In a heartfelt update from the world of reality television, Gerry Turner, the star of the inaugural season of "The Golden Bachelor," has revealed that he is dating someone new nearly a year after his divorce from Theresa Nist. Turner, 73, shared the news during the April 15 episode of the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast, hosted by Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt.
Turner expressed cautious optimism about his new relationship, stating, "I am dating someone. I think at this point it’s going well, but I don’t want to say too much and jinx it." He emphasized the importance of taking things slowly, especially in light of his recent divorce, saying, "I’m trying to respectfully get to a point where there’s an acceptable amount of time from my divorce. Maybe that’s an old-fashioned thought, but to be respectful, I kind of want to slow roll this."
Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, both 71, had a whirlwind romance that began during the filming of "The Golden Bachelor." They got engaged during the show's finale in November 2023 and married in a televised ceremony in January 2024. However, just three months later, they announced their separation, leading to a divorce that was finalized in June 2024.
Reflecting on his past relationship with Nist, Turner noted that they were never on bad terms, stating, "I think from my side of it, my perspective, I withdrew from her. I felt like maybe I was a source of bad feelings and the negativity that came out of the show and so forth." He admitted that he avoided conversations with her, believing it was best to give each other space.
Despite the challenges of his previous marriage, Turner is optimistic about his new partner, who has daughters that he relates to well. He shared, "I think the fun part there is she has daughters that I really relate to, and she relates well to my daughters, Jenny, 50, and Angie, 42. So we’ve been around each other briefly. It’s been fun. It’s been a very enjoyable encounter."
Turner also revealed that his new girlfriend is encouraging him to embrace spontaneity, saying, "The person I’m dating will say, ‘Do you want to go do…’ and before she gets out the rest of the sentence I will say, ‘Yes.’” This newfound enthusiasm for adventure has brought a refreshing change to his life, especially following his diagnosis of incurable bone marrow cancer, which he publicly disclosed in December 2024.
As for the sparks that ignited his new romance, Turner described a powerful connection he felt almost immediately. "It was the look that she gave me. All of a sudden, I was consumed by this look and I had this actual physical feeling. And I pushed it off. I go, ‘No, that was silly, that’s ridiculous.’ But with every encounter, that feeling has instantly come back with her look. And it’s like, ‘Damn, this is pretty awesome,’" he shared.
The candid discussion on the podcast also touched on the challenges of long-distance relationships, which played a significant role in his marriage to Nist. Turner lives in Indiana while Nist resides in New Jersey, a factor he believes complicated their relationship. He stated, "If you eliminate that huge obstacle, I can see no red flags. I still don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t have worked out. But we were also so new to the relationship that we may not have uncovered that layer of the onion that could have been a problem yet."
Turner's journey through love, loss, and newfound hope resonates with many fans, especially as he navigates the complexities of dating later in life. His willingness to share his experiences offers a glimpse into the emotional landscape of a man seeking connection after heartbreak.
As Turner continues to explore this new relationship, he remains focused on the positive aspects of his life. He has found solace in the support of his daughters and the joy of connecting with someone who understands his journey.
In a world where love stories often play out on reality television, Gerry Turner's latest chapter serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to find companionship and happiness. His story encourages others to embrace love, even amidst the trials of life.
Whether this new relationship will blossom into something lasting remains to be seen, but for now, Gerry Turner is savoring the moments of joy and connection that life has to offer.
