'Bachelor' Star Gerry Turner's Romantic Past Is Not So Golden

Gerry Turner

Consider this a word to the wise: Reality TV is just that TV.

America fell in love with the wholesome image of Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner, a real-life widower portrayed as a grandpa who's been pining for love since his wife of 43 years died suddenly in 2017.

But it turns out that the 72-year-old may have stretched the truth about his romantic and professional life.

In a scathing exposé, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed a woman who claims to have had a nearly three-year relationship with Gerry. The outlet confirmed her story through interviews with the woman (identified as Carolyn, a pseudonym to protect her identity), her friends, documents and her text messages.

The stunning new allegations are in stark contrast to the charming picture producers painted of the teary-eyed senior talking about his late wife. We feel a little less sorry for the Midwestern charmer and little misled by his comments that he was "dying inside" over eliminating a contestant.

Read on to find out more about Gerry Turner's IRL romantic past!

Has Gerry been in a relationship since his wife died?

That's apparently a yes. Incredibly, "Carolyn," who is 14 years younger than the Golden Bachelor, told THR that their romance started just a month after his wife died.

She was working as an accountant at the Vera French Mental Health Center in Davenport, Iowa, where she befriended Gerry, who was toiling as a maintenance man at the facility.

When did Gerry and 'Carolyn' hook up?

Carolyn and Gerry were allegedly work friends before his wife died in 2017. According to THR, she had planned his retirement party when he moved from Iowa to his lake dream home in Indiana with Toni.

The two didn't begin their relationship until after Toni's death in July 2017. In August, Gerry returned to Iowa to settle his late wife's estate and asked "Carolyn" for help. The two had dinner which led to a series of flirty texts that escalated quickly.

“The idea that I’d go out with a recent widower just mortifies me,” "Carolyn" told THR. “I just really didn’t see it. Until I went back and looked at my text messages, I never realized Gerry’s texts had turned hot and heavy so relatively soon.”

Did Gerry live with another woman after his wife died?

Yes, according to the shocking THR report. Gerry allegedly was so smitten that he begged "Carolyn" to move in with him.

After 10 months of long-distance dating, she moved into Gerry’s lake home in Indiana in July 2018, but their cohabitation wasn't a rosy as she had envisioned.

She soon learned he was a cheapskate who asked her to split household expenses and even restaurant checks when they dined out.

When did Gerry break up with his girlfriend?

Their relationship really hit the skids In October 2019, when Gerry was planning to attend his high school reunion. His girlfriend told the mag that he said he was offended by her 10-pound weight gain.

“I’m not taking you to the reunion looking like that,” "Carolyn" quoted Gerry to THR.

That's not the caring attitude he has shown toward the women on The Golden Bachelor, which means he may not be quite as sincere as viewers want to believe.

They split a couple months later and she claims Gerry told her to move out of his house by Jan. 1, 2020. At least he offered to cover her U-Haul expenses.

Did Gerry Turner own a restaurant?

Although Gerry once owned a restaurant, he hasn’t done that work in years, according to THR. The show trumpeted Gerry’s career as an ex-restaurant owner, he sold his Mr. Quick hamburger franchise way back in 1985.

Did Gerry hide his real work history?

Hide may be a strong word here. More likely, he omitted his odd jobs after selling his restaurant. According THR, he's worked in sales and management in the meat industry, installed hot tubs and worked as a maintenance man.

Has Gerry Turner dated other women before The Golden Bachelor?

The Sun has reported that Gerry had other relationships he’s never mentioned on the hit ABC reality show.

Heather Lanning-Adams, a former waitress at the Shady Nook bar and restaurant in Hudson, Indiana, located near Gerry’s home, claimed in the last six years, “He dated a couple of women. They weren’t all long-term, but they … weren’t short-term either…. He was with a couple of women for a decent amount of time, but it just didn’t work out.”

Has Gerry responded to the scandal?

ABC and Gerry declined to comment for The Hollywood Reporter article.

How to watch The Golden Bachelor finale

On Thursday night, fans will be on the edge of their seats for the dramatic season finale in which Gerry will choose between dancer/fitness trainer Leslie Fhima, 64, and financial services professional Theresa Nist, 70.

But will they also be talking about the star's troubling controversy?

Tune in to The Golden Bachelor finale and “After the Final Rose” from 8 to 10:04 p.m. Thursday night on ABC.