Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, the couple who found love on the first season of "The Golden Bachelor" last fall and tied the knot in a televised wedding earlier this year, have announced their decision to divorce just three months after exchanging vows. The pair broke the news exclusively on "Good Morning America" on Friday, revealing that their dedication to their respective families and the challenges of finding a shared living situation led to the mutual decision to end their marriage.
"Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations, and we've looked closely at our situation, our living situation, so forth and -- and we've kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it's probably time for us to -- dissolve our marriage," Turner told Juju Chang in the "GMA" interview.
The couple's journey captured the hearts of many viewers who watched "The Golden Bachelor," with Turner proposing to Nist on the season 1 finale that aired on Nov. 30. During interviews following the finale, both Turner and Nist expressed their commitment to making the relationship work, stating they had found their "person."
EXCLUSIVE: "The Golden Bachelor" couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist announce they are getting divorced.
“We’ve looked closely at our situation…and we’ve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it’s probably time for us to dissolve our marriage.” https://t.co/tmeLsD9HqB pic.twitter.com/4rYZw58tGn — Good Morning America (@GMA) April 12, 2024
However, the realities of merging their lives proved challenging. "We looked at homes in South Carolina, we considered New Jersey, and we just looked at homes after home, but we never got to the point where we made that decision," Nist explained.
Despite the decision to divorce, the couple emphasized that their love for each other remains strong. "I still love this person," Turner said, holding Nist's hand during the interview. "There's no doubt in my mind, I still am in love with her. I root for her every day." Nist echoed the sentiment, adding, "Yeah, I still love him."
The couple's wedding, which aired on Jan. 4, was attended by their children and grandchildren. During the ceremony, Turner promised Nist, "I promise to choose you, every day, as the one I love, and never take your heart for granted. I promise to shout the 'I love yous' by day, and whisper them softly at night. I promise to keep you safe. And I promise to make you feel comforted in difficult times and abundantly joyful in great times."
Both Turner and Nist were previously married to their high school sweethearts, each of whom passed away after more than 40 years of marriage. The couple's story resonated with many viewers looking for love later in life, and they want their message to others to be one of hope. "Stay in it, stay hopeful," Nist said, "because we are."
The couple maintained that reports of their dating history and past did not play a role in their decision to divorce. "Gerry had already discussed that with me," Nist said. "He had explained it to me before the report was ever released, so we were good with that."
Although the announcement may seem abrupt, Nist emphasized their desire for transparency, stating, "We didn't want to pretend to anybody." The pair will return their wedding rings, as per the show's rules, but Turner added, "But you know what? We don't have to give back the memories."
Looking ahead, both Turner and Nist said they will continue to search for love. Nist also shared advice for the upcoming Golden Bachelorette, encouraging her to "be authentic, be yourself."
