The Bachelor’s Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell are breaking up

Former bachelor Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell has called it quits four years after finding love The Bachelor.

“Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts. Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that passes worldly understanding,” James, 33, wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of him and Kirkconnell on Bachelor season 25.

“Give our friends and family kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our joy comes from you Lord ,” James added in the caption of his post, which he tagged Kirkconnell, 28, in.

James chose Kirkconnell as his Bachelor winner in season 25, which aired in early 2021. But off After the Final Rose In March of that year, James said he and Kirkconnell had broken up after Kirkconnell’s previously racially insensitive social media activity resurfaced. The couple reconciled a month later.

In October 2024, James, the first black Bachelor lead, and Kirkconnell teased getting married in the future.

“I think that’s the next step,” James said during an episode of the “De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan” podcast. “Having had so many of Rachael’s friends go through engagements, I wouldn’t dare go and look at a ring without consulting Rachael first.”

Related: The Bachelor’s Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell: A Complete Timeline

Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell’s Bachelor love story was a journey — on and off screen. ABC cast Matt as the lead in season 25 in June 2020, and subsequently revealed that the series received a record number of contestant applications. Among the 38 women who had the opportunity to meet Matt was Rachael, a graphic designer (…)

Kirkconnell agreed that the decision on the diamond was the next step before James popped the question.

“I’ve got my finger ready,” she joked on the podcast. “I definitely feel like that’s something we want. I’m on his time. My problem is, I definitely need to find a ring that I like and everything, but he’s on that time. … It’s a problem, I don’t even know what I want.”

In the same episode, James said he had been “hinting at marriage for a very long time.”

“I don’t think Rachael takes my hints seriously,” he joked. “Obviously I’m a few years older than you and women tend to outlive the men because I don’t know, but that’s typically how it goes. I fully embrace being a stay-at-home dad. I stay at home and take me by the children, so I will give you the opportunity … (to) start your own brand.”

Related: Messest Bachelor Nation Breakups: Andi and Josh, Colton and Cassie, More

Not all Bachelor Nation brides are as pretty as a rose. Colton Underwood and his Bachelor season 23 winner Cassie Randolph, for example, vowed to remain friends when they announced their split in May 2020. Things quickly soured after Colton shaded Cassie’s decision to do an interview with Chris Harrison during (. ..)

Kirkconnell, who laughed off James’ remarks about hints and launching a lifestyle empire, said she was also ready to start a family with the former footballer.

“I will say this, I love the idea of ​​being married and having that commitment to each other, and kids and family really excites me,” Kirkconnell said. “But the thought of planning a wedding really turns me off. Like sometimes I’m just like, ‘Let’s just elope.’

Related: The biggest Bachelor Nation scandals of all time

From breakups to makeups and everything in between, Bachelor Nation has seen it all — and it hasn’t always been pretty. Loyal fans of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette often work to uncover secrets from the contestants’ pasts as they search for love on the ABC reality franchise. During Matt James’ historic season, (…)

James previously told Us Weekly that he and Kirkconnell did not succumb to outside pressure to speed up their timeline.

“We’re having a great time. I feel like when you feel pressured, that’s when you don’t want to do anything,” James told exclusively Us in June 2024. “So I’ve never really felt pressured (to get engaged) because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It is something we will do at some point. This is why we are together and what we are working towards. I am excited about our future.”