SUMMARY
– Theresa is healing after her divorce by spending time with new friends and family.
– Gerry and Theresa’s long-distance relationship led to their split despite their love.
– Theresa is staying positive and busy with hobbies like gardening, practicing gratitude.
The Golden Bachelor stars Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist recently announced their divorce, and Theresa has been focused on healing after the heartbreak. Gerry, the 72-year-old widower and retired restaurateur, dated 22 eligible women in their 60s and 70s during the show’s inaugural season. He hit it off with multiple women during many one-on-one dates, group outings, rose ceremonies, and dramatic interludes, but he gave his final rose to Theresa, a 69-year-old financier. The couple got engaged and wasted no time planning their dream wedding.
Gerry and Theresa’s Golden Bachelor wedding took place just a few weeks later, despite the revelation that Gerry had been in a serious relationship, and he lied to producers about it. The highly anticipated wedding event aired on January 4. It was attended by Bachelor Nation stars, including many of the women Gerry had rejected. Gerry and Theresa represented the hope of finding love later in life, and many people were rooting for them. Sadly, The Golden Bachelor couple announced their split in April, and Theresa has been doing her best to heal from the disappointment.
Theresa Has Been Partying With New Friends
Including A Mystery Man
As part of her healing process, Theresa has been getting out more. In June, Theresa posted Instagram photos of herself at dinner with a couple of friends, including a mystery man. The post has 7.5K likes.
” Part of the caption reads, ” One of the unexpected aspects of being on the show was people recognizing me places, which led to conversations, which actually resulted in new found friendships! “
Though Theresa and the mystery man are seated very close together, he’s wearing what appears to be a wedding ring, so he’s not her date. The photo itself is fantastic, and she looks great in it. She doesn’t look like a woman going through a very public divorce. It’s also possible Theresa is sitting so close to her friend in hopes of making Gerry jealous.
Theresa Spends Time With Her Family
Family First
Despite going through a public breakup, Theresa appears to be doing well and is healing by spending more time with her family. Theresa recently posted Instagram photos of a fun family trip to a quaint little beach town. In the pictures, Theresa posed with her grandchildren, Dempsey and Leo, in front of a lush green wall of plants. Her caption reads, “Greetings from Long Branch, NJ!” She explains that this was the beach her father brought her to as a child. For Theresa, spending time with family was a healthy way to soothe her broken heart.
” Theresa and Gerry fell in love on The Golden Bachelor but couldn’t figure out how to blend their lives. ”
Theresa lived in New Jersey, where she had lived with her late husband, while Gerry lived in his lakeside Indiana dream home that he built with his late wife. Both lived near their children and grandchildren, and neither were willing to move away from their families. Theresa had the added complication of her work to consider. Though Gerry and Theresa tried to see each other regularly, it turned into a long-distance relationship that ultimately ended.
Many people in their 60s and 70s have generally lived full lives and have put down roots, so Gerry and Theresa’s problems didn’t come as a shock. These same issues will likely be a challenge that The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos will face and work through during her upcoming season. It’s hard to imagine that anyone would uproot their entire world to be with someone they dated for a few weeks on a reality show.
Theresa Stays Busy With Hobbies
She’s Got A Green Thumb
In addition to spending time with her family and friends, Theresa has also been diving back into her hobbies, especially gardening. New Jersey is known as The Garden State, and The Golden Bachelor cast member has always enjoyed getting her hands dirty, working in the garden. In April, Theresa posted a carousel of photos of her garden to Instagram. She was clearly blessed with an intensely green thumb, as her garden is beautiful. In one of the photos, she’s gardening with her adorable grandson.
The caption reads, in part, ” Gardening has been a constant source of joy in my life. It feeds my body, mind and soul. “
Theresa goes on to explain that she considers gardening as a meditative. She loves that it’s a good exercise and a great way to get fresh air and sunshine. The post has 13.1K likes.
Theresa Practices Gratitude
She’s Not Bitter
Although the divorce news was disappointing, Theresa didn’t let it make her bitter. After the divorce was revealed, Theresa posted an Instagram note to thank everyone who had checked in on her. The post is a photo of a Dr. Seuss quote that reads, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Though the marriage ended, it was an exciting love story that gave hope to a lot of people. The post garnered 17.8K likes.
The caption reads, in part, “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”
Gerry and Theresa’s love story played out for the world to see during The Golden Bachelor season 1. Years before appearing on the show, Gerry had been married to his high school sweetheart, Toni, for 43 years until she passed away in 2017 after a brief illness. Theresa was also a widower, as her husband passed away several years ago, and she realized that she was ready for love again. Hopefully, Theresa will take her own advice and continue to stay open to falling in love again.
