Clayton Echard's Bachelor ending was one of the worst ever, but I think that the aftermath of Gerry Turner's The Golden Bachelor season topped it. Gerry, a 72-year-old retired restaurateur from Hudson, Indiana, got engaged to Theresa Nist, a 70-year-old financial services professional during the finale of The Golden Bachelor. They inspired everyone with their beautiful love story, and gave people hope that they could find love at any age.
After The Golden Bachelor season 1, Gerry and Theresa were married on January 4, 2024, in a live, televised event called the Golden Wedding. However, just three months later, they announced that they were getting a divorce because they couldn't decide where to live because neither one of them wanted to leave their family. I was shocked by this stunning turn of events, and I realized that Gerry's Golden Bachelor ending was even worse than Clayton's Bachelor conclusion, which I didn't think was possible.
Clayton Echard Made So Many Mistakes During The Bachelor Season 26
Clayton & Susan Evans Eventually Broke Up
During The Bachelor season 26, Clayton was heavily criticized for telling all of his final three women--Gabby Windey, Rachel Recchia, and Susie Evans--that he loved them. During Susie's Fantasy Suite date, he confessed to her that he'd been intimate with both Gabby and Rachel on their overnight dates before hers, which greatly upset Susie. Clayton was slammed for becoming angry with her during the conversation. After the Rose Ceremony From Hell, as host Jesse Palmer called it, Clayton broke up with Gabby and Rachel together, instead of separately.
Although Clayton eventually tried to fix things by saying that he loved his final choice, Susie, "the most," the damage was done, and Susie rejected him during the season finale. However, during the "After the Final Rose" episode, I was very surprised when they revealed that they'd gotten back together. Unfortunately, they broke up a few months later, while Gabby and Rachel went on to co-star in The Bachelorette season 19. Clayton made a mess of his Bachelor season, and I think that it was one of the worst in the show's history.
Gerry Turner's Golden Bachelor Aftermath Was A Disaster
Gerry Should've Known Better Than Clayton
Although Clayton's Bachelor ending was one of the worst, Gerry's also disappointed. I was shocked by the exposé in The Hollywood Reporter that alleged that Gerry had lied about his dating history. He was introduced as a widower who hadn't dated since the death of his wife, Toni, six years earlier but, apparently, he'd had a serious girlfriend before the show. In addition, the report accused Gerry of breaking up with that woman because she'd gained weight before his reunion. This scandal tarnished Gerry's golden image greatly.
Like Clayton, Gerry told all three of his final women--Theresa Nist, Leslie Fhima, and Faith Martin--that he loved them. He and Faith even exchanged "I love yous" in front of her family during her hometown date. Leslie was completely blindsided and heartbroken when Gerry got engaged to Theresa instead. Then, Gerry jumped into his marriage with Theresa, only to get divorced just three months later.
Although I understand that people get caught up in the fantasy of the show and sometimes forget about the real world, Gerry is much older and more experienced than previous Bachelor franchise members. At 72 years old, Gerry was 44 years older than 28-year-old Clayton during his season. I think that there was really no excuse for him to make so many mistakes during and after The Golden Bachelor. One of the most appealing things about Gerry in the beginning was that he seemed more mature and sensible than previous leads. However, I guess he couldn't live up to those expectations.
Even Clayton himself has admitted that his Bachelor season was a disaster of epic proportions. I didn't think it could get worse, but The Golden Bachelor aftermath proved me wrong. It was so disappointing to see everything come crashing down with a heartbreaking divorce, after the show ended on such a high note with Gerry and Theresa's engagement. Hopefully, Joan Vassos' Golden Bachelorette season will brighten the "Golden" series' tarnished image.
