Who Is Gerry Turner's Ex-Wife? All About Golden Bachelor Winner Theresa Nist

Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist wed in January 2024 and announced their split three months later

Golden Bachelor Gerry and Theresa's cutest quotes
Photo:

Disney/John Fleenor

Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist's love story has come to an end.

The star of The Golden Bachelor and Nist announced their split on April 12, 2024 — just three months after they wed during a live TV event on ABC — and filed for divorce that same day.

"Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations, and we've looked closely at our situation, and we've come to the conclusion mutually that it's probably time for us to dissolve our marriage," Turner said on Good Morning America.

Nist and Turner eventually reached a divorce settlement in June 2024.

Here's everything to know about the first-ever Golden Bachelor winner, Theresa Nist.

She's from New Jersey

Golden Bachelor Gerry and Theresa's cutest quotes
Golden Bachelor Gerry and Theresa Nist.

Disney/John Fleenor

Nist hails from Shrewsberry, New Jersey.

Ahead of the couple's split in April 2024, she and Turner told PEOPLE of their plans to relocate to Charleston, South Carolina.

“One of the things that I think fate played a hand in is the possibility of where we might wind up living,” Turner told PEOPLE. “For the last couple of years, when my family gets together, I've talked about moving to South Carolina, and it's an idea I've toyed with."

When he privately shared that thought with Nist, she told him that her son "lives near Charleston in South Carolina." That conversation made it easy for the couple to decide where they should reside.

“And all of a sudden it's like, there's a big problem that is gone,” Turner said. “The issue of compromising on where to live and how to reconcile families and all of that is, it's no longer an issue.”

She's a financial services professional

While Turner is retired, Nist currently works as a financial services professional. She's employed by TFS Financial Services, Inc., as a senior compliance and operations liaison, according to the wealth management company's website.

"Theresa has over 20 years experience in the Securities Industry and holds seven securities licenses," Nist's bio reads in part. "Theresa began by trading her own account successfully, which gave her a great love of and appreciation for the markets."

She's a grandma of six grandkids

theresa nist' grandkids - Golden Bachelor
Theresa Nist' grandkids.

Theresa Nist/Instagram 

Nist has two children, son Tommy and daughter Jen and she's a grandmother of six: Brandon, Brody, Braxton, Dempsey, Leo and Henry.

Three of Nist's grandchildren appeared on the hometowns episode of The Golden Bachelor, when Turner got to meet the families of the women he was getting to know.

Dempsey, Leo and Henry were asked by Turner what they thought of him dating their "nana."

"She comes over a lot because she's always lonely," one replied. "It would mean a lot to her if you guys get married."

Meanwhile, Turner has two grandchildren of his own. The reality star and his late wife Toni had two daughters together, Angie Warner and Jenny Young; the latter has daughters Charlee and Payton.

Turner told Variety that his daughters and granddaughters were “genuinely excited and thrilled” about his role as The Golden Bachelor.

“My granddaughters have had guests to my house since this all started, and they pick their friends that are big fans of the show,” he said. 

Her engagement ring had a significant meaning

Golden Bachelor Gerry and Theresa's cutest quotes
The Golden Bachelor finale.

Disney/John Fleenor

Turner proposed to Nist with a handcrafted princess cut ring designed by The Bachelor franchise's go-to jeweler, Neil Lane. He told PEOPLE exclusively of its important "symbolism" after the engagement.

“The design, the elegance, it's not simple, but it looks at first very elegantly simple on the top. But then when you hold it to the side you see how complex it gets,” Lane told PEOPLE. "[Turner] remarked that's the way he saw Theresa ... Elegant, I wouldn't say simple, but easy. But then when you get closer, there's such depth. There's such warmth. There's so much in the ring. There's so much in her life. There was so much detail. I think that's what he really was attracted to, the amount of detail and attention.”

She and Turner wed on live TV

THERESA NIST, GERRY TURNER - THE GOLDEN WEDDING

John & Joseph Photography/Disney via Getty

On January 4, 2024, Turner and Nist exchanged vows during a lavish ceremony at the La Quinta Resort and Club in La Quinta, California. Nist, who walked down the aisle with her son, Tom, wore a Badgley Mischka gown.

"I promise to be calm in the storm, to comfort you when you're sad, to laugh with you when you're happy, and to stick with you throughout it all, but most of all, to have fun," she said to Turner at the altar. "I love you with all my heart."

She and Turner announced their split in April 2024

Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner & Theresa Nist

Jim Wright

Three months after tying the knot, Nist and Turner announced their plans to divorce during a joint interview on Good Morning America. The pair hinted that relocating away from their families played a big part in their decision to separate.

"We have received so much love and support from so many people who watch the Golden Bachelor and I don't think we can tell you how many people told us it gave them so much hope," Nist said. "We want none of that to change for anybody."

Turner officially filed for divorce from Nist on April 12, 2024 — the same day their split was announced. In June 2024, the former couple reached a divorce settlement.

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