8 Warning Signs Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist Won't Last (Was Their Marriage a Showmance?)

The Golden Bachelor season one ended with devastating heartbreak, but there were signs along the way that Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist wouldn't last. Hopes were high for the couple as they rode off into the proverbial sunset after the final rose ceremony, but reality always intrudes on even the most compelling love stories. And the union of Gerry, 72, and Theresa, 70, was very convincing.

Gerry, a retired restaurant owner from Indiana, made his public debut when he was announced as THE Bachelor first lead of the spin-off. He was part of history as this was the first unscripted dating show about single seniors. Widows and divorcees from across the country flooded the ABC casting offices with applications to be the next love of Gerry's life.

Among the women hoping to win Gerry's heart The Golden Bachelor the first season was Theresa, a day trader from New Jersey. After a season of group dates, talent shows, pickleball tournaments, and dramatic interludes, Gerry gave his final rose to Theresa. The two tied the knot in a lavish, star-studded wedding just weeks after going public with their relationship. These two seniors found a second chance at love that inspired many people. They were both widowers, so it was a feel-good story. Despite high hopes for a happily ever after, Gerry and Theresa announced their divorce after three months of marriage.

8

Gerry and Theresa live in different states

Long-distance marriage didn't work

When Gerry and Theresa announced their divorce, they cited a lack of decision about a place to live as one of the reasons. Before joining the cast of The Golden Bachelor In the first season, Theresa lived in New Jersey near her daughter and grandchildren, while Gerry lived in Indiana near his family. Since Neither of them wanted to move to the other's home statethey decided to go back and forth between the two.

At one point, they considered moving to North Carolina, where they both had family and friends, but that never happened. Over time, the long-distance marriage wasn't working for Gerry or Theresa, so they called it quits. In hindsight, living so far away from each other was a bad sign of things to come. They both live in homes they love, where they have established fulfilling lives. Neither of them were willing to change their world for someone they met on a reality show.

7

Gerry and Theresa got married after three months

Seduced by a free wedding

Only three months have passed since the moment Gerry and Theresa met during the opening night of The Golden Bachelor Season 1 until the moment they got married The Golden Bachelor wedding special on ABC. People can't we know each other well enough after three monthsespecially in the highly manufactured environment of a reality show.

Theresa recently appeared on Almost Famous podcast where she made a big confession about her decision to get married at the end of The Golden Bachelor season 1. According to Theresa, she and Gerry felt rushed to get married because the network offered to pay for their wedding. She also explained that they simply didn't know each other well enough to get married, implying that they weren't compatible. Still, in a scene posted to YouTube by Bachelor NationTheresa and Gerry walk down the hallway anyway.

6

Gerry and Theresa had no chemistry on the show

Physical and Emotional Distance

Hopes were dashed when Gerry and Theresa announced their divorce after just three months of marriage. THE the ill-advised marriage and subsequent divorce damaged the reputation of the Golden Bachelor mark. Looking back, it seems that Gerry and Theresa never really liked each other. Although they seemed to get along well, they were never very attracted to each other.

Gerry and Theresa seemed more like friends than lovers. Gerry always kept Theresa at a physical and emotional distance. Even the photos in which they pose face to face seem fabricated or even forced. It could be that Gerry and Theresa are exactly the type of people who don't like public displays of affection, but a lack of attraction could also have been a factor.

5

Gerry took care of Leslie

He called her “the one”

Gerry broke many hearts before giving Theresa his last rose, but none as painful as that of 66-year-old Leslie Fima. Leslie, a soft-spoken dance and fitness instructor from Minnesota, I fell deeply in love with Gerry during the showand he seemed to reciprocate her feelings. In fact, Gerry seemed to be much more attracted to Leslie and showed more physical affection towards her.

During Gerry and Leslie's date night, Gerry looked deep into Leslie's eyes during a romantic moment and told her that she was “that one.” Although it seemed like Leslie would certainly be the winner, Gerry realized that Theresa was the one and gave her the final rose. Gerry cared for Leslie, but had stronger feelings for Theresa.

4

The show made Gerry seem like a different person

Gerry was undecided on his choice

Long before joining the cast of The Golden Bachelor In the first season, Gerry was married to Toni Turner for 43 years until she passed away in 2017. Although Gerry maintained that he had been a single and lonely widower since his late wife's untimely death, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Gerry lied about their relationship. According to the story, Gerry started dating again a month after his late wife's death and even had a three-year relationship with a much younger woman who lived with him. To make matters worse, the relationship ended badly when Gerry ended the relationship.

3

Gerry hit on another reality TV star

While engaged to Theresa

To be The Golden Bachelor it opened doors for Gerry, and the retired widower enjoyed walking through them. On top of all the accolades, Gerry's newfound fame has meant he's had the opportunity to rub shoulders with celebrities. While the season was airing, Gerry was invited to Kris Jenner's house to watch an episode with members of the Kardashian family because Kendall Jenner was Gerry's biggest fan. According to Kendall, The Golden Bachelor flirted with Kris during the night. During an exit from a June episode of The KardashiansKendall, 28, confirmed to producers that Gerry had been flirting with her 68-year-old mother.

” Yes, he was commenting on her smile, her eyes and her energy“, Kendall said.”I'm like, I think we should leave, like, I don't know!“

When producers asked Kris about it later, she neither confirmed nor denied the accusation. She laughed and joked about already being in a relationship. It's possible that Gerry was just being nice and Kendall misinterpreted it as flirting. If he was flirting with Kris, this would have been a terrible sign since he was engaged to Theresa at the moment.

2

Gerry and Theresa did not spend Christmas 2023 together

Decorating the hallways in different states

One way to contextualize Gerry and Theresa's relationship is to compare it to Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple's relationship. Joan and Chock got engaged The golden bachelorette season 1 and recently went public with their relationship. Now that they are engaged, they spend holidays together and post family photos on social media.

They are excited to spend their first vacation together and bring their families together. In contrast, Gerry and Theresa spent their first vacation apartwhich should have been a clear sign that they weren't serious about their relationship. While spending the holidays together doesn't guarantee that Joan and Chock will live happily ever after, it's a better sign that the couple wants to be together.

1

Gerry was distracted by fame

Nomination, awards and other accolades

Gerry had the best of intentions when he agreed to be The Golden Bachelor, but he was distracted by fame, which happens to many reality stars. In May, a few weeks before announcing their divorce by Teresa, Gerry took to Instagram to post about his Critics' Choice nomination for “Male Star of the Year.” Gerry posted a screenshot of the nominees with his name circled.

Soon after marrying Theresa, GerryThe Instagram account posted a photo of an Emmy magazine ad that featured a photo of Gerry under the words “MAKE HISTORY.“The first season of The Golden Bachelor received other nominations, including a DGA Nomination for Best Reality Show Debut and AARP Movies For Grownups award for best reality show. The inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor It didn't win an Emmy Award, but the show was still a huge ratings coup for ABC and Gerry.

Sources: Almost Famous Podcast, Bachelor Nation/YouTube, The Hollywood Reporter, Gerry Turner/Instagram, Gerry Turner/Instagram