Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner Makes Decision on 'Bachelor in Paradise'
Gerry Turner might be turning his Bachelor Nation membership card in. The 72-year-old Golden Bachelor star turned down ABC after they offered him a spot on the upcoming season of Bachelor in Paradise.
Turner revealed the news to TMZ on March 27, sharing that the network asked him to join the cast only three weeks ago. This season will be the first time there is a mix of generations — Gen Z, Millennials and Boomers — on the beaches of Mexico together. He noted that he already dated recently announced Bachelor in Paradise contestant Leslie Fhima, so it didn't really make sense for him to join the cast.
It's also not surprising to hear that the former reality star is done with the series because his marriage to Theresa Nist after the inaugural season resulted in a divorce after only three months.
"You really can't know somebody in four weeks. I'll just say that," Nist said cryptically on the Nov. 5, 2024, episode of the Almost Famous podcast. "I don't wanna say any more than that. The 71-year-old financial professional also hints that their split was "not just the location thing" since they lived in two different states.
In December 2024, Turner divulged that he had been battling Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a slow-growing bone marrow cancer. "Unfortunately, there's no cure for it. So that weighs heavily in every decision I make," he told People. "It was like 10 tons of concrete were just dropped on me. And I was a bit in denial for a while, I didn't want to admit to it."
His desire to spend with his family outweighed starting a life with Nist. "And the importance of finding the way with Theresa was still there, but it became less of a priority," he added.
While Turner is reluctant to return to his reality show contestant roots, he told TMZ that he's not opposed to finding love off-camera. He also is open to making a cameo on Bachelor in Paradise if they need him.
Related: 'Golden Bachelor' Shares Dating Advice for Younger Generations