Here’s Why You’re So Attracted To Grandzaddy ‘Golden Bachelor’ Gerry Turner, Per Experts
After years of anticipation, The Golden Bachelor, a spinoff of the The Bachelor starring a senior citizen as its romantic lead, took ABC by storm after premiering in September.
And it’s not just the show’s wholesome premise people were psyched about. They have also been absolutely raving about the new star, widower Gerry Turner, eagerly pointing out that the 72-year-old is a total silver fox.
After a full season chock full of sweet moments with this cast of Boomers, you’ve probably noticed that the first ever Golden Bachelor is pretty darn handsome. And not only does he have great hair and pretty eyes, Gerry is also a successful retired restauranteur who lives in a lake house, and a devoted girl dad (he has two grown daughters and two granddaughters). Gerry loves dogs, and digs outdoor adventures…and Bachelor Nation is eating it up. From his cute quips, to his heartfelt “oh wow” remarks, this guy knows the way to a woman’s heart.
The comments from fans on some of his Instagram posts say it all: “Why can’t I find a guy like him??” one person wrote. “I just want to roll him in some SALT! He’s so stinkin’ SWEET!” another commented. But it didn’t stop there. “SO FINE 😩🔥,” and “Wish I could be one of the bachelorettes 😍,” and “I’m over here giggling,” are only a small sampling of responses demonstrating this man’s grandzaddy status.
It’s safe to say Gerry might have more stans than all the former Bachelor leads combined.
So, what does it mean if you find Gerry a total “grandzaddy”? First, let’s point out the obvious: Gerry is a good-looking guy, says Jaime Zuckerman, Ph.D, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in relationships.
“He is attractive,” she says. But if Gerry is significantly older than you are, and you’re still *super* drawn to him, there could be other elements at play beyond looks alone.
Women’s Health tapped four relationship psychologists for their take, and they broke down the science behind your crush.
This grandpa gives off ‘stable’ vibes.
For starters, if you feel like your life is all over the place right now, or if you’ve been through some tumultuous relationships in the past, the level of stability that Gerry seemingly offers can be appealing, Zuckerman says. And you certainly wouldn’t be alone in finding this trait sexy.
“There’s a lot of stigma attached to younger people being attracted to older men, but research shows that people associate older men with more stability and maturity,” Zuckerman says. “Gerry’s successful, he’s motivated, he’s driven, and he’s raised a family.”
Gerry also seems to be comfortable and secure in the finance department, too, which younger women tend to find desirable, says psychologist Karin Anderson, Ph.D., creator and host of the Love & Life podcast. “Sociologically speaking, men derive status from wealth and their ability to provide,” she adds.
In general, people of all ages find success a major bonus when looking for a partner, says Juanita Guerra, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist.
“Being successful suggests that the individual is secure and stable and a hard worker. Gerry’s success in business and in his marriage gives the clear message that he can provide for you and take care of you from the most basic of ways to the more intimate realms,” she explains.
The idea that someone can commit is enticing.
Gerry is a widower, and his love story with his wife has been a big part of his storyline this season. ICYMI, Gerry married his high school sweetheart, Toni, in 1974. The two seemed to have a happy, full life together. But tragically, Toni became sick and died in 2017, just six weeks after she retired.
“She got robbed. Every day that goes by, that’s the thought that I have,” Gary told GMA before the season premiered. “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, Gary. Do this.'”
Okay, first of all, this is just heartbreaking and so sweet. And the fact that Gerry was married for 43 years is definitely a turn-on for some people, says clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula, Ph.D., author of Should I Stay or Should I Go?
“He got married and stayed married for a long time—that shows a capacity for commitment,” Durvasula says. “He honored his vow—til death do us part. He still has loving feelings about his wife, he kept a healthy relationship going for a long time…all of that implies someone who has the chops to make a commitment and stick to it.”
Gerry has proven that he can commit (for keeps!) and that he is ready to do it again, which can be a big green light for women of all ages. Let’s face it, if you’re in the market for a monogamous guy these days, it might feel like this relationship approach is hard to come by.
“A modern dating landscape littered with meaningless hookups and ghosting leaves many women worried that fidelity and marriage may be obsolete,” Anderson says.
Gerry has also made it very clear that he’s a family man. He certainly dotes on his daughters and granddaughters, and he gets along really well with his contestants’ families during Hometowns. “There is also a softness around someone being a grandfather,” Durvasula says. “If someone wants a more domestic dream, then this guy clearly has the capacity to do that.”
