The Golden Bachelor season 1's Gerry Turner gets an enormous amount of online criticism, but he didn't do anything to deserve all the shade he catches. Before he was cast as The Bachelor spin-off's first romantic lead, Gerry was a 72-year-old retired restaurateur living in Indiana. The widower was married to Toni Turner for 43 years until she passed away in 2017, after having two daughters and two granddaughters. Gerry and Tony had just finished building their dream home on an Indiana lakeside when she fell ill and passed away soon after.
Though fans were initially infatuated with Gerry, the good vibes didn't last. The Golden Bachelor season 1 ended with Gerry marrying 70-year-old Theresa Nist in a lavish Golden wedding, but the marriage would end just three months later. Citing irreconcilable differences, Gerry and Theresa parted ways in April, and fans immediately took Theresa's side in the split. I strongly feel that fans haven't been fair to Gerry, who hasn't done anything wrong.
It Isn't Gerry's Fault
It Takes Two
As the old saying goes, it takes two to tango, and when it comes to what happened between Gerry and Theresa, Theresa was dancing just as much as Gerry. After The Golden Bachelor's wedding, Gerry and Theresa couldn't decide where they'd live. Theresa lived in New Jersey, while Gerry went back to his home in Indiana. The two would fly back and forth to visit each other, but the long-distance marriage wasn't making anyone happy.
The bottom line is that neither Gerry nor Theresa were willing to sacrifice their way of life to make room for each other, and it's unfair to blame Gerry when they're both equally complicit.
Theresa Seems To Be Over The Relationship
And The Fans Should Be Too
Since announcing her split from Gerry, Theresa has moved on from The Golden Bachelor season 1. She has focused on her family and friends and her impressive career as a successful day trader. Though she doesn't seem to have started dating again yet, she appears to have moved on from her ill-advised marriage. The only people who haven't moved on from the Golden divorce are some of the fans who continue to harbor anger towards Gerry.
Fans should respect that if Theresa isn't mad at Gerry, they shouldn't be angry at him either.
Gerry Is Trying To Distance Himself From The Golden Bachelor Now
But It Will Always Define Him
Gerry will never be able to completely move past the fact that he was cast in The Golden Bachelor. The divorce damaged Gerry's already sputtering reputation, and Gerry could never go back to a time before he married Theresa. Though Gerry can't change the mistakes he made during The Golden Bachelor season 1, he can take comfort in knowing time will heal his wounds. One day, fans will finally move on from their anger, and he'll be able to look back on his reality television stint fondly.
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Gerry Turner |
73 years old |
Retired Restaurateur |
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Theresa Nist |
71 years old |
Day Trader |
