The Golden Bachelor’s Gerry Turner has taken the lion’s share of the blame for divorcing Theresa Nist, but I think she’s just as responsible for the split as he is. Gerry, a 73-year-old retired restaurateur from Indiana, and Theresa, a 71-year-old day trader from New Jersey, walked into their marriage with high hopes and good intentions. The Bachelor spinoff was a big hit, and the inaugural season ended with Gerry rejecting 21 other women, to give his final rose, and his heart, to Theresa.
Gerry and Theresa were engaged at the end of The Golden Bachelor season 1, and they were married in a nationally televised Golden Wedding a few short weeks later. They rode off into the sunset together, but the marriage didn’t last long. The septuagenarian couple announced their divorce in April, only three months after tying the knot. Since their split, Gerry has taken the brunt of the blame, but I strongly disagree with that sentiment. I’d argue that Theresa is at least equally responsible, if not more so, for the disappointing Golden divorce.
Gerry & Theresa’s Whirlwind Romance
A Second Chance At Love
Gerry and Theresa’s whirlwind romance that played out for the world to see during The Golden Bachelor season 1. ABC announced that Gerry would be the first lead of The Bachelor spinoff in July 2023, and the names of the 22 women chosen to vie for Gerry’s heart were made public soon after. Years before joining the cast of The Golden Bachelor season 1, Gerry had been married to his high school sweetheart, Toni Turner, for 43 years until she passed away in 2017 after a brief illness.
Though Gerry claimed he hadn’t dated since his late wife’s 2017 death, that turned out to be untrue.
Theresa was also a widower, as her husband, William Nist, passed away in 2014 after 42 years of marriage, and she was ready for love again. Theresa was looking for a partner who could be her best friend during the next chapter of her life. Gerry wanted a partner who was high-energy and lived an active lifestyle. They hit it off right away, and Theresa was one of the front-runners throughout the season despite running into minor drama with some of the other women who were competing for Gerry’s heart.
Gerry Was Blamed For The Divorce
Fans Were Firmly On Team Theresa
From the moment Gerry and Theresa announced their split in April, I noticed fans of The Golden Bachelor season 1 took Theresa’s side in the split. Though most people decided to firmly be on Team Theresa, she was just as responsible for the divorce as Gerry was, and it’s not fair to put the blame entirely on him. The bottom line is that Gerry and Theresa got carried away by the vibes, and let themselves be rushed into an ill-advised marriage.
As the saying goes, it takes two to tango, and both Gerry and Theresa did plenty of dancing.
Theresa Should Have Been More Open To Moving
She Knew Where Gerry Lived
Gerry and Theresa cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their divorce. The Golden Bachelor season 1 couple simply couldn’t decide on a place to live. Theresa, who lived in New Jersey, was reluctant to move away from her family, and Gerry, who lived in Indiana, wasn’t eager to leave his family. Though neither of them wanted to move, Theresa agreed to be on the show to be with Gerry, who she knew lived in Indiana.
If Theresa wasn’t willing to leave New Jersey, she should never have agreed to be on The Golden Bachelor .
All Theresa Cares About Is Her Rebrand
She Has Moved On From The Marriage
While Gerry has been busy desperately trying to salvage his good name, Theresa has been focused on her rebrand. Since Theresa and Gerry announced their divorce, The Golden Bachelor season 1 star has stepped back from public life. While many Bachelor Nation stars try to make the most of their newfound fame, Theresa has eschewed the spotlight, and prefers I feel she prefers a quiet private life.
Going through a public divorce was difficult for Theresa, but I think she seemed to be truly happy to be focusing on her family, career, and beautiful garden now.
Though it’s great that Theresa is happy, it’s not fair that Gerry continues to be blamed for their divorce. Theresa is just as responsible as Gerry for the failed marriage, because she knew what she was getting into when she decided to appear on The Golden Bachelor. Since Theresa has forgiven Gerry for the split, it’s time for everyone else to forgive Gerry too.
