Indianapolis, Indiana – After a whirlwind romance and a televised wedding, “The Golden Bachelor” stars Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist have announced their decision to divorce, just three months after tying the knot on national television.
Turner, the first bachelor on ABC’s senior reality dating series, proposed to Nist, a financial services professional from New Jersey, on the show after about three weeks of filming. The finale garnered over six million viewers, with Turner choosing between Nist and another contestant, Leslie Fhima, a fitness instructor from Minnesota.
In an interview on “Good Morning America,” Turner, 72, shared that after many heart-to-heart conversations, they realized that it was time to end their marriage amicably. Turner, who lost his first wife shortly after moving to Hudson, Indiana, in 2017, expressed mutual respect for Nist during the interview.
Despite the split, both Turner and Nist expressed gratitude for the support and love they received from viewers of “The Golden Bachelor.” Nist remarked that she hoped their story would continue to inspire hope for others.
While the couple had grand plans for the future, including Hollywood representation and a partnership with Amazon for a wedding registry, they ultimately decided not to move in together, citing their dedication to their respective families. Turner’s daughters reside in Indianapolis and Illinois, while Nist remains in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.
Contrary to rumors about Turner’s dating history, with allegations from a past girlfriend published anonymously, Nist maintained that the report did not affect their relationship. The couple also shared that they had a prenuptial agreement and encouraged other couples to consider one.
Despite the end of their marriage, the success of “The Golden Bachelor” has led to the development of a female-led spinoff, “The Golden Bachelorette,” as well as plans for a second season. The full interview with Turner and Nist airs on tonight’s episode of “Nightline.”
For more information or inquiries, contact Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter @cherylvjackson.