The Golden Bachelor’s big secret: We unmask Bear’s wealthy ex-fiancée and reveal the FULL story of the hidden past he failed to mention on the show
She’s the millionaire socialite who once stole the heart of Golden Bachelor Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden… but somehow didn’t get a mention on the show.
And now Daily Mail can unmask the mysterious ex that Channel Nine producers didn’t want you to know about: Jo Kinghorn.
For the first time, photos have emerged of Ms Kinghorn – an heiress and daughter of finance tycoon Greg Kinghorn – who was previously engaged to the reality star.
On screen, Canadian-born engineer Myrden has been introduced to viewers as a lonely widower and devoted father of three boys searching for love.
Each week, he’s shared emotional stories about losing his wife Audrey in 2014, insisting he’s remained single ever since her death.
But in reality, he’s had a string of romances that have been kept under wraps – a fact he acknowledged to the Daily Mail when asked about his dating history at the Melbourne Cup last week.
Canadian-born engineer Myrden has been introduced to viewers of The Golden Bachelor as a lonely widower. The show has neglected to mention he was engaged to an heiress
For the first time, photos have emerged of Jo Kinghorn, daughter of finance tycoon Greg Kinghorn, who was previously engaged to Myrden
‘I’ve had a few partners since the passing of my wife and we had wonderful times and they were lovely ladies. Very nice, but it didn’t work out,’ he said.
‘I don’t think I was ready. I believe I was still grieving. And it’s unfortunate, they were absolutely lovely, they were tremendous people, but it didn’t work out.’
A friend also revealed that ‘it’s not just Jo’ Myrden and Nine are keeping quiet about.
‘He briefly dated a woman after his wife died. Then it was Jo. After they broke up, he had another long-term relationship.’
Myrden met Ms Kinghorn in Palm Beach in 2012 at a friend’s barbecue. According to Woman’s Day, she was touched by his devotion to his sons after they lost their mum.
Ms Kinghorn is well known for her charity work, donating her time and money to several organisations close to her heart – and even sponsoring a school in Africa.
She made headlines in 2023 for placing the winning bid on a nine-year-old girl’s painting at a charity event.
She later told 2GB’s Ben Fordham that although she didn’t wake up expecting to spend six figures that day, she was ‘so grateful’ the painting ended up in her hands.
Ms Kinghorn (pictured talking to radio host Ben Fordham) made headlines in 2023 for placing the winning bid on a nine-year-old girl’s painting at a charity event
The Golden Bachelor’s final rose ceremony will air this Sunday on Nine
Now, as her former fiancé edges close to this Sunday’s final rose ceremony, Ms Kinghorn’s friends want the message out there that 61-year-old Myrden is more of a party animal than he lets on.
‘He loves a BBQ – some wives even joke he is a bad influence on their husbands when it comes to beers and backyards,’ they said.
‘When it comes to drawing up the guest list, there is usually an eye-roll or two when the dads inevitably want to invite Bear.’
On Monday, Woman’s Day reported how Ms Kinghorn had fallen ‘madly in love’ with the keen sailor.
A friend told the publication that Myrden’s claims about his love life on the show – namely that he is only now ready to move on from his wife’s death – have left her inner circle ‘gobsmacked’.
Because not only were Myrden and Ms Kinghorn engaged and living together, but she had become a stepmother figure to his three boys, Charlie, Jack and Declan.
‘She really opened her heart to them and dedicated her life to them – and they adored her,’ Ms Kinghorn’s friend revealed.
Myrden met Ms Kinghorn in Palm Beach in 2012 at a friend’s barbecue. According to Woman’s Day, she was touched by his devotion to his sons after they lost their mum
Kinghorn is from a wealthy family and spends much of her time working with charities
However, as soon as money started playing a major role in their relationship, things seemed to go downhill for the couple.
Kinghorn is from a wealthy family: her father founded Allco Financial Services and RAMS Home Loans and has been featured on the Rich List.
Bear seemingly lived the good life with Kinghorn, who hired a full-time nanny for his children so that they could travel the world together.
What’s more, she even bought him a warehouse with a million-dollar price tag, which Bear transformed into his ‘man cave’.
‘I know for a fact that she was paying for almost everything in the last three years they were together because Barry quit his job,’ the friend added.
The publication revealed that when the pair got engaged in 2016, Bear and his three kids moved into Kinghorn’s $6million home in Manly.
But just two years later, the couple called it quits in what was dubbed an ‘acrimonious’ split by the insider.
‘There were lawyers called in and they spent a whole day in mediation before it was settled,’ Kinghorn’s pal revealed to Woman’s Day, adding that Myrden even asked her to return the diamond solitaire engagement ring.
Bear seemingly lived the good life with Kinghorn, who hired a full-time nanny for his children
Sunday night will see Myrden chose between finalists Sunny and Janette
While Myrden kept his house and Ms Kinghorn kept hers, she eventually sold the Manly property because it held ‘bad memories’.
‘She spends a lot of her time overseas now, with various charity commitments,’ said a friend.
‘She is actually the loveliest woman.’
Daily Mail has contacted Channel Nine for comment.
New to DailyMail+? Here are our most-read stories from the last week
YouTube star Spanian speaks on his sudden marriage split AND new love in cryptic interview with the Daily Mail that his mates tried to shut down
I uncovered the dark secret that explains the strange behaviour of missing boy Gus Lamont’s family – and it still haunts them to this day: JONICA BRAY
Insiders spill why model and Fishbowl founder have called off their expensive divorce… Plus, REAL reason $40k-a-year Moriah College expelled boys after camp incident: THE GROUP CHAT
A trans grandmother, a patriarch scarred by horrors of war, and two very unusual marriages: We reveal the deeply complicated world of Gus Lamont’s Outback family
Heartbreak for Bra Boy Koby Abberton as he confirms the most ‘devastating’ news about his family and model ex: ‘The internet sticks around’
Chicken heiress Jess Ingham breaks silence on split from husband Roger Zraika as she ditches her wedding ring and ‘he moves on with a prominent woman’
So, Spanian the ex-crim has finally shown his true colours. I’ve met plenty of these sly men who cash in on being reformed bad boys – they all have one thing in common: AMANDA GOFF
‘Paid to party’ bombshell rocks exclusive Melbourne charity gala – I reveal how many guests received a fee and the money they REALLY raised: THE GROUP CHAT
‘We’re f***ked’: Liberal insiders tell PVO the brutally honest truth about Sussan Ley – as we reveal the explosive internal party research that is set to rock MPs to their core
I left my husband for the love of my life – and then he did something that utterly humiliated me: ASK JANA
