The Golden Bachelor: Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist’s Journey
On January 4, 2024, over 5 million viewers watched Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist exchange vows in a live wedding special after falling in love on ABC’s The Golden Bachelor. This moment was a highlight for the network, showcasing Turner as its first senior Bachelor, a 72-year-old widower from Indiana.
Unfortunately, like many romances from the Bachelor franchise, Turner’s marriage to Nist, a 70-year-old financial planner from New Jersey, did not endure. They announced their divorce during a joint interview on Good Morning America in April 2024, with Turner sharing that they had mutually decided it was time to part ways.
A year and a half later, Turner has opened up about his experiences in a new memoir titled Golden Years: What I’ve Learned From Love, Loss, and Reality TV. The book details his transformation from a grieving widower to an unexpected television star and reflects on his short-lived marriage to Nist, including insights on what went wrong.
Entertainment Weekly published an exclusive excerpt from this memoir, where Turner recounts his awkward first visit to Nist’s home in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, shortly after their wedding. Nist has challenged Turner’s portrayal of events, offering her perspective following the chapter excerpt.
Turner’s memoir discusses the challenges he faced in transitioning their televised romance to real life. Describing his visit to Nist’s home, he felt a sense of pressure and guilt, given the expectations stemming from their commitment. While wanting to make the relationship work for both of them and their families, he struggled with feelings of displacement in her small house.
Notably, Turner found himself uncomfortable when it came to physical intimacy, noting that during his stay, Nist had him sleep on the couch, which made him question their marital connection. These moments contrasted sharply with the close bond they seemed to share during their engagement.
Upon reaching out for comments, Nist indicated that Turner’s recollection of events did not align with her account, suggesting that some of his anecdotes seemed exaggerated. She clarified that they did share a bed during his first night at her home and explained her reasons for wanting a more tranquil sleeping situation the following nights.
