann Lueders | 24 | Phoenix, Arizona | Flight Attendant | Week 1 | 16–25 |
| Dominique Carta | 26 | Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania | Medical Sales Representative | Week 1 | 16–25 |
| Emily | 23 | Seattle, Washington | Casino Marketing Representative | Week 1 | 16–25 |
| Jackie Hickley | 26 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Wedding Coordinator | Week 1 | 16–25 |
| Julie Dermotta | 26 | Columbus, Ohio | Teacher | Week 1 | 16–25 |
| Nicole Mah | 25 | Calgary, Alberta | Menswear Buyer | Week 1 | 16–25 |
| Renee Simlak | 36 | Southfield, Michigan | Jewelry Designer | Week 1 | 16–25 |
| Shelby | 23 | Stockton, California | Account Executive | Week 1 | 16–25 |
| Stacia Mann | 24 | Orem, Utah | Charity Accountant | Week 1 | 16–25 |
| Treasure Morgan | 28 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Nurse Practitioner | Week 1 | 16–25 |
Future Appearances
The Bachelorette
was chosen as the bachelorette for the fifth season of The Bachelorette.Bachelor Pad
Natalie Getz and Nikki Kaapke returned for the first season of Bachelor Pad. Kaapke was eliminated during week 5, while Getz won the season alongside Bachelor Nation alumnus, David Good.Dancing with the Stars
competed in the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars, replacing an injured Nancy O'Dell and partnering with Tony Dovolani. She finished in 3rd place. Rycroft would compete again in the all-star season of Dancing with the Stars. She won that season.Call-out order
Episodes
After the Final Rose
During the "After the Final Rose" special, which was taped six weeks after filming ended, and aired immediately after the season finale, Jason Mesnick told Chris Harrison that he felt the chemistry with Melissa changed and that he would break up with her and then ask Molly to give him another chance. Jason explained to Melissa how he was feeling. After some arguing, she then gave him his ring back, asked him to leave her alone, and left. During Chris' interview with Molly, she admitted she still loved Jason. Jason told Molly that he broke up with Melissa and that he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her. He asked her if they could have another shot and he admitted that he still loved her. She agreed to "see where things go."On the other hand, host Chris Harrison announced that Jillian became the next bachelorette for the fifth season of The Bachelorette and has insisted that the outcome was not manipulated by show producers to increase ratings.