‘Golden Bachelor’ Gerry Turner, wife Theresa Nist to divorce after 3 months of marriage
No longer golden.
“Golden Bachelor” lead Gerry Turner and his wife, Theresa Nist, are getting divorced after three months of marriage. The couple made the emotional announcement on “Good Morning America” Friday.
“Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations … and looked closely to our living situations,” he said, noting that they’ve decided to “dissolve” their marriage.
“We just feel like it’s best for the happiness of each of us to live apart,” he said. “I still love this person. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
The pair held hands during the sit-down. Nist explained that they looked at homes in South Carolina and considered New Jersey to settle down, but nothing came of their initial plans.
“I still love you,” the two said to each other. They did have a prenup, consider themselves “best friends” and will stay in touch. Even more, they are still looking for love — just not with each other.
“GMA” teased the shocking interview on Thursday, claiming the two had “something new they want to share” that would “have everyone talking.”
The news comes after reports that they were living separately, with Turner in Indiana and Nist in New Jersey. Turner proposed to Nist over runner-up Leslie Fhima in Costa Rica on the finale, which aired in November.
They married in an ABC-televised ceremony on Jan. 4.
“I promise to be your calm in a storm, to comfort you when you’re sad, to laugh with you when you’re happy, and just stick with you throughout it all,” Nist said in her vows.
“But most of all, to have fun for the rest of the days that we have left on this Earth — which could be another hour,” she joked.
Turner added, “I promise to make you feel comforted in difficult times, and abundantly joyful and great times. I promise in those dark Pillow Talk moments when silence deafens to share my innermost thoughts with you and to listen to yours tenderly and carefully because we have a trust that cannot be broken.”
“I also promise to keep track of your reading glasses all the time, and apparently some of your shoes now,” he quipped.
His daughters Angie and Jenny, as well as Theresa’s daughter, Jen, all spoke during the ceremony.
According to Turner’s Instagram, the “blended family” recently filmed an episode of “Celebrity Family Feud.” It is unclear when the episode will air.
In November 2023, Turner faced criticism when a woman identified only as “Carolyn” alleged to the Hollywood Reporter that she dated him for a few years before finding love on TV.
While their alleged relationship was long over, Turner and the franchise faced criticism for never mentioning this throughout his season.
The widower’s story that stole America’s hearts included losing his wife of 43 years, Toni, to an infection in 2017 and worrying he’d never find love again. However, “Carolyn” provided text messages that alleged Turner was gushing over her less than three months after Toni’s death.
He was also accused of dumping her for gaining weight. In response, Turner told the New York Times: “I guess I haven’t really looked at it as how accurate it is,” admitting he gave the article a “cursory look.”
“I’ve more looked at it in terms of timing, and how it really doesn’t fit with all of the positive things that are going on in my life right now,” he continued. “I mean, I’m sitting across from Theresa right now, and I look at her, and she’s the love of my life. And I really don’t have time to think about some of the other stuff.”
“I have the wonderful love of Theresa, my partner,” he continued. “I don’t have time to reflect on comments like this. I’m happy to look forward.”
