Fabiana Pimentel is a Brazilian-born businesswoman and hospitality professional, best known as the former wife of ex-NFL linebacker Mel Owens, the star of The Golden Bachelor Season 2. Born in 1978, she built a career in airline marketing, law-office management, home organizing and luxury hospitality. She and Mel married in 2002, have two sons, and finalized their divorce in December 2024. This guide separates what is confirmed from what is only reported.
Fabiana Pimentel Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Fabiana Pimentel Owens |
| Birth year | 1978 (reported) |
| Age in 2026 | 47 or 48 (exact birthday unconfirmed) |
| Birthplace | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Education | Business degree (Faculdade da Cidade); master’s in marketing (UCLA) |
| Profession | Businesswoman, hospitality professional |
| Reported employer | Preferred Hotels & Resorts (Director of Experiences) |
| Marriage date | May 17, 2002 |
| Divorce filed / finalized | February 27, 2020 / December 2024 |
| Children | Lucas (b. 2005) and Andre (b. 2007) |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Who Is Fabiana Pimentel?
Pimentel moved from Brazil to California and has spent more than two decades in the United States. Her career spans several industries. She is also an entrepreneur who co-founded a home organizing company. Public interest in her rose sharply in 2025, when her former husband became the lead of a prime-time reality show.
How Old Is Fabiana Pimentel?
Birth Year and Age in 2026
Reports place her birth year at 1978, which makes her 47 or 48 in 2026. Her exact date of birth has never been made public, so any specific birthday you see online is unverified.
Age Gap With Mel Owens
Court documents obtained by Us Weekly show Owens is 19 years older than Pimentel. Mel was born on December 7, 1958, and was 43 at the wedding, while Fabiana was around 24. Nothing indicates the age gap caused the divorce.
Fabiana Pimentel’s Early Life and Family
Growing Up in Rio de Janeiro
Fabiana grew up in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil shaped her background, and she has stayed connected to it while building her life in America.
Her Mother’s Antique and Home Décor Shop
Her mother, Fabia, reportedly owned a shop selling antiques and home décor. In a 2021 Shoutout SoCal interview, Fabiana said growing up around that shop sparked her interest in interior spaces, an interest that later shaped her organizing business.
Moving to the United States
She settled in Southern California, mainly in Orange County, including Laguna Niguel. By 2021 she had lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years.
Fabiana Pimentel’s Education
Faculdade da Cidade (Bachelor’s in Business)
She earned a bachelor’s degree in business at Faculdade da Cidade in Brazil. She holds a business degree from Faculdade da Cidade and a master’s in marketing from UCLA.
UCLA (Master’s in Marketing)
Career reports say she completed her master’s in marketing at UCLA in 2003, shortly after her wedding. The degree supports her later work in marketing, hospitality and customer experience.
Fabiana Pimentel’s Career and Jobs
Her work history shows a steady move across industries, with the through-line of service, organization and customer experience.
VARIG Airlines (1998 to 2002)
She worked on the marketing team at VARIG, once one of Brazil’s major airlines, for roughly four years. It was her first big role in an international industry.
NBO Law, Assistant Manager (2007 to 2016)
From 2007 to 2016, about nine years, she worked as an assistant manager at NBO Law, handling office operations. The firm was linked to Mel, who became an attorney after his football career. He reportedly passed the bar exam in 2003.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Director of Experiences (2023 to Present)
She reportedly joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts, a luxury hotel brand, as Director of Experiences in May 2023. The role was reported in 2025, but no confirmed public update shows whether she still holds it in late 2026.
Final Touch Organizing: Her Home Organization Business
Co-Founder Karine Schaefer
In April 2020, Fabiana co-founded Final Touch Organizing with fellow Brazilian entrepreneur Karine Schaefer. Karine brought a fashion and product design background. The company organized homes and offices, and reports say Fabiana stayed involved until about May 2023.
The Feng Shui Approach
The company used Feng Shui principles to make spaces feel calm and balanced. Fabiana has also spoken of an interest in wellness practices such as Reiki and ThetaHealing.
Where Is Fabiana Pimentel Now?
Current Job (What Is Confirmed)
The last reported role is Director of Experiences at Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Her current employment in 2026 is unconfirmed.
Where She Lives
She has long lived in Southern California, and Corona del Mar in Orange County has been mentioned. Her 2026 residence is not confirmed.
Interests: Travel, Art, Photography, Wellness
Outside work, she enjoys travel, art, photography and wellness practices.
How Did Fabiana Pimentel Meet Mel Owens?
The details of their first meeting are not public. Mel played linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams from 1981 to 1989 and later earned a law degree. He has called Fabiana his first love, a phrase widely quoted in coverage of the show.
Fabiana Pimentel and Mel Owens’ Marriage
The 2002 Wedding
They married on May 17, 2002, according to documents obtained by Us Weekly.
Family Life in Orange County
They settled in Laguna Niguel and raised their sons in Orange County while both pursued careers.
Timeline of the Marriage
From wedding to separation was nearly 18 years (May 2002 to February 2020). Counting until the divorce was finalized in December 2024, the legal marriage lasted more than 22 years. This explains why outlets quote different lengths, from “nearly 18 years” to “over two decades.”
Why Did Fabiana Pimentel Divorce Mel Owens?
The February 2020 Filing
She filed on February 27, 2020, in Orange County, California. The filing came during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Irreconcilable Differences Explained
Pimentel cited “irreconcilable differences”, the standard no-fault ground in California. It means the marriage was legally considered broken without either spouse having to prove fault.
