Catherine Giudici, a graphic designer and entrepreneur, first rose to fame as the winner of The Bachelor Season 17. Known for her quick wit, creative flair, and down-to-earth charm, Catherine captivated audiences alongside Sean Lowe, whom she later married in a televised ceremony. Beyond her reality TV roots, she has built a multifaceted career, blending her design background with business ventures and motherhood. Unfortunately, she caught fans’ attention with a heartbreaking post about her father’s death. Here’s what she posted.

‘The Bachelor’ winner Catherine Giudici posted about her father’s death

The Bachelor winner Catherine Giudici just gave an upsetting personal update to her fans. In May 2025, she posted photos to Instagram of her father, Carey Giudici, with the caption, “Bye Daddy. I love you. See you soon.” Catherine added the dates of his birth and death.

The first photo in her carousel shows her hugging her father. The second post shows her holding Carey’s hand while he sits in a chair and sings with her. Additional clips and photos show Carey with his family and Catherine’s three kids that she shares with Sean Lowe: Samuel, 7, Isaiah, 6, and Mia, 4. She also included photos of her father as a young man.

Catherine also added a photo of Carey’s poetry. Carey is a writer of Swiss-Italian and Scottish descent with a background in journalism, which may have influenced Catherine’s own creative pursuits. Despite facing personal challenges, including a history of mental health struggles and family estrangement, Carey has maintained a relationship with his daughter. In 2013, Catherine expressed her enduring love for him, stating, “I love him so much,” highlighting the complexities of their bond.

Former Bachelor host Chris Harrison commented on Catherine’s post. “Sending you and your family my love,” he wrote. “God bless his soul.”

The reality TV winner previously detailed Carey Giudici’s mental health battles

Catherine Giudici got real with Sean Lowe during hometown week on The Bachelor. Sean only met Catherine’s mother, grandmother, and sisters. At the time, she explained her complex relationship with her father, Carey Giudici.

“He was battling depression for a very, very long time,” Catherine told Sean. “When I was 14, my dad had a suicide attempt in front of my sisters and I, and he was immediately taken away. … It’s kinda hard for me to deal with, because he’s my dad. I needed you to know that.”

According to documents obtained by E! News, Catherine’s mother, Cynthia, obtained a temporary restraining order against Carey in 2001. According to the documents, Carey threatened suicide over several months and also broke windows, dishes, and chairs. Cynthia also cited “verbal violence” and “verbal abuse.”

Despite the past, Catherine told reporters at the time that she intended to have her father walk her down the aisle on her wedding day.

“I love him so much,” she said. “I said a lot of personal things on the show, and I just want to reiterate the fact that he is a part of my life, and I love him so much, and I’m excited for him to be part of the wedding.”

Many members of Bachelor Nation know what it’s like to lose a loved one or engage in complicated family dynamics. To show support for Catherine Giudici after her father’s death, multiple Bachelor alums commented to support Catherine during this difficult time.

“I’m so sorry, Catherine,” Kelley Flanagan from Peter Weber’s season of The Bachelor wrote. “One of the hardest things anyone can go through, and I’ll be keeping you in my prayers.”

“I’m so so sorry, Catherine,” Molly Mesnick, Jason Mesnick’s wife, wrote. “We’re thinking of you guys.”

“I am so sorry,” The Bachelorette Season 12 lead JoJo Fletcher commented. “Thinking about you and sending you so much love.”

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