Michael & Holly Win Bachelor Pad -- Split $250,000 Prize (Oh Yeah, And Holly’s Engaged!)

By RadarOnline.com Staff

The door has finally closed on the Bachelor Pad. (Don’t let it hit you in the behind Vienna & Kasey).

Last night’s three-hour, drama-filled finale of the ABC reality show ( yes, it was THREE HOURS long!) ended with former lovebirds Michael Stagliano and Holly Durst beating out 16 other contestants to win the show's $250,000 prize  -- and the surprising news that Holly is secretly engaged to dentist Blake Julian. (Poor Michael -- finding it out on live TV).

During the first hour, Michael and Holly competed against the remaining couples (Vienna Girardi & Kasey Kahl, Michelle Money & Graham Bunn and Ella Nolan & Kirk DeWindt) in a wild Cirque du Soleil challenge in Las Vegas.

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The final couples had 24 hours to perfect their routines, and in the end, a panel of former Bachelorette stars -- acting as judges -- deemed Michael and Holly the best of the bunch and awarded them roses.  The worst couple -- Kirk and Ella -- were sent home.

For their win, Michael and Holly were allowed to pick which of the remaining couples would go with them to the finals.  After struggling with their decision, Michael and Holly gave pals Graham and Michelle the final rose, therefore giving Kasey and Vienna the boot. (Finally!)

During the two-hour reunion show that followed,  the 14 eliminated contestants wrote down the name of the remaining couple they wanted to win. Michael and Holly nabbed 10 votes, while Michelle and Graham got 4.

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At that point, Holly and Michael were the only ones in the running for the $250,000  grand prize -- but, since this is Bachelor Pad, there was a twist.

Without talking to each other, Michael and Holly had to decide whether to "Share" or "Keep" the winnings. If they both chose share, they split the winnings equally. If one chose “Share” and the other chose “Keep,” the person who chose “Keep” got the entire $250,000. But if both chose “Keep”, neither contestant would walk away with any loot.

In the event that happened, all of their former competitors would split the grand prize.

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Holly revealed her response first: she would “Share.”

"Michael and I have been through so much over the past couple of years," Holly said. "He is more than deserving of the money."

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Michael then revealed his decision. He too said “Share.”

"We talked about this moment,"  Michael said, so both won $125,000.

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