After The Golden Bachelor lead Gerry Turner’s relationship failure, he’s trying to rebrand himself, but his reputation may never recover. Gerry was the pioneering lead of The Golden Bachelor season 1, which showed viewers all the trials and tribulations seniors go through in the dating world. Gerry is a 72-year-old retired restaurateur who now lives in Indiana. The Midwest charmer’s season started filming in August 2023, when he was presented with 22 eligible senior women who wanted to date him. Gerry was married for 42 years to his wife Toni Turner, who died suddenly from a bacterial infection in 2017.
I think Gerry was the perfect lead for the Bachelor Nation spinoff as he was empathetic, honest, and relatable. Gerry took the time to get to know all the women, and when he let any of them go, he did so with grace and respect. Gerry got close to several of The Golden Bacehlor women, but he narrowed down his final three to Faith Martin, Leslie Fhima, and Theresa Nist. He told Faith and Leslie that he loved them during the hometown dates, but ended the season with Leslie and Theresa. Gerry chose Theresa, and the two had a whirlwind marriage in January 2024, only to publicly announce their divorce in April 2024.
Gerry’s Reputation Suffered When He Broke Leslie’s Heart
Gerry Showed He Wasn’t A Good Guy After All
When Gerry brought Leslie and Theresa to the Costa Rica overnight fantasy suite dates, it was clear that Leslie was his frontrunner. Gerry and Leslie’s first date was passionate and intimate, which visibly brought them closer together. During their Costa Rica date, it was clear that Gerry and Leslie were into each other in the same way and shared many commonalities.
Leslie vocalized how many times she had been hurt by men in her life, and she was hopeful and almost sure that Gerry was going to be different.
However, Gerry proved Leslie wrong. Leslie’s overnight date was before Theresa’s, and Gerry left his date with Leslie smitten and confused about walking into his overnight with Theresa. He even apologized to Theresa for being checked out during the day part of their date. Gerry ended up being present with Theresa, and over dinner the pair connected on a deeper level than they had previously over Theresa’s job and life trajectory. Gerry and Theresa’s date caused Gerry to go to Leslie the next morning to blindside her and tell her that he was choosing Theresa.
Leslie was clearly heartbroken and tearfully questioned Gerry about why he told her she was the one (via Bachelor Nation.)
“You made it sound like you chose me. You said things that made me feel like this was going to be it,” she cried. “You led me down a path, and then you took a turn and left me there.”
Gerry breaking Leslie’s heart so abruptly was the first time fans saw him as anything other than a charming and charismatic lead. From there, I know Gerry’s reputation got worse.
Gerry & Theresa’s Divorce Ruined Gerry’s Credibility
Gerry Was Not Serious About Marriage
Fresh from the Leslie breakup, Gerry proposed to Theresa, and the couple had a romantic Costa Rican setting to start the next chapter of their lives. While Theresa and Gerry appeared well-matched and ever-so in love, that wasn’t the case behind the scenes. Gerry and Theresa had their Golden Wedding less than six months after they met on The Golden Bachelor. They had a lavish live televised wedding and honeymooned in Italy at the network’s expense. But I know it’s for certain that they were living a lie.
Gerry said that he took marriage seriously and that Theresa was the woman he couldn’t live without, but I see it’s clear his decision to seek a divorce (via Good Morning America) totally ruined Gerry’s credibility. Gerry gave up so quickly in his marriage to Theresa, and it was a huge red flag for The Golden Bachelor fans as they saw that Gerry wasn’t actually serious about being a committed man to the woman he chose. It also came out that Gerry lied about not dating anyone after his wife, as his ex-girlfriend came forward and patined Gerry in a very negative light.
Gerry Is Claps Back At Critics On Social Media
Gerry Has Not Been Cute Online
Understandably, Gerry has received a lot of criticism online for his failure in his breakup with Leslie and divorce with Theresa. However, instead of taking it on the chin and accepting the weight of his actions, Gerry has pushed back. Gerry is active on social media where his verified page has 151,000 followers, and he leaves the comments turned on in all his posts.
He frequently claps back in the comments at critics admonishing him for his perceived bad character regarding his relationships on the show, and Gerry’s unaccountability has not been cute.
Gerry Is Rebranding Himself Now That He’s Single
Gerry Is Trying To Paint A Good Image
Since Gerry is so active on social media, he has been trying to steer his narrative away from being painted as a bad person. He has put back on his more relatable hat and has been showcasing his soft side. He recently shared that he was on his “Nomad Grandad Tour” and enjoying his time with family while seeing the country. Gerry has designed his Instagram page to be a positive reflection and has not addressed the issues about his behavior and choices that earned him a bad reputation. Gerry is trying to rebrand himself after The Golden Bachelor, but it’s not been landing with fans.
How Can Gerry’s Reputation Recover?
It Might Not Be Possible
Gerry’s reputation can only be saved if he takes accountability for his off-screen lies, disrespectful ending with Leslie, and failed marriage with Theresa. Gerry’s current reputation is in the gutter as he does his good guy tour around social media and as he rubs shoulders with the likes of the Kardashians. It doesn’t seem possible for The Golden Bachelor to get back in the good graces of fans and have them perceive him as the charming and relatable senior they met at the beginning of his run on the show.
