Gerry Turner, famously known as the Golden Bachelor, has recently shared a deeply personal revelation about his health alongside discussions about his divorce from Theresa Nist. In a candid interview, Turner, 72, disclosed his cancer diagnosis, shedding light on a challenging chapter in his life that coincided with the end of his brief marriage.
From his home in Indiana, Gerry Turner connected with PEOPLE to discuss the details surrounding his divorce from Theresa Nist, 71, a decision that shocked many after their fairytale romance on ABC’s Golden Bachelor. The couple’s journey, which culminated in a televised wedding special in January 2024, took an unexpected turn when they announced their divorce just three months later in April 2024.
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Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist on their wedding day, before their divorce and Turner’s cancer diagnosis.
The distance between Turner’s Indiana residence and Nist’s New Jersey home was initially cited as the primary challenge in their marriage, with neither willing to relocate permanently from their families. However, Turner revealed there was a more significant, underlying factor contributing to their separation.
“There’s a topic that I haven’t wanted to talk about until now,” Turner explained, motivated by his involvement with charities and a desire to clarify the events of early 2024. “As Theresa and I were trying very hard to find our lifestyle and where we were going to live and how we were going to make our life work, I was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer.”
This revelation provides a new perspective on the timeline of events. Gerry Turner’s cancer diagnosis occurred during the crucial period when he and Theresa were navigating the complexities of merging their lives post-Golden Bachelor.
The Discovery of Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia
The health issue began three years prior when Turner sustained a shoulder injury during a pickleball class. Initially, the injury seemed musculoskeletal, but subsequent medical examinations uncovered something far more serious.
“Finally I got around to going [to the doctor] and the orthopedic surgeon said, ‘Yeah Gerry, there’s not much we can do for your shoulder, but there are some unusual blood markers here,'” Turner recounted. This discovery led to referrals to a family doctor and then to an oncologist, ultimately resulting in a diagnosis from a hematology-oncology group in Fort Wayne.
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Gerry Turner, The Golden Bachelor, opens up about his cancer diagnosis.
Gerry Turner’s cancer diagnosis was identified as Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a rare and slow-growing type of “bone marrow cancer.” According to the Mayo Clinic, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of white blood cells, which turn cancerous and accumulate in the bone marrow. This disease is currently considered incurable, a reality that deeply impacted Turner.
“Unfortunately, there’s no cure for it. So that weighs heavily in every decision I make,” he admitted, describing the diagnosis as feeling like “10 tons of concrete were just dropped on me.”
Impact on Marriage and Life Decisions
Turner shared that he initially received news of a “blood disorder” in February, around the time he discussed it with Nist. Further tests, including a bone marrow biopsy, solidified the cancer diagnosis in mid-March. He then informed Theresa about the full extent of his condition.
“Certainly, it was hard for me,” Turner said about telling his then-wife. “But the conversation was brief and I think [she was] a little bit awestruck by the news. So understandable.”
The diagnosis profoundly shifted Turner’s priorities. His focus turned towards his family – his daughters, sons-in-law, and granddaughters. While his relationship with Theresa remained important, it became less central as he grappled with his health.
“I wanted my life to continue on as normal as possible, and that led me to believing that as normal as possible more meant spending time with my family… And the importance of finding the way with Theresa was still there, but it became less of a priority.”
Turner believes his cancer diagnosis significantly influenced both his and Theresa’s decisions regarding their future together, suggesting it played a crucial role in their subsequent divorce. He hopes that by sharing this information, the public will understand that their separation was not a “rash, fast decision” but one made under significant personal circumstances.
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Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner on The Golden Bachelor, their relationship impacted by Turner’s cancer diagnosis.
Embracing Life with Newfound Perspective
Despite the serious diagnosis, Gerry Turner is adopting a resilient and optimistic outlook, inspired by Tim McGraw’s song “Live Like You Were Dying.”
“I’m going to pack as much fun as I possibly can into my life and enjoy every moment. And when I’m gone, I’m gone, but I’m not going to have regrets,” he stated.
Turner also expressed well-wishes for Theresa Nist, hoping she “finds everything she wants to.” He cherishes the “glamour and starstruck, whirlwind time” of their relationship, acknowledging that while he wished for a different outcome, his cancer diagnosis undeniably shaped their path.
Gerry Turner’s openness about his cancer diagnosis provides a deeper understanding of the personal challenges he faced during his brief marriage to Theresa Nist. His decision to share his story highlights his courage and his commitment to living life to the fullest, even in the face of adversity.
