Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, the first couple to meet and marry on ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor,” shocked fans on Friday when they announced their plans to divorce, making them the spinoff’s first couple to split.
The couple made the announcement in a joint appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” where Mr. Turner, 72, explained, “Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations, and we’ve looked closely at our situation, our living situation, and we’ve come to the conclusion mutually that it’s probably time for us to dissolve our marriage.”
The news came just three months after their televised wedding, which was attended by several of Mr. Turner’s ex-girlfriends from the season. The couple had been portrayed as evidence that love can still blossom later in life, with Mr. Turner emphasizing that people his age still have hope and vigorous lives.
Despite their dedication to their families, including children and grandchildren from previous marriages, Mr. Turner and Ms. Nist, 70, decided it made the most sense for them to live separately. They had considered homes near family members in South Carolina and New Jersey but were unable to reach a conclusion.
The couple declined to be interviewed for further details on their decision. However, Ms. Nist expressed hope that their divorce would not discourage viewers who had been inspired by their love story. “We say, ‘Don’t give up,'” she said. “We say, ‘Stay in it, stay hopeful, because we are.'”
The split comes as a surprise to fans of “The Golden Bachelor,” which had renewed interest in the “Bachelor” franchise with its focus on older contestants. The show’s success led to the announcement of a female-led spinoff, “The Golden Bachelorette,” set to air in the future.
While some viewers expressed disappointment and skepticism on social media following the news of the couple’s divorce, Mr. Turner and Ms. Nist’s story serves as a reminder that love, like life, can be unpredictable and full of unexpected twists.
