On November 6, 2023, Gerry Turner, the 72-year-old bachelor from the inaugural season of ABC's The Golden Bachelor, is set to release his highly anticipated memoir titled Golden Years: What I’ve Learned From Love, Loss, and Reality TV. This book chronicles Turner's profound journey following the unexpected death of his wife, which led him to participate in the reality TV show that captured the hearts of audiences nationwide.
Turner’s life took a dramatic turn when his wife of nearly 45 years passed away suddenly in 2017. In 2020, at the encouragement of his two adult daughters, he decided to apply for The Golden Bachelor. However, the casting process was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing filming to commence only in 2023. Fans of the show will remember Turner as a retired restaurateur who ultimately chose to give his golden rose to Theresa Nist, a 70-year-old financial services professional from New Jersey. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage shortly after the finale aired in November 2023, although it ended in divorce just three months later in early 2024.
Despite the ups and downs of his personal life, Turner's season was a significant success for ABC, becoming the most-watched installment of the Bachelor franchise since 2021. Viewers rallied around the portrayal of seniors, particularly older women, navigating the complexities of dating and love. Turner's memoir serves as a deeper exploration of his experiences before, during, and after the show, offering new insights and alternative perspectives on events that transpired on-screen.
Turner's memoir features several revealing passages that shed light on his life experiences. Here are ten of the most illuminating moments from the book:
Turner reflects on the sudden loss of his wife with poignant clarity: “Suddenly, shockingly, out of nowhere, the love of my life, my partner in all things for the last forty-three years, was gone.” He recounts how Toni Turner’s health rapidly declined after they sold their Iowa home and moved to a lakeside town in Indiana. Her death from a kidney infection, just shy of her 65th birthday, left a profound impact on Gerry, who reveals that she had concealed her Type-2 Diabetes diagnosis from him.
Throughout his journey, Turner has encountered moments of unexpected recognition. One memorable encounter at an In-N-Out in Los Angeles emphasized the support he received from the public: “Hey, man, I wanted to wish you luck. You’re representing the men of America in this.” This sentiment of representation resonates throughout his memoir.
Turner discusses his decision-making process in choosing Nist over runner-up Leslie Fhima, citing Fhima's previous divorces as a significant red flag. Despite choosing Nist, Turner maintains a connection with Fhima, highlighting the complexities of relationships formed during the show.
During promotional appearances for The Golden Bachelor, Turner crossed paths with the Kardashians. He humorously notes, “Kris and one of her daughters met me at the front door — if you can call it that — but I don’t know which one of them she was.” This encounter, while amusing, also reveals a more human side of Turner as he connects with Kris Jenner over shared experiences related to aging.
As Turner prepared for marriage, he faced challenges surrounding a prenuptial agreement. Just two days before the wedding, he received alarming news from his lawyer about a missing signature. The strain of a long-distance relationship, compounded by the pressures of reality TV, led Turner to question his decision to marry Nist.
Turner shares a candid moment from his first night with Nist, revealing the emotional distance that began to develop between them. He describes arriving at her home and being surprised not only by its size but also by their lack of physical intimacy, foreshadowing the challenges ahead.
In a moment of vulnerability, Turner recounts the conversation that led to the end of his marriage: “So is it time to just call it quits?” His retelling raises questions about the closure and clarity of their decision to divorce after only three months.
Shortly after his divorce from Nist, Turner faced a new challenge: a diagnosis of a rare form of bone marrow cancer. In his memoir, he reflects on the emotional pain of feeling “insignificant” to someone he had married, highlighting the isolation he experienced in the aftermath of their separation.
Gerry Turner's memoir, Golden Years, promises to be an enlightening read for fans of The Golden Bachelor and those interested in personal stories of love and loss. As he navigates the challenges of fame, relationships, and personal health, Turner offers readers a unique perspective on the realities of life after reality TV.
