Gerry Turner, 74, a retired restaurateur and former ‘Golden Bachelor’ star, has revealed in his memoir that his marriage to Theresa Nist was a ‘monumental mistake.’ The couple, both widows, had married on live TV in January 2024 but announced their split just three months later.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Turner admitted that the relationship was not what he had hoped for, stating, ‘I do admit that it was a monumental mistake, but it’s always easy to have 20/20 hindsight.’ He expressed regret over how the marriage ended, acknowledging that it hurt both Theresa and his family. Turner attributed the breakdown to a series of small issues that accumulated over time, rather than a single moment of realization.
Turner had previously lost his first wife, Toni, in 2017, and their two daughters had encouraged him to try dating again. Despite his initial reluctance, he joined ‘The Golden Bachelor’ show to find love after his long marriage. His marriage to Nist, who had also experienced heartbreak after her own previous marriage, seemed destined for success. However, Turner noted that the couple’s differing life goals, particularly Nist’s desire to continue working, created a rift.
According to Turner, the couple struggled to find common ground, including disagreements over where to live, how to manage their finances, and even the prenuptial agreement. The prenup, which they had signed before their wedding, became a point of contention, with Turner claiming Nist did not want to live in Indiana, where he resides. These tensions escalated, resulting in the eventual decision to end their marriage.
After the divorce, Turner faced online criticism and even experienced suicidal thoughts. In his memoir, he wrote about feeling ’empty and trapped,’ reflecting on the emotional pain he endured. The situation was compounded by his recent diagnosis of a slow-growing bone marrow cancer, which he revealed in December 2024. Turner admitted that Nist did not check in on him during his health struggles, finding that experience particularly painful.
Despite these challenges, Turner is now looking forward to a new chapter in his life. He recently announced his engagement to Lana Sutton, with whom he has been dating for 15 months. Turner emphasized the importance of resilience, calling his experience a ‘marathon mentality’ where one must endure pain or unhappiness before moving on with life. As he prepares for this new relationship, Turner is hopeful about the future and determined to embrace life with renewed optimism.