What Mel Has Said vs. What Fabiana Has Said
Mel said on The Golden Bachelor that his ex-wife filed for divorce in 2020 after falling in love with someone else. He also said the split was painful but that he would never get in the way of someone’s happiness. Fabiana has not publicly given a full account, so Mel’s version is his own claim and not a confirmed fact.
Fabiana Pimentel and Mel Owens’ Divorce Settlement
The $980,000 Court Order
The divorce took almost five years. A judge ordered Mel to make an equalization payment of USD 978,887.67, widely rounded to $980,000, due by February 28, 2025. Fabiana reportedly waived ongoing alimony or spousal support.
What the Payment Covered
Reports say the amount covered unpaid child and spousal support, property division and attorney’s fees. Mel kept the family home in Orange County.
The $40,000 Court Filing Claim
A September 2025 filing reportedly claimed Mel had paid only about $40,000. In it, Fabiana reportedly asked that the family home be sold to cover the balance. She also cited his income as roughly $20,000 per month from retirement income. Interest was reported to accrue on the unpaid balance.
What Is and Isn’t Confirmed
The court order and the ~$980,000 figure are well reported. How much has been paid since, and whether the home was sold, remains unconfirmed.
Fabiana Pimentel’s Sons: Lucas and Andre Owens
Lucas Owens
Lucas was born in 2005 and graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in 2025. He hoped to play baseball at the University of Michigan, and later reports linked him to Orange Coast College.
Andre Owens
Andre, born in 2007, also attended Santa Margarita and committed to play baseball at Oklahoma State University.
Their Baseball Careers
Both sons hope to play baseball in college. Mel coached them growing up, and they appeared in his season premiere.
Fabiana Pimentel and The Golden Bachelor
Mel’s Season 2 Journey and Peg Munson
The Golden Bachelor Season 2 premiered on September 24, 2025, and ended on November 12, 2025. Mel chose Peg Munson, a retired firefighter and bomb technician, giving her a ring without proposing marriage. Reports from mid-2026 say they remained together.
Fabiana’s Reaction to the Show
Asked by the Daily Mail, she wished Mel luck but predicted it would go badly. She said she did not want to be involved.
Mel’s Podcast Controversy
Before the premiere, Mel faced criticism for saying in a podcast that he preferred women aged 45 to 60. He later softened his stance, saying there is no age limit on love.
Is Fabiana Pimentel Dating Anyone Now?
As of late 2026, she has not publicly confirmed a new partner or a remarriage. Her relationship status is unknown, and she has kept her private life out of the spotlight.
Fabiana Pimentel’s Net Worth
Her net worth has not been publicly verified. The $980,000 settlement was an equalization payment and does not represent her personal wealth. Any exact net worth figure is an estimate with no verified source.
Fabiana Pimentel’s Life After Divorce
Since the divorce, she has focused on her career in hospitality and on her sons, who are now young adults pursuing college baseball. She has stayed largely private despite the media attention.
Timeline of Fabiana Pimentel’s Life
- 1978: Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 1998 to 2002: Marketing at VARIG Airlines
- May 17, 2002: Marries Mel Owens
- 2003: Reportedly completes UCLA master’s in marketing
- 2005: Son Lucas born
- 2007: Son Andre born
- 2007 to 2016: Assistant manager at NBO Law
- Feb 27, 2020: Files for divorce
- April 2020: Co-founds Final Touch Organizing
- May 2023: Joins Preferred Hotels & Resorts
- Dec 2024: Divorce finalized
- Feb 28, 2025: Settlement payment deadline
- Sept 24 to Nov 12, 2025: Mel stars in The Golden Bachelor Season 2
Interesting Facts About Fabiana Pimentel
- She has lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years.
- Her mother’s antique shop inspired her interest in home design.
- She worked for a major airline before turning 25.
- She co-founded a business during the 2020 pandemic.
- Both sons are baseball players with college commitments.
- The legal divorce process lasted nearly five years.
Final Thoughts
Fabiana Pimentel is more than Mel Owens’ ex-wife. She is a Brazilian-born professional with a business degree, a UCLA master’s, and experience from airline marketing to luxury hospitality. Her story is still unfolding, and many details, including her current job and finances, are unconfirmed. This article will be updated as verified information emerges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Fabiana Pimentel?
A Brazilian businesswoman and hospitality professional, and the former wife of ex-NFL player Mel Owens.
How old is Fabiana Pimentel?
Born in 1978, she is 47 or 48 in 2026. Her exact birthday is unconfirmed.
Where is Fabiana Pimentel from?
She is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and has lived in Southern California for over 20 years.
Who was Fabiana Pimentel married to?
Mel Owens, a former Los Angeles Rams linebacker turned attorney. They married on May 17, 2002.
Why did Fabiana Pimentel divorce Mel Owens?
She filed in February 2020 citing irreconcilable differences. Mel has said she fell for someone else, but she has not confirmed this.
How much was the Fabiana Pimentel divorce settlement?
About $980,000 (reported as $978,887.67), due by February 28, 2025.
Does Fabiana Pimentel have children?
Yes, two sons: Lucas (born 2005) and Andre (born 2007).
What does Fabiana Pimentel do for a living?
She was reportedly Director of Experiences at Preferred Hotels & Resorts from May 2023. Her current status is unconfirmed.
Is Fabiana Pimentel dating anyone?
Not publicly confirmed.
What is Fabiana Pimentel’s net worth?
Unverified. No reliable public figure exists.
Are Mel Owens and Fabiana Pimentel still in contact?
There is no confirmed information, though they co-parent two sons and remain connected through family matters.
