Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist stopped talking after their divorce, but recently reconnected. Ahead of the release of his memoir, Golden Years: What I’ve Learned from Love, Loss, and Reality TV, Gerry revealed that Theresa contacted him about a month ago. She wanted to know what he’d written in the book so she could prepare their families. However, Gerry explained to Francesca Amiker of TopMob News that he couldn’t share any details until his publisher allowed him to. Despite this, Gerry isn’t worried about Theresa sharing her own perspective on what led to their split.
No, not exactly,” he said. “I don’t think of this as a competition or a back-and-forth argument. That’s not what I’m trying to do here.”
Gerry decided he wanted to share his side of the story, believing it was important to set the record straight. He initially planned to remain silent for a long time, and he did, but after hearing many inaccurate accounts – some even originating with Theresa – he felt compelled to speak up. He wanted to share the full truth, and that was his only motivation.
Gerry and Theresa announced their engagement on the season finale of The Golden Bachelor in November 2023 and were married just two months later in January. However, after only three months of marriage, they revealed on Good Morning America that they had decided to separate. Though they stated they still cared for each other at the time, it appears they are no longer even on friendly terms.
Theresa explained on the October 7th episode of the She’s All Bach podcast that she and Gerry aren’t in contact anymore, partly because he recently got engaged to Lana Sutton. While she doesn’t think there’s any bad feeling between them, she wanted him to be with someone else and gave him space to find a new relationship. She’s genuinely happy that he did.
Gerry Turner’s memoir details the difficulties he and Theresa Nist faced before their wedding. They disagreed on where to live – he’s in Indiana, she’s in New Jersey – and their future lifestyles. Gerry claims Theresa changed her mind about retiring from her finance career, and he wanted a partner who could travel and be adventurous. He even confided in Golden Bachelor contestant Faith Martin the night before the wedding, admitting he felt marrying Theresa was a mistake but felt stuck due to all the publicity.
However, Theresa disputes Gerry’s account.
In a statement to She’s All Bach, the 72-year-old said Gerry’s recollections of their conversations are inaccurate and likely embellished for dramatic effect. She expressed sadness that he felt trapped and wished he had been honest with her, stating she believed he loved her but now realizes she was misled. She says his private behavior now makes sense to her.
More surprising details from Gerry’s book are coming soon.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen a lot of heartbreak, but Gerry Turner’s story truly stands out. Losing his high school sweetheart, Toni, to a sudden bacterial infection just weeks after they’d finally settled into their dream home was devastating enough. But what made it even harder was discovering, after she was gone, that she’d been quietly battling Type 2 diabetes. It was a hidden struggle on top of an already unimaginable loss, especially considering she was the mother of his daughters, Jenny Young and Angie Warner.
He wrote in his 2025 memoir, Golden Years: What I’ve Learned From Love, Loss, and Reality TV, that he was overwhelmed with questions and regrets. He explained that diabetes, if not properly treated, puts a lot of strain on the body, especially the kidneys. He wondered if Toni could have lived longer if she hadn’t dismissed her health concerns as unimportant, and if he had, in any way, encouraged that attitude. He also regretted that she hadn’t felt comfortable sharing her diabetes diagnosis with him.
Even though he couldn’t bring himself to stay in the house they’d picked out together in Indiana, he put up a picture of his wife of 43 years in his new home’s closet. He explained, “That way, I see her beautiful picture every morning when I get dressed.”
I was really surprised to read that he disputed a story from The Hollywood Reporter about his life after retiring – especially the part about relationships he hadn’t mentioned on The Golden Bachelor. He claimed he hadn’t dated in over forty years! But you know what? He admitted in his book that the article did get one thing right. He actually had met the woman he eventually connected with at Toni’s funeral. It was a small detail, but a significant one, and I was glad he confirmed it.
He started dating, and eventually moved in with, a woman he felt a strong connection with. However, he admits he rushed into the relationship. Even if he’d been emotionally ready, which he wasn’t, he hadn’t been in a relationship since he was 18, and that should have signaled him to proceed with caution. Instead, he did the opposite.
Joan Vassos, who was set to be the Golden Bachelorette, decided to leave the show because her daughter was having a difficult time after giving birth. Gerry was understandably upset by her decision, even though he understood it. “It really hurt,” he said. “I truly believed she could have been the one for me, and it was a big disappointment.”
I remember when she left, it was a real shock. But months later, she surprised him – and me! – by sending him a beautiful coffee table book of photos by Annie Leibovitz. He’d always loved her work, especially after they’d spent time looking at it together, and it was such a thoughtful gesture.
He admitted he still hoped to be a part of her life. Visiting her while she was giving out roses, he realized he was glad she was doing well, but also felt a pang of sadness, as a part of him would always care for her.
Gerry found it particularly difficult to eliminate Ellen Goltzer. Before meeting families, he knew he definitely wanted to keep both Faith Martin and Leslie Fhima, but the hardest part was choosing between Ellen, a retired teacher, and Theresa Nist, who would eventually become his wife.
