Richard Van De Water Biography
Richard Van De Water is an American reality TV personality and photographer who was set to appear in The Bachelorette Season 22 to compete for the hand of the leading lady, Taylor Frankie Paul. The Bachelorette Season 22 was to premiere on March 22, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Three days before the premiere on March 19th, TMZ released a video from a 2023 domestic violence incident showing Paul attacking her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. Disney Entertainment Television then removed the season from ABC’s broadcast schedule.
Richard Van De Water Age
Van De Water was born on November 30, 1989, in the U.S.A. He is 36 years old as of 2025. Van De Water celebrates his birthday on November 30th.
Richard Van De Water Height
Van De Water stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 7 inches.
Richard Van De Water Family
Van De Water hails from Charleston, South Carolina, but has managed to keep his personal life away from the limelight; hence, he has not disclosed any details about his parents. It is also unknown if Van De Water has any siblings.
Richard Van De Water Wife
Van De Water is single as one of the competitors on The Bachelorette Season 22. He enjoys being around his people, traveling, exploring the outdoors, or helping those around him. He is grateful for Thanksgiving, enjoys hunting for shark teeth, and is always up for a surfing adventure.
Richard Van De Water Net Worth
Van De Water has an estimated net worth of between $100K-$2 million, which he has earned through his successful career as a reality TV personality and photographer.
Richard Van De Water The Bachelorette Season 22
Van De Water was set to appear in The Bachelorette Season 22 to compete for the hand of the leading lady, Taylor Frankie Paul. The Bachelorette Season 22 was to premiere on March 22, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Taylor is a TikTok influencer, reality TV star, and single mom who went viral for revealing that she and her husband had been “soft-swinging” with other Mormon couples. She also stars in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. On March 15, 2026, Taylor appeared on The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose, where she was advised by 18 former leads of the franchise.
The Bachelorette Season 22 would have made history because Taylor would’ve been the first-ever leading lady to have not appeared on any previous season of The Bachelor. With Jesse Palmer as the host, the show would have chronicled Taylor’s romantic journey as 22 single men vie for her heart. They would’ve gone on “one-on-one” dates to form deep connections and “group dates” that normally involve challenges or physical competitions. If one of the men doesn’t receive a rose at the end of every episode, they are eliminated.
Van De Water’s faith plays a central part in his life, and he is waiting for a picture-perfect love. With a kind demeanor and loyal heart, he longs for someone who’ll finally give him that “I’m finally home” feeling. Seeing his friends settle down has played a role in his wanting to get married and begin a family of his own. Though soft-spoken, his love for others speaks volumes. Some of the other 22 men in the show include
- Michael Baba
- Ronn Perez
- Mike Turitto
- Shane Parton
- Rod Strozier
- Trenten Merrill
Richard Van De Water Education
Van De Water joined Anderson University (SC) in 2008 after completing his high school studies. In 2012, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies. While in college, he was on the Dean’s List from 2011 to 2012. He also co-founded the Anderson University Ducks Unlimited Chapter.
Richard Van De Water Career
Since January 2021, Van De Water has worked as a professional travel and lifestyle photographer. He served as the photo author of the “ISRAEL: BEAUTY, LIGHT, AND LUXURY” coffee table book with Tara-Leigh Cobble. Before that, he was a creative content director at AMPLOS for a year. He also worked as a senior graphic designer at Blaze Media.
Van De Water served Let People See as a cinematographer and director of photography. From 2015 to 2016, he was a cinematographer and editor at REMEDY. He worked as a project manager and graphic designer at Rootloud.
Richard Van De Water Social Media Platforms
He is active on his social media accounts and often posts on his Instagram, which has over 5.7K.