The Golden Bachelor couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist got married in a live, televised Golden Wedding on January 4, 2024, but on April 12, 2024, they announced that they’re getting divorced, leaving a shocked Bachelor Nation wondering why. Gerry, a 72-year-old retired restaurateur from Hudson, Indiana, and Theresa, a 70-year-old financial services professional from Shrewsbury, New Jersey, felt a strong connection when they met premiere night, which happened to be Theresa’s 70th birthday. Their relationship continued to grow until they got engaged during the season finale.

Throughout The Golden Bachelor season 1, Gerry and Theresa’s love was evident. He chose her for the first one-on-one date, during which they bonded about the losses of their spouses. They even danced with a flash mob to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which became the theme of their relationship. When Gerry proposed to Theresa, their love seemed meant-to-be. Their wedding was spectacular and made their commitment to each other official. Why did their marriage fall apart?

The Golden Bachelor’s Gerry Turner & Theresa Nist Couldn’t Figure Out Their Living Arrangements

In an exclusive interview with Good Morning America on April 12, 2024, shared via Instagram, Gerry and Theresa held hands as they announced that they were getting divorced. Before breaking the news, Theresa said, “We have received so much love and support from so many people who watched The Golden Bachelor, and I don’t think we can tell you how many people told us that it gave them so much hope. We want none of that to change for anybody.”

Gerry added, “Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations. And we’ve looked closely at our situation, our living situation and so forth, and we’ve kind of come to the decision mutually that it’s probably time for us to dissolve our marriage.“

Theresa and Gerry then revealed that their inability to decide where to live because of their commitments to their families caused them to decide to divorce. Gerry explained, “The thing that strikes me the most in our conversations … It’s been how dedicated both of us are to our families. So we look at these situations, and I think we just feel like it’s best for the happiness of each of us to live apart.”

Theresa added that the plan was for them to move to South Carolina. She said, “We looked at homes in South Carolina. We considered New Jersey. And we just looked at home after home, but we never got to the point where we made that decision.”

Theresa Insists That Gerry’s Controversy Played No Part In Their Divorce

After The Golden Bachelor wrapped filming, details about Gerry’s past, including a report that the show wasn’t forthcoming about his dating history, came to light. However, Theresa insists that the controversy didn’t play a role in their decision to break up. She said, “Gerry had already discussed that with me. He had explained it to me before the report was ever released. So we were good with that. That didn’t play into it.” In addition, Gerry and Theresa shared that they’d signed a prenuptial agreement, and they highly recommend it to others.

Gerry & Theresa Didn’t Want To Pretend

Although they could’ve kept their breakup private for a longer period of time, Theresa and Gerry didn’t want to hide the fact that they’d split up. Theresa said, “We didn’t want to pretend. We wouldn’t lie to anyone. We can’t do that.” Gerry added, “70 and 72 … pretending is kind of a waste.” Gerry and Theresa both said that they still love each other, and they will stay in each other’s lives because they’re best friends.

While it’s devastating to hear that Gerry and Theresa’s marriage only lasted three months, it’s understandable that their commitments to their own families came first. As an older couple, Gerry and Theresa faced responsibilities to their children and grandchildren, which is an issue that very few Bachelor franchise contestants have had to deal with. Gerry and Theresa shared that they’re both still open to finding love, with Theresa adding that they encourage others to do the same. Gerry and Theresa are wished all the best in the next chapters of their journeys as they’ve been such an inspiration to others.