This 'Golden Bachelor' Star Said She 'Tried To Warn' Theresa About Gerry
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The Golden Bachelor's inaugural couple aren't so golden anymore.
During an April 12 appearance on Good Morning America, Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist shared that they had decided to divorce after 100 days of marriage. The couple, who left the series' first season as an engaged couple in the fall, shared the shortest union in Bachelor Nation history, per The Hollywood Reporter.
In the interview, Gerry, 74, said the two "looked closely at our situation, our living situation, so forth and we've kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it's probably time for us to dissolve our marriage."
Theresa, 70, was Gerry's pick during the Golden Bachelor finale, and the two said "I do" in a live ceremony in January. Ahead, everything to know about the couple's divorce, and what, exactly, other former contestants have said about the news.
Long distance was to blame.
Gerry and Theresa were planning on making long-distance work. (He lives in Indiana, while she resides in New Jersey.) But the strained living situation ultimately led to their split, not allegations about their past romantic lives.
"The thing that strikes me the most in our conversations, it's been how dedicated both of us are to our families," Gerry said during their Good Morning America appearance. "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 said that they looked at homes in South Carolina and even considered New Jersey, but after seeing "home after home," they "never got to the point where we made that decision."
Golden Bachelor fan favorite Susan Noles has confirmed this reasoning while responding to a comment on the Golden Hour podcast. "Neither one of them can leave their families," she said.
They also disagreed about her job.
Theresa's work life also played a big part in their divorce. A few weeks before the split was announced, the couple got candid about how it created a clash in their relationship. "I still work, so that’s the hurdle," she said in a March episode of the Dear Shandy podcast.
When becoming a contestant on the Golden Bachelor, Theresa didn't think she'd last very long, so it wouldn't affect her work. "I honestly thought, 'Oh, let me just get through the first night,'" she explained. "And I stayed and I stayed and I stayed, and my employer was so good to me. And before I left, I kind of said, 'Don’t worry, I’m not going to leave you.'"
Meanwhile, Gerry wanted the freedom to travel. "I guess the difficult part is I went on to the show to find my partner, and I’ve been retired for a long time. I wanted fun and adventure. I wanted to go do things," he said. "So that is the crux of it, right now, is when does that start? I think the living arrangement is really secondary to the freedom of being able to go and enjoy life and do."
"That hurdle is still there, and right now, we’re dealing with it," he added. "It’s just something we’re gonna have to find a way around."
Fellow 'Golden Bachelor' contestant April claims she 'tried to warn' Theresa.
Theresa's fellow Golden Bachelor cast member April Kirkwood had something to say about the split, too. On Theresa's April 18 IG post announcing the divorce, April left a comment (which has since been deleted) reading, "I wish you the very best. I truly tried to tell you, but this was your lesson to experience. Much love!"
The harsh message wasn't received well by fans, and April took the time to apologize for her sentiment. "I would like to publicly apologize for my error in judgment,” April added in the comment section, per Cheat Sheet. “I sincerely meant no ill will. I wish all women only peace and power to be their best selves. This was not one for me. Much love and gratitude for understanding. Always, April.”
In another comment, April added that she cares "for all women in the world."
"I want us all to learn from each other and be smart and empowered," she said. "Lessons offer us the opportunity. We’ve all had our hearts broken…what we do with it is entirely up to us! Let’s rock this world, ladies. Theresa can lead the way!”
As more comments flooded in, she responded directly to fans, saying, "I spoke with Theresa. Thank you for calling this to my attention. Poor judgment call on my part."
Maria says she 'dodged a bullet.'
Former Golden Bachelor contestant Maria Trice has also since spoke up about her experience. "I think I dodged a bullet," she told People.
"The interesting part about being at this stage and this age is people have stuff, even if they do their due diligence of finding out as much as they can about everyone, I think other stuff just comes up. Men in particular," she added.
"I hope Theresa is happy," she continued. Bachelor Nation is rooting for you, Theresa!
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