Honestly, both women seemed really lovely and I could genuinely see a future with either of them. There weren’t any warning signs at all! But, I was completely exhausted and up against a tight deadline, so I knew I had to make a decision and unfortunately, it meant saying goodbye to one of them.
He said he ended things with her because they simply didn’t have a romantic connection. While he wasn’t completely certain Theresa was the one for him, he was even more certain Ellen wasn’t a good match.
Gerry said he felt only excitement when he was with Leslie, who would later become the runner-up. However, he sometimes worried that Leslie’s lifestyle was too wild and fast-paced, especially considering her past relationship with Prince.
He couldn’t decide between Leslie and Theresa, and started to worry that the fitness instructor’s past two divorces showed they had very different ideas about what commitment meant, which he feared would cause problems for them later on.
Looking back, he realized his previous concerns about Leslie weren’t about her lack of commitment, but rather stemmed from his own insecurities, especially when contrasted with Theresa’s strong devotion to her late husband. He now sees it as a personal issue of confidence, not a reflection on Leslie.
Oh my gosh, he never wanted to hurt her, not even a little bit, but honestly, he really wishes he hadn’t told both Leslie and Faith he loved them back when they were in their hometowns. It just… it feels like that was a mistake, you know? He truly regrets it, and it breaks my heart to think about how that must have felt for her.
He explained that he truly meant what he’d told Leslie and Faith. However, looking back, he realized that real love requires complete and total devotion to one person. He felt he hadn’t given that to either of them, and that regret still weighs on him.
After host Jesse Palmer invited them to spend a private night in the fantasy suites, Gerry realized how strongly he felt about Theresa. They talked about their future together, including her plans to retire, and Gerry realized he’d found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He said he knew, based on everything he’d learned about her, that she was the one.
But his decision to offer the final rose to the New Jersey resident was certainly a thorny one.
In his memoir, he explained that while Theresa initially seemed like the best choice based on logic, Leslie quickly became a strong possibility when he listened to his heart. He found himself torn between the two, constantly weighing the comfort and security of Theresa against the thrill and uncertainty of Leslie. He described it as a choice between what was safe and familiar, and what was exciting but potentially risky.
Let me tell you, witnessing Gerry and Theresa’s Costa Rican engagement was truly heartwarming! They celebrated with a cozy room service meal, and it was so sweet – Gerry actually told me that sharing that moment confirmed everything he’d been hoping for in a partner. He described Theresa as bright, thoughtful, and just wonderfully warm – honestly, it was the perfect description of their connection!
Once they were apart, though, things became difficult. He admitted their nightly conversations felt strained. He noticed she spoke in the same way no matter what the topic – whether discussing work issues or something as simple as getting breakfast.
Their secret trip to New York City didn’t immediately spark romance. Gerry quickly discovered Theresa was very health-conscious, sticking to a diet with no sugar, which wasn’t quite what he had in mind for a getaway.
He explained that fish and salad were almost all she ate. When he asked about getting groceries to give him energy, she told him, ‘I don’t eat things like that.’
Gerry readily admits he wasn’t familiar with the Kardashians. After the show, he was invited to Kris Jenner’s home for dinner, and surprisingly, he wasn’t nervous. “I didn’t know much about the family at all,” he explained. In fact, he was so unaware that he jokingly suggested to the driver taking him to dinner that the Kardashians might be benefiting from their show’s success. The driver, according to Gerry, was clearly shocked by the comment.
Throughout the night, he spoke with Kendall Jenner’s boyfriend, Bad Bunny, and even had a conversation with Kris Jenner about hearing aids. However, he denied Kendall’s accusation that he was flirting with her mother. He explained, “That’s not true. I was just quickly caught up in her lively personality.”
Like the saying goes, every rose has its thorn, but Gerry’s relationship with Theresa felt overwhelmingly difficult. A major issue was Theresa telling him during a private getaway that she was ready to retire, then later admitting she wanted to work another year to save more money. Gerry felt frustrated, writing that he was upset because her financial situation didn’t match what she’d shared on the show, and it made him question what else she hadn’t been truthful about.
He became annoyed by her daily $12 smoothies and her lack of cooking, estimating that she ate out or ordered takeout for four to five dinners each week.
He didn’t feel settled in New Jersey, and she disliked the rural life in Indiana – she told Gerry she couldn’t imagine living there because it felt too isolated. They had planned to move to South Carolina together, but he said she turned down every house he found in the $800,000 to $1.25 million price range, and instead wanted properties costing over $4 million.
Okay, so things weren’t perfect, I’ll admit that. Gerry started seeing things clearly, especially as the wedding got closer – he was having doubts about Theresa, you could tell. But honestly? They just went through with it anyway! The whole thing was televised, can you believe it? They actually said ‘I do’ in January 2024, even with all that going on. I was glued to the screen, of course, desperately hoping it would all work out, but… well, you know how it is.
