Golden Bachelor’s Kathy Swarts has opened up about what she learned from Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner’s recent split.
As usual, Golden Bachelor’s Kathy Swarts is all jokes as she opens up about Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist’s decision to divorce.
The pair have decided to divorce after only three months of marriage, citing their unwillingness to move away from their respective families to be together.
During their appearance on Good Morning America, Gerry said: “Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations.”
“We’ve looked closely at our living situations and we’ve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it’s time for us to dissolve our marriage.”
During a recent episode of their Bachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hour podcast, Kathy and co-host Susan Noles discussed the surprising split and called for kindness, although Kathy couldn’t help one quip.
“Gerry and Theresa are struggling, as you can well imagine,” Kathy said during the April 19 episode. “Let’s be positive and just show them grace.”
Kathy and Susan, who served as gold carpet correspondent and officiant, respectively, Gerry and Theresa’s The Golden Wedding in January, further discusses the split and explained why trolls should “zip it.”
Susan shut down rumors that Gerry and Theresa’s relationship was not authentic, saying: “It was real. It was very, very real. And you have to admire that at 70-some years old, when reality hit and they’ve had their discussions, that it wasn’t going to work and they’re not going to waste their time, let’s go our separate ways and be happy, each of us.”
Kathy also revealed a detail that might have played a role in the divorce: “Our season was a truncated season … so everyone had less time to get to know everyone. And, then, you know, they didn’t get to see each other very much. I mean, it was really like speed-dating. And maybe they regret what they did — clearly, it didn’t work out — but let’s just let them live and let live.”
Still, Kathy did learn something from Gerry and Theresa’s breakup.
She joked: “It’s a note to self, Susan: I will never get married in front of 11 million people. Ever.”
So, it doesn’t look like Kathy will helm the first-ever Golden Bachelorette.
Meanwhile, Susan has revealed that she no longer has a perfect track record when it comes to being a wedding officiant.
She said their recent divorce has ended her long streak of marrying couples who did not go on to divorce.
“They ruined my marriage thing. I mean, I had no divorces,” she joked to Us Weekly. “My record was perfect.”
Noles also provided an update on the couple following their announced divorce, saying they are “doing good.”
Gerry and Theresa cited distance as their main issue and the unwillingness to move from their respective states – Gerry in Indiana and Theresa in New Jersey.
Everyone has given their opinions on the divorce but fans have been the most angry, calling the first season of the ABC show a “waste of time.”
Former Bachelor Nation stars have also given their two cents, including Golden Bachelor contestant Maria Trice, who has claimed she “dodged a bullet,” and Faith Martin, who just wants to see the couple happy.
During their appearance on Good Morning America earlier, Gerry said:”Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations.”
“We’ve looked closely at our living situations and we’ve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it’s time for us to dissolve our marriage.”
“The things that strike me the most in our conversations it’s been how dedicated both of us are to our families. So, we look at these situations and I think we just feel like it’s best for the happiness of each of us to live apart,” he explained.
“I still love this person, there’s no doubt in my mind. I root for her every day.”