The Golden Bachelor stars, Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, claim that they ended their marriage over a disagreement about living arrangements, but there's more to the Golden divorce than meets the eye. 72-year-old Gerry and 70-year-old Theresa were a love story for the ages, and, at their ages, love stories are less common than they used to be. The widowers had married their true loves once before and had lost them both to illness. The Bachelor Nation spinoff was instantly a huge hit with audiences, who responded to a story about older people getting a second chance at love later in life.
For many people, Gerry and Theresa came to symbolize hope, and theirs was the kind of happy ending that everyone wanted to believe in. Sadly, The Golden Bachelor season 1 couple announced their divorce less than four short months after their dream wedding aired on national television. They were both gracious about the decision, grateful for the opportunity, and insisted that they still loved each other very much. They cited the fact that they couldn't agree on a place to live as the main driver of the breakup, but there's more to it than that.
How Gerry Met Theresa
Their Golden Bachelor Journey
The first time Gerry met Theresa was the ultimate meet cute, and the moment will go down in history as one of TheBachelor franchise's best limousine entrances of all time. It was night one of the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor, and Gerry was standing outside TheBachelor mansion, engaging in the season ritual of welcoming the women who were hoping to win his love. When it was Theresa's turn, she stepped out of the limousine, holding her coat closed over what appeared to be her naked body.
Gerry held his breath as Theresa teased the coat open to reveal that she was wearing a nude dress. Gerry was instantly charmed by Theresa's beautiful eyes and smile.
From that moment on, Theresa had captured Gerry's interest, and it wouldn't be long before she captured his heart. Theresa was one of Gerry's favorites from day one and throughout The Golden Bachelor season 1, alongside 61-year-old motorcycle enthusiast Faith Martin. After a hometown visit to Faith's rural ranch convinced Gerry that the marriage could never work, he sent Faith home, giving his final two roses to Theresa and 65-year-old dance instructor Leslie Fhima. In the end, he proposed to Theresa, and a heartbroken Leslie was contractually obligated to attend the wedding.
Gerry & Theresa Just Weren't That Into Each Other
The Real Reason They Couldn't Make It Work
Gerry and Theresa's explanation for their divorce rings true, but it's only part of the story. Gerry lived in Indiana near his children and grandchildren, while Theresa lived in New Jersey near her family. It's understandable that, after a lifetime of building a life, they'd be hard-pressed to leave it all behind for someone they met on a reality dating show. On the other hand, if Gerry and Theresa were head over heels in love with one another, they would have found a way to make it work.
The hard truth that nobody wants to admit is that Gerry and Theresa just weren't that into each other, no matter how romantic their story was supposed to be.
This isn't to say that The Golden Bachelor couple didn't care deeply about each other, and they share a bond unlike any other. Though they appeared to love each other, it simply wasn't enough.
The Golden Divorce
It Shouldn't Have Been A Surprise
Though the news of Theresa and Gerry's decision to part ways came as a surprise to many people, it really shouldn't have. Long before their announcement, there were signs of trouble for TheGolden Bachelor couple, with the main red flag being that Gerry and Theresa continued to live apart. While Gerry stayed in his lakeside Indiana home, Theresa continued to live in New Jersey. They were often asked about their unconventional long-distance marriage, but they both insisted that they were simply looking for a new place to live.
Mere weeks before announcing their separation, Gerry and Theresa were spending time with their family, and Gerry posted the proof on Instagram. In hindsight, TheGolden Bachelor couple may have posted those photos directly in response to the questions about their marriage, as opposed to an authentic chronicling of their genuine lives together. The couple did seem to care for one another, and the fact that they were spending time with each other's families proves that they tried to make it work.
Ultimately, neither Gerry nor Theresa were willing to leave behind their separate lives, to start a new life together, because they simply weren't that into each other.
The Golden Bachelor divorce is sad and disappointing on multiple levels. For one thing, it's always sad when a love story ends in a breakup, especially a marriage. Beyond that, Gerry and Theresa came to represent a romantic ideal for audiences. Everyone wants to believe in second chances, especially when it comes to falling in love, and that's what Theresa and Gerry symbolize for many. Their divorce news came as a shock and a profound disappointment, but hopefully, The Golden Bachelorette season 1, with Joan Vassos as the lead, will boast a much happier ending.
Gerry & Theresa Did The Right Thing
They Didn't Drag It On Too Long
Though it could be argued that perhaps four months wasn't enough time to give the marriage a chance, there's also something to be said for ripping the band-aid off quickly. Instead of dragging it along while building social media influencer careers, The Golden Bachelor couple ended things as soon as they realized that the marriage wasn't going to work for them. Since announcing their divorce, they've been the subjects of intense scrutiny, but they should be applauded for taking a risk, even though it didn't result in a lasting marriage.
With Gerry and Theresa both finding themselves single once again, there has been much speculation about their love lives.
Theresa doesn't seem to be dating anyone new since their split, and she has been focused on her family and her gardening. Gerry is a prolific philanthropist who has been staying busy with various fundraisers for causes that he supports. He recently told TMZ that he's been getting plenty of romantic offers from women who've been sliding into Gerry's DMs or even approaching him in person. Potential suitors will have to wait as The Golden Bachelor star says he's not ready to start dating again yet.
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