Gerry, having seen how complicated divorces can be, knew a prenuptial agreement was essential. He sent the documents to Theresa right away, but grew anxious when she didn’t sign them immediately. He worried she was deliberately delaying to make the agreement invalid. Although she eventually signed, the experience made Gerry seriously doubt their relationship and wonder if they’d rushed into things – he admitted to having major second thoughts about whether they should have dated longer before planning a future together.
He realized there was nothing he could do to prevent the wedding, especially without embarrassing himself or Theresa. His only option was to accept the situation, stay silent, and follow through with the commitment he’d made to try his best to have a happy marriage.
Gerry’s feet were still cold when he spoke with Faith, the woman who received his first impression rose, at the rehearsal dinner.
He explained that he’d opened up to Faith, telling her, ‘This wedding is a mistake.’ He felt stuck and wished he could escape the situation, but didn’t see a way out. Faith responded by asking, ‘Why are you doing this if you know it’s wrong? That’s not like you at all,’ and she even poked him in the chest to emphasize her point.
Despite knowing he shouldn’t, he went through with the wedding. He explained that a lifelong habit of trying to please others was too powerful to overcome. He felt obligated to everyone involved – his daughters, Theresa’s family, the wedding guests who had traveled, and the team who worked so hard to create a special day. Above all, he didn’t want to disappoint Theresa, even though he had concerns about how quickly their relationship was moving.
Though if you ask her, she’d rather have been a jilted bride than a divorcée.
She told Us Weekly that it deeply saddened her to learn he felt so hopeless and stuck. She wished he had reached out for help or simply expressed his desire to stop going on.
After Gerry and Theresa got married, it became clear she wasn’t interested in continuing a romantic connection, even privately. When Gerry visited her at home in New Jersey just a week after the wedding, he said he felt like an unwelcome guest, as if he didn’t belong there.
She asked him to sleep on the sofa because she had a busy day ahead, and that’s when the strange feeling really hit him. He said he told her, “Sure, no problem,” but inside he was confused, thinking, “Wait, we’re married! Why is she asking me this?”
He stayed on the couch for three nights and drove back to Indiana a day sooner than planned. Gerry observed that Theresa seemed like a different person compared to when they were in Costa Rica. While she had been comfortable and even initiated intimacy at the resort, she completely ignored those opportunities once they were back in the States.
Gerry and his wife met in Los Angeles after the finale of Joey Graziadei’s season in March 2024 to discuss their relationship. They both realized they’d rushed into marriage and decided to separate, Gerry shared.
Gerry explained that, unlike their usually stressful phone calls during their long-distance relationship, this conversation was the most comfortable they’d ever had. He said that by finally addressing a difficult topic, they were able to speak openly and honestly with each other.
Even though Gerry’s daughters understood why he was getting a divorce, he still found it difficult. He mostly felt like he had let people down, explaining that he hadn’t understood others as well as he believed. He regretted rushing into a marriage he wasn’t sure about, and he kept replaying his mistakes, feeling like a failure. He described being in a very low and unhappy state.
Looking at news reports about their breakup only made things worse. Gerry felt that while he chose not to publicly address the rumors, Theresa could have clarified a few key points. He wished she’d said he was financially secure and that they’d separated on good terms, agreeing it was a mutual decision.
He admitted to feeling completely overwhelmed, to the point where he didn’t want to face the day. One night, lying awake, he felt like he couldn’t cope anymore and briefly considered ending his life. But the thought of his daughters, Jenny and Angie, stopped him. He didn’t actually want to die, he explained, but desperately wanted to escape the pain. He was used to pushing through difficult times, believing the pain would eventually subside, but this felt different – like it would never end.
Just two weeks after filing for divorce, Gerry called his wife to ask if she had a moment to talk. He shared details about his health – he was beginning to experience symptoms of a slow-growing cancer called Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, though he hadn’t officially been diagnosed yet.
He said he couldn’t recall what she said during the call, as Theresa didn’t say much. He did remember, however, that she never followed up to check on him or find out what had happened.
However, Gerry shared that he still hears from former co-stars Susan Noles and Kathy Swarts often. He and Theresa, on the other hand, have completely stopped speaking. “We don’t talk anymore,” Gerry explained, “there’s just no reason to.”
Gerry was left questioning if Theresa joined The Golden Bachelor for genuine reasons. He shared, “The women on the show, as a group, actually helped me overcome a difficult time more than anything else.” Now engaged to Lana Sutton, Gerry explained that many of the women understood what had happened at the mansion and felt he’d been betrayed, which is why they all expressed a similar feeling of disappointment.
Something that really made him question Theresa’s intentions was the rumor that she was spotted at the mansion with a copy of the book How to Win The Bachelor – suggesting she was there to strategize, not just to connect with the lead.
Gerry wrote that seeing Theresa huddled on the couch, carefully planning how to get a rose, really bothered him. It made him realize she wasn’t there to find love, but simply to win the competition.
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2025-11-04 20:20