Gerry Turner & Theresa Nist Were In Love Despite Break Up (Could They Make It Work in The Future?)

The Golden Bachelor couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist have finalized their divorce, but they truly loved each other, and maybe they can get back together in the future. Gerry, a 72-year-old retired restaurateur from Hudson, Indiana, and Theresa, a 70-year-old financial services professional from Shrewsbury, New Jersey, had an instant connection when they met during The Golden Bachelor. They got engaged at the end of the season, and were married in a live, televised event called the Golden Wedding on January 1, 2024.

However, just three months later, Gerry and Theresa announced that they were getting divorced. The Golden Bachelor season 1 couple couldn't decide where to live because neither one of them wanted to leave their family. Despite the fact that their relationship eventually crumbled, during their divorce announcement, Gerry and Theresa both admitted that they still loved each other and told each other that they did. Perhaps some day they can rekindle their romance.

Gerry Only Had Eyes For Theresa On The Golden Bachelor

Gerry Gave Theresa His First One-On-One Date

During The Golden Bachelor, it was obvious that Theresa had captivated Gerry. They shared a kiss on premiere night, and he later gave her his very first one-on-one date. At the beginning of the date, Gerry was driving a classic car when the headlights went out as he was driving on the California freeway for the first time. Theresa gently put her hand on his arm, which instantly comforted him. He was so moved by this that he even shared this story when he met her family during their hometown date.

During their one-on-one date, Gerry and Theresa bonded over the hope that they could find love again after their spouses, Toni and Billy, had passed away. They understood each other's grief, and they formed a deep connection. Gerry and Theresa even danced with a flash mob to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," which became the theme of their relationship. Although Gerry had strong relationships with some of the other women as well, it was clear that Theresa was the one he'd choose in the end.

Theresa Couldn't Stop Talking About Her Connection With Gerry To The Other Women

Kathy Swarts Told Theresa To "Zip It!"

Theresa was so smitten with Gerry that she overshared about her relationship with him to her fellow Golden Bachelor contestants. Kathy Swarts informed her that she seemed as though she was boasting about her relationship, and created one of Bachelor Nation's greatest catchphrases when she told her to, "Zip it!" However, Theresa's inability to keep quiet about her romance with Gerry proved that they were connecting on a deeper level.

The Other Women Noticed Gerry & Theresa's Strong Connection

Susan Noles & Kathy Swarts Say Gerry & Theresa's Love Was Real

On The Jess Cagle Show, shared on the SiriusXM YouTube channel, Susan Noles and Kathy discussed how strong Theresa and Gerry's relationship really was. Susan said that they watched them fall in love, and that the couple bonded that first night. She declared, "It was real."

"It was so obvious after their initial meeting and then their first one-on-one. You could just feel it."

Kathy shared that she went up to her and Susan's room that night, and she "literally said, 'He's gonna end up with Theresa.'" Kathy added, "It was so obvious after their initial meeting and then their first one-on-one. You could just feel it."

Distance Got In The Way Of Gerry & Theresa's Love Story

Family Comes First For Gerry & Theresa

Because Gerry and Theresa's love was so strong, they got caught up in the moment, and they didn't consider the real world logistics of their relationship. Gerry has two daughters and two granddaughters, while Theresa has a daughter and a son, who have three sons each for a total of six grandsons. In June 2024, she announced that her daughter is expecting another baby.

Gerry didn't want to leave Indiana, especially because of his 92-year-old father, Everett, who's unable to travel due to health reasons. During Theresa's Golden Bachelor hometown visit, her daughter's sons revealed that Theresa is at their house all the time. Theresa and Gerry were going to compromise and move to Charleston, South Carolina, which is where her son lives, but that didn't happen either. However, their unwillingness to leave their families doesn't mean that they didn't love each other.

They Could Get Back Together In The Next Few Years

Anything Is Possible When It Comes To Love

Although Gerry and Theresa are now divorced, it doesn't mean that they can't get back together in the next few years. Maybe a more casual long-distance relationship would work better for them. Even though they couldn't make their marriage work, it's possible that some day they might rekindle their romance because they truly loved each other. During their divorce announcement on Good Morning America, shared via Instagram, both Gerry and Theresa said that they were still open to finding love, and they told each other that they still loved each other, so perhaps some day they'll find their way back to each other.