The Golden Bachelorette's Joan Vassos sent Mark Anderson home recently, and I think her loss could be Theresa Nist's gain. The 58-year-old Mark is just more compatible with the 70-year-old Theresa, despite the age difference. Age is nothing but a number, and I'm convinced Mark and Theresa share so much in common. For one thing, they were both contestants on The Bachelor spin-off series, which is something only a few could say. The show broke boundaries as the first unscripted show to center on the love lives of older folks.
Theresa and Joan both made their television debuts during The Golden Bachelor season 1 when they traveled to The Bachelor mansion to compete for 72-year-old Gerry Turner. Joan left the season early and was later cast as The Golden Bachelorette, while Theresa won Gerry's final rose. Gerry and Theresa were quickly married during a televised wedding, but the marriage only lasted three months. With Joan eliminating Mark from The Golden Bachelorette season 1, I think the timing could be right for Mark and Theresa.
Theresa & Mark's Separate Journeys
They Ended Up In The Same Place
Theresa met Gerry during the premiere of The Golden Bachelor season 1 when she stepped out of the limousine, pretending to be naked. She was fully dressed, wearing a skin-colored dress, but the cute moment caught Gerry's eye. The pair got closer throughout the season, and they were married soon after Gerry gave Theresa his final rose. After three months of marriage, Gerry and Theresa announced their divorce, to the disappointment of Bachelor Nation fans. Since their April split, Theresa has continued to be single, as far as I can tell.
Like Theresa, Mark made his television debut on a whole other Bachelor Nation show, when his daughter, 26-year-old Kelsey Anderson, brought 28-year-old Joey Graziadei home during The Bachelor season 28. Mark became an instant fan favorite. When he was announced as a contestant on The Golden Bachelorette season 1, I expected him to swoop in and easily steal Joan's heart. I couldn't have been more wrong. Though Joan seemed to like Mark, there was no chemistry between the two and Joan sent him home before her hometown dates.
Theresa & Mark Are More Compatible
Age Is Nothing But A Number
Despite the 12-year age difference between 58-year-old Mark and 70-year-old Theresa, I think the two Bachelor Nation stars could be happy together. They have so much in common; not only are they both reality TV stars, but they are widowers. Long before joining the cast of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Mark was married to his late wife, Denise Anderson, for 18 years until she passed away in 2018 after a brief battle with cancer.
Mark and Denise had five children together, including Kelsey.
Like Mark, Theresa was also a widower. She was married to her childhood sweetheart, William Nist, for 42 years before he passed away in 2014. Theresa and William had two children and six grandchildren together, though their daughter was pregnant with their seventh grandchild. Mark and Theresa both know what it's like to have loved and lost.
Theresa May Prefer Louisiana To Indiana
Location, Location, Location
When The Golden Bachelor season 1's Gerry and Theresa announced their divorce, they cited distance as the reason for ending their short-lived marriage. Gerry didn't want to leave Indiana and Theresa didn't want to leave New Jersey. My theory is Theresa would be more open to moving to Louisiana, where The Golden Bachelorette's Mark lives. I think she'd be more open to the milder weather, and the fact that New Orleans is nearby.
Are Mark & Theresa Single?
They're Both Available
The most recent episode of The Golden Bachelorette season 1 ended with Joan sending Mark home, in a clip posted to YouTube by Bachelor Nation. They'd gone on what was supposed to be a romantic one-on-one date, but Joan felt something was missing between them. I'd argue it was probably because they had nothing to talk about, other than their shared loss. Mark leaves the show a single man, and since Theresa appears to still be single, the timing is perfect for Mark and Theresa to give it a shot.
The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.