Gerry Turner starred as ABC’s first ‘Golden Bachelor’ looking for love among 22 women.

Marriage and Divorce

Gerry Turner thought he found love on ABC’s Bachelor spinoff The Golden Bachelor. But, in April 2024, he filed for divorce from his wife, Theresa Nist, whom he’d married just three months prior.

“Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations, and we’ve looked closely at our situation, and we’ve come to the conclusion mutually that it’s probably time for us to dissolve our marriage,” Turner said on Good Morning America.

Early Life and Motivation

Before The Golden Bachelor aired, Gerry Turner — whose first name is pronounced GAIR-ee — said he was pushed to audition by his two daughters after their mother, Turner’s wife, died. Though the pressure could make any man nervous, he told GMA that being the first elderly man to lead the show “feels amazing.”

Gerry Turner Personal Life and Location

Gerry Turner is from Indiana, where he lives “in his dream house on a beautiful lake,” according to The Golden Bachelor’s official synopsis. Prior to their split, Turner told PEOPLE that he and Nist, who is from New Jersey, planned to move south to Charleston, South Carolina.

“One of the things that I think fate played a hand in is the possibility of where we might wind up living,” Turner told PEOPLE. “For the last couple of years, when my family gets together, I’ve talked about moving to South Carolina, and it’s an idea I’ve toyed with. And then in conversation with Theresa, a private moment, she’s saying, ‘Well, yeah, my son lives near Charleston in South Carolina.’

Career Highlights

As the first senior-aged man to lead the Bachelor spin-off show, Turner set the precedent for men dating in their 70s. But the pressure didn’t get to him and he remained positive about his prospects, saying he “has nothing to lose.”

Hobbies and Retirement

Before he started his journey as a reality TV star, Gerry Turner was a restaurateur, though he is now retired. He also has a number of hobbies that he is excited to share with Nist, including pickleball and golf.

“He’s often busy hosting barbecues, playing pickleball, cheering on his favorite Chicago sports teams, four-wheeling, and spending time with friends and family at restaurants and local haunts,” his official description reads.

Previous Marriage and Loss

Gerry Turner married his high school sweetheart, Toni, in 1974. The two lived a “full and happy life” until Toni’s sudden death in 2017, six weeks after she retired and fell ill.

“She got robbed. Every day that goes by, that’s the thought that I have,” Turner told GMA. “I have her picture on a dresser in my closet. Every morning I give her a nod, ‘So what do you think about this?’ For a while, it was like, I was having a hard time figuring out if she would be okay. But we always told each other when one of us goes, we want the other to be happy. She’s up there rooting [for me]. She’s saying, ‘Yeah, Gerry. Do this.’

Family and Support

Gerry Turner raised two daughters, Angie and Jenny, with his deceased wife. He also has two granddaughters: Charlee and Payton. Turner’s daughters encouraged him to join the show and were cheering him on when he got chosen as the first Golden Bachelor.

“They started screaming and everybody gathered round,” he said on GMA of his daughter’s reactions to the news.

Dating Preferences and Relationships

While chatting with weizhim in October 2023, Turner shared two of his dealbreakers. He said he “would not date a smoker” and would be hesitant to enter a relationship where geography was a “serious obstacle.”

However, Turner added that he’s “trying really hard to stay open-minded,” even in the face of red flags.

“Something may look like a red flag on its surface, but when you explore it a little bit further, you might find that it’s not a problem at all,” he explained.

Wedding and Separation

Following the finale of The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner and Nist announced they were getting married during a live TV event on ABC. The lavish wedding took place on Jan. 4, 2024, at the La Quinta Resort and Club in La Quinta, California. Nist, who walked down the aisle with her son, Tom, wore a Badgley Mischka gown, while Turner donned a classic black tux.

“From the first sip of chocolate shake to the last taste of Costa Rican coffee, I learned that you are the woman I can’t live without,” Turner said to Nist at the altar. “I learned that you make me calm, with the touch of your hand. I’ve learned that you make me laugh with the easy comfort of long-lost friends.”

Official Announcement and Conclusion

During a joint interview, which aired on Good Morning America, Nist and Gerry Turner announced their decision to “dissolve” their marriage. The couple hinted that relocating away from their families in Indiana and New Jersey played a big part in their decision to split.

“We just feel like it’s best for the happiness of each of us to live apart,” Turner said, adding, “I still love this person. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

He officially filed for divorce from Nist on April 12, 2024, and they reached a settlement in June 2024.