Gerry Turner, the former star of "The Golden Bachelor," is navigating life with a positive outlook despite a recent cancer diagnosis. In a candid appearance on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast, Turner shared that he has been diagnosed with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a rare form of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow. At 73, he expressed a sense of optimism about his health and future.
Turner first revealed his diagnosis in December 2024, describing it as a slow-growing cancer that transforms white blood cells into cancer cells, leading to an excess of these cells in the bone marrow. According to the National Institute of Health, this condition affects approximately three in a million people annually in the United States, with men being twice as likely to develop it compared to women.
During the podcast episode aired on April 15, 2025, Turner stated, "I feel great. Until I have any symptoms, there's no treatment. So I go frequently for blood tests. I'm on, like, a six-month schedule now, and I feel optimistic because the doctor has said, ‘When you turn 75, we're going to have to go three-month increments.’ So it's telling me that at least he expects me to live another couple of years to get to that. But the bottom line is I feel really good.”
Turner emphasized that his diagnosis has transformed his perspective on life. "From the time I got this diagnosis, it's a privilege to live like you're dying," he remarked. This newfound philosophy has encouraged him to embrace life fully, saying, "I don't turn down anything. I feel like I'm more open to emotions. I'm more open to experiences.”
He also shared that he has started dating again, revealing that he has a new girlfriend who encourages him to take on new adventures. "The person I'm dating will say, ‘Do you want to go do…’ and before she even gets out the rest of her sentence, I will say yes. So I'm in on everything,” he said, adding that this approach makes life exciting as he feels a sense of urgency to live fully.
Turner’s journey through love has seen ups and downs. He was engaged to Theresa Nist at the end of his season on "The Golden Bachelor," and they married in a televised ceremony in January 2024. However, the couple announced their divorce just three months later in April 2024, citing challenges in finding a compromise that worked for both their families.
Despite the end of that chapter, Turner remains hopeful about his current relationship. He informed Nist about his new girlfriend during the "After the Final Rose" episode of the past season of "The Bachelor" in March 2025. He described their conversation as “nice” and mentioned they are on good terms, emphasizing his desire to approach his new relationship with respect and caution. "I'm trying to respectfully get to a point where there's an acceptable time from my divorce," he noted. "Maybe that's an old-fashioned thought -- maybe it doesn't matter as much as I think it does -- but to be respectful, I kind of want to slow roll this.”
Turner’s experience with cancer has not only shaped his outlook on life but also his relationships. He has adopted the philosophy inspired by Tim McGraw's song "Live Like You're Dying," aiming to pack as much joy and fun into his life as possible. "I've gotten used to it. I've gotten to the point where I can be somewhat comfortable with it,” he reflected. “I'm going to pack as much fun as I possibly can into my life and enjoy every moment. And when I'm gone, I'm gone, but I'm not going to have regrets.”
As Turner continues to navigate his diagnosis, he remains committed to maintaining a positive attitude and cherishing every moment. His candid discussions about his health and personal life resonate with many, highlighting the importance of living fully and embracing new experiences, no matter the challenges one faces.
