It feels just like yesterday that the finale of The Golden Bachelor aired, and 72-year-old Gerry Turner got down on one knee to propose to the love of his life, Theresa Nist, and that’s why hearing about The Golden Bachelor divorce has been heartbreaking. The couple seemed deeply, madly in love, and their fairytale wedding was even aired as a live special on ABC on January 4, 2024. At the altar, Turner said to Nist, “From the first sip of chocolate shake to the last taste of Costa Rican coffee, I learned that you are the woman I can’t live without.“
But just three short months later, on April 12, 2024, the golden couple announced the dissolution of their marriage. So, what went wrong in paradise? Why is this seemingly perfect match calling it quits? Here’s a closer look at some of the reasons behind their decision and how they are handling this unexpected turn of events.
The Two Never Moved in Together and Have Been Long Distance Ever Since the Show Concluded
After the show ended, Turner and Nist never actually moved in together. Turner stayed in Indiana, while Nist worked as a compliance officer at a financial advisory firm in New Jersey. The couple had planned to move in together after their wedding and were even looking for homes in South Carolina.
But both Turner and Nist are parents and grandparents who are really close to their families. In the end, they decided moving away from their loved ones wasn’t the right choice. They tried a three-month long-distance relationship, meeting up whenever they could, but it was clear that it wouldn’t work long-term. During their joint interview on Good Morning America where they announced the split, they also hinted that the decision to stay close to their families in their respective states was the main factor behind their separation.
Gerry Turner’s Ex-Girlfriend Spoke Out Right Before the Finale
Adding fuel to the fire was the drama surrounding Turner’s ex-girlfriend right before the season finale. On the show, Turner had said he hadn’t dated in 45 years, which became a big part of his persona and why fans loved him. But just before the finale, The Hollywood Reporter published an exposé claiming Turner had had several past relationships after his wife passed away. Turner’s ex-girlfriend, who wanted to stay anonymous, shared that she had been in a nearly three-year relationship with him, starting just a month after his wife’s death.
She was upset because she recognized the lines and moves he used on the show that he had previously used to charm her. She said she used to drive hours to spend weekends with Turner, and even left her settled life in Iowa to move in with him. The breakup was especially cruel. She was packing for Turner’s high school reunion in 2019 when he told her she couldn’t come because she had gained 10 pounds. He coldly asked her to leave by January 1, 2020 and didn’t even let her stay in the lake house for the final week of her job notice. He made her stay at a hotel instead.
Heather, a waitress and friend of Turner’s at the bar next to his lake house, also corroborated the story. She revealed that Turner had been in numerous relationships over the past six years. And while they weren’t always long-term, they weren’t just flings either. When asked about his dating history, Turner denied any misrepresentation, saying he had dated several women, but that it all comes down to how you define a “relationship.”
Their Divorce Has Been a Head-Scratcher for Fans
The split came as a huge shock to fans who’d watched Turner and Nist bond throughout the season. And unlike The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, where weddings are rare, The Golden Bachelor ended with a fairytale wedding, which seemed like the perfect story Bachelor Nation had been waiting for. It felt like the show set out to prove how older contestants would be more mature and self-aware and that it was possible to find love at any age. Instead, it ended up proving the complete opposite.
This has led some fans to question if the whole show was just a ruse. Many fans have gone back to rewatch footage from the wedding, trying to spot signs that the couple was never truly in love. The divorce also raises a major red flag for the upcoming spin-off, The Golden Bachelorette, expected to come out in fall 2024. It’ll be difficult for viewers to trust that the love on the show is real and worth watching. Another show centered around seniors could face the same issue unless they only cast men who live close to the lead bachelorette or are definitely willing to move.
The Senior Ex-Couple Is Still Not Giving Up on Love and Wishes the Best for Each Other
Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Turner and Nist still haven’t given up on love. In their joint interview on Good Morning America, they held hands the entire time and admitted they still cared about each other and didn’t want anyone to lose hope. They emphasized that their decision to part ways was mutual and came from a desire for happiness for each other. They encouraged fans to stay hopeful for love and shared that they are still open to looking for new relationships — just not with each other.
And in the end, their decision makes sense, considering their circumstances. They had established their entire lives in different places. They were both parents and grandparents. Marriage while arguably, might be (relatively) easily reversible. Selling your house, uprooting your whole life, and moving away from your family isn’t. Check out this detailed guide on Gerry Turner, the winner of The Golden Bachelor.
Follow Us
