Look Back on 'Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist's Relationship

The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner and his final pick, Theresa Nist, are going their separate ways. The Bachelor couple announced their intention to "dissolve" their marriage on Good Morning America on April 12, 2024, just three months after they got married in a televised ceremony. "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 host Juju Chang.

Nist added, "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. We want none of that to change for anybody."

Look back on Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist's relationship here, including details from their wedding day and highlights from the first Golden Bachelor season.

In this article:

• The Golden Wedding Details
• Who Won The Golden Bachelor?
• Who is The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner?
• The Cast of The Golden Bachelor

The Golden Wedding Details

Photo: Eric McCandless | Disney

On January 4, 2024, the debut Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner, married Theresa Nist in Palm Springs, California—and the historic occasion aired live on ABC. The star-studded nuptials were attended by 150 guests, including some of the most beloved Bachelor couples. Newlyweds Caelynn and Dean Bell and Kenny Braasch and Mari Pepin were in attendance, along with some of longest longest-married Bach stars, like Trista and Ryan Sutter, Jason and Molly Mesnick, and Desirée and Chris Siegfried. Nearly all of the Golden Bachelor contestants attended as well, including runner-up Leslie Fhima and Susan Noles, who officiated. Former Bachelorette Charity Lawson and Golden Bachelor contestant Kathy Swarts hosted the Golden Carpet, welcoming guests as they arrived at La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Ahead of The Golden Wedding, The Knot caught up with the to-be-weds to chat about what fans could expect from the "elegant and classy" event, which was planned by Mindy Weiss. "To be able to have a [second] wedding is such a gift," Theresa explained. "It's like a fairytale." When asked about the moment he's most looking forward to, Gerry said, "It's going to be when I turn around and see her wedding gown and she begins to walk down the aisle. That's the moment I'm waiting for."

Thinking about the impact of their televised wedding, the couple was united in their hope that viewers would take away a message of hope. "The message throughout the season was heart, hope and humor," Gerry told The Knot. "Those are the three things that I want everybody to continue with from our wedding. Plus, the joy that two people have found each other this late in life." Added Theresa: "There's still hope, no matter how old you are. A lot of people have said to us, 'I'm no longer scared of getting old. I look forward to it now. You're so vibrant and full of life. So, if there's one day left, live it with love. There's hope for everyone."

Bonus: Go behind the scenes of Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist's wedding and see The Golden Wedding photos.

Who Won The Golden Bachelor?

Photo: Disney | John Fleenor

Theresa Nist won the first season of The Golden Bachelor. A front-runner from the start, Theresa had the season's first one-on-one date with Gerry at a California diner. The couple bonded over their similar stories; much like Gerry's wife Toni passed away from an illness, Theresa's husband Billy passed similarly.

Throughout the season, Gerry and Theresa formed a strong bond, as evidenced by their hometown dates where they met each other's families (including grandkids).

The final episode was a rollercoaster of shocking twists. The Golden Bachelor's tumultuous and emotional finale left runner-up Leslie Fhima "blindsided," particularly because Turner said he loved both women multiple times throughout the season. During their breakup, the Bachelor revealed that he had fallen in love with Nist and was planning to propose.

The following day, Gerry Turner popped the question to his final rose recipient…but not without a hint of drama. "When I woke up this morning, it was difficult. I had really mixed feelings... I came to the realization—you're not the right person for me to live with," he said to Nist with a pause, before clarifying, "You're the person that I can't live without." He continued, "Theresa, I love you 1,000 percent. I'm not ever going to stop believing that every day, I choose you."

Photo: Disney/John Fleenor

As is tradition for Bachelor couples, Turner proposed with a dazzling Neil Lane ring. Theresa Nist's engagement ring features a sparkly princess-cut center stone flanked by baguette side stones on a pavé band.

Who is The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner?

Photo: ABC | Brian Bowen Smith

The first Golden Bachelor is Gerry Turner. Gerry (pronounced like Gary!) is a 71-year-old retired restaurateur from Indiana. He lives in his "dream house" on a lake, where he loves "hosting barbecues, playing pickleball, cheering on his favorite Chicago sports teams, four-wheeling and spending time with friends and family at restaurants and local haunts," per his biography on ABC.

Gerry Turner was previously married to his high school sweetheart, Toni, who he wed in 1974. Together, they had two daughters, Angie and Jenny, and two granddaughters, Charlee and Payton. After 43 years together, Gerry Turner's wife sadly passed away from an illness in 2017, just weeks after they moved into their dream lake house.

According to a press relesase, it's thanks to his family that Gerry was ready to embark on a journey for another chance at true love: "Six years after Toni's passing and with the support of his family, Turner is ready to put himself out there and find a love that will stand the test of time in his golden years."

In the show's trailer, Gerry tearfully reflects on his powerful love story with Toni, adding that he isn't aiming to "replace" her. Instead, his daughter Angie notes, "My dad is such a fun guy. He's so personable and lovable, he's so kind and he has so much to give. He just deserves to find that in somebody else."

Gerry concludes, "I hope at the end of it, I'll find the person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with that's going to complete our family."

The Cast of The Golden Bachelor

Photo: ABC | Ricky Middlesworth

Who are the women that vied for the heart of Gerry Turner? The cast of The Golden Bachelor was comprised of 22 women, all over the age of 60. The women who competed on The Golden Bachelor hailed from all over the United States. There was even a familiar face in the cast. If you've been a longtime fan of The Bachelor, you probably recognized 70-year-old Patty, who's the mom of former lead Matt James.

Photo: ABC | Ricky Middlesworth

Here's a complete list of the entire cast of The Golden Bachelor Season One:

• Anna, 61
• April, 65
• Christina, 73
• Edith, 60
• Ellen, 71
• Faith, 60
• Jeanie, 65
• Joan, 60
• Kathy, 70
• Leslie, 64
• Maria, 60
• Marina, 60
• Nancy, 60
• Natascha, 60
• Pamela, 75
• Patty, 70
• Peggy, 69
• Renee, 67
• Sandra, 75
• Susan, 66
• Sylvia, 64
• Theresa, 70