“The Golden Bachelor,” Gerry Turner, and his wife, Theresa Nist, announced their divorce on Friday, just three months after their televised wedding. Speaking on “Good Morning America,” Turner, 72, revealed, “Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations, evaluating our situation, our living arrangements, and so forth. We mutually concluded that it’s probably time for us to dissolve our marriage.”
The couple exchanged vows in a televised ceremony in January, following their meeting last fall on the inaugural season of “The Golden Bachelor,” a spinoff of the popular ABC dating reality show “The Bachelor.”
Expressing gratitude to their supporters, Nist, 70, stated, “We’ve received overwhelming support from our fans. Many have shared how our story gave them hope. We hope that spirit continues for everyone.”
Turner and Nist did not disclose the specific reasons behind their separation but indicated that they struggled with deciding on a permanent residence. Nist, originally from New Jersey and working in financial services, contrasted with Turner, a retired restaurateur from Indiana.
In November, they had discussed settling in South Carolina. “We examined possibilities in South Carolina, weighed New Jersey, and visited various residences,” Nist elaborated. “However, we never arrived at a definitive choice.”
During the inaugural season of “The Golden Bachelor,” which provided seniors with an opportunity to find love, Turner and Nist endeared themselves to viewers. Turner, who had lost his high school sweetheart, Toni, in 2017, sought a new romantic connection. Despite their marriage ending relatively quickly, Turner and Nist emphasized that their affection for each other remains unchanged.
“I still harbor deep feelings towards her,” Turner confessed. “Every day, I wish her well.” “Yeah, I still hold love for him,” Nist echoed.