Gerry Turner, the star of The Golden Bachelor, is sharing a deeply personal revelation: he has been diagnosed with cancer. The 72-year-old bachelor, who became engaged to Theresa Nist during the show’s finale and married her in a televised ceremony in January 2024, recently revealed that his health diagnosis played a significant role in the couple’s decision to part ways just months after their marriage.
In an interview with People magazine, Turner opened up about the emotional toll of his diagnosis. While he and Nist had been struggling to settle into their new life together, Turner said it was during this time that he learned of his condition. “As Theresa and I were trying very hard to find our lifestyle and where we were going to live, I was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer,” he shared.
Turner’s health journey began three years before The Golden Bachelor aired when he suffered a shoulder injury while teaching a pickleball class. After consulting a doctor for the injury, he was informed about unusual blood markers that eventually led to a referral to an oncologist. Turner was diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a slow-growing form of bone marrow cancer. He shared, “Unfortunately, there’s no cure for it. So that weighs heavily in every decision I make.” His reaction to the diagnosis was initially one of denial, feeling as though “10 tons of concrete” had been dropped on him.
Despite the heavy news, Turner remained optimistic, focusing on the importance of spending time with his family, including his two daughters, two son-in-laws, and granddaughters. He admitted that the diagnosis shifted his priorities, and his relationship with Nist, while still important, became less of a focus. Turner explained, “When you are hit with that kind of news, you regroup and realize what’s important to you.”
This change in perspective, Turner believes, had a significant impact on his marriage and the decision to separate. While many viewers speculated that the split happened quickly, Turner hopes they will understand that the cancer diagnosis was a major factor in the couple’s decision. “Hopefully, they’ll look at things a little bit differently,” he said, adding that it wasn’t as rash as it appeared.
In a separate interview, Nist shared her thoughts on Turner’s diagnosis. She recalled being “extremely upset” upon hearing the news but emphasized Turner’s positivity, noting that he was told his cancer would likely not affect his life expectancy. “He’s a very positive person, and I am too,” she said. “I have every faith that it’s going to work out that way, that it’s going to be the type of cancer that will not affect his life.”
Nist clarified that Turner’s health was not the reason for their split. “Part of it was the distance, but that wasn’t the only part,” she explained. Despite the separation, Nist expressed her good wishes for Turner, stating, “I wish him the best, and I know that good things will come to him.”
Looking ahead, Turner is determined to live life to the fullest. “I’m going to pack as much fun as I possibly can into my life and enjoy every moment,” he said. “And when I’m gone, I’m gone, but I’m not going to have regrets.” He expressed his gratitude for his time with Nist, wishing her nothing but happiness in the future.
