During the Season 29 premiere of The Bachelor, Jesse Palmer led Linda the No Drama Llama down the driveway of the Bachelor Mansion, setting a joyful tone for the start of Grant Ellis’ journey. However, a touching moment soon followed as an unexpected tribute card caught the viewers’ attention, reading, “In Loving Memory of Corine Frank Russell – 1941-2024.”
Corine Frank Russell was Ellis’ late grandmother, who had made a memorable appearance in his intro video earlier in the episode, adding depth to his personal story.
Prior to his Return To Mansion (RTM), Ellis took the time to visit his family, specifically spending a meaningful moment with his grandmother. In a heartwarming gesture, he held her hand and presented her with his first impression rose, expressing, “This is the first rose that I’m ever gonna hand out. It signifies my love for you and how much I love you as my grandma. And you’ll always be my first impression rose.”
Corine, with her iconic pink glitter nails, accepted the rose and the two adorably shared their love for one other. Sadly, in November 2024 — shortly before Ellis’ season of The Bachelor aired — Corine passed away at age 82.
“My grandmother was the rock in my family, and she taught me a lot,” Ellis told Decider in a Zoom interview ahead of his premiere. “She really influenced my faith and she taught me a lot about love and what it means to be in a long, lasting relationship. And she gave me my mom, so that was really, really important.”
Per her obituary, Corine was born on November 27, 1941, in Kinder, Louisiana, and is survived by her husband, Clarence Russell, along with her children Effie Owens and Renee Taylor, along with grandchildren including Ellis, who intends to keep her light alive.
“She’s a direct connection of me. And so she’ll always live through me,” the Season 29 lead told Decider.
New episodes of The Bachelor premiere Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
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