“Golden Bachelor” star Theresa Nist is opening up about her split from husband Gerry Turner after the newlyweds’ shocking divorce announcement last week.
In a lengthy Instagram post Monday, Nist thanked fans and loved ones for their support following the couple’s breakup revelation on “Good Morning America” Friday.
“To everyone who has expressed love, support and kindness to me I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Nist wrote. “It means the world to me that you took the time to reach out to me, whether in person, on the phone, by text or by direct message. You are all so kind to do so.
“For everyone else who is confused and angry and who does not understand, please try to find it in your heart to understand and to try a little kindness. Not just for me but for the world and for everyone you encounter.”
Nist and Turner married on live television in January after appearing on the first season of the ABC reality dating show, which focused on contestants finding love in their elderly years.
“It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, something I never expected to happen at this point in my life and I truly thought it was going to last forever,” Nist continued. “It turns out, even at the age of 70, you don’t know everything.”
Despite the breakup, Nist said she’s taking “so many positives away from this experience,” including her relationships with Turner’s daughters Angie and Jenny and granddaughters Payton and Charlee.
“Sometimes things don’t go the way you planned and that’s okay,” Nist concluded. “I ask you to please stay open to all the experiences, opportunities, and love that may come your way. Keep smiling, keep laughing… I will. I love you all.”
‘The Golden Bachelor’ divorce: Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist announce split
Nist and Turner revealed their short-lived marriage came to an end during an interview on “Good Morning America” April 12.
“Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations, and we’ve looked closely at our situation, our living situation, so forth and — and we’ve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it’s probably time for us to dissolve our marriage,” Turner told Juju Chang on “GMA.”
The former couple noted that deciding where to settle down contributed to their decision to split.
“We have received so much love and support from so many people who watched ‘The Golden Bachelor,’ and I don’t think we can tell you how many people told us that it gave them so much hope,” Nist said. “We want none of that to change for anybody.”
