The Golden Bachelor star Theresa Nist's divorce from Gerry Turner was heartbreaking, but I believe that the silver lining is that it brought her closer to her co-stars from the reality dating show. Theresa and Gerry met, fell in love, and got engaged during The Golden Bachelor season 1. They later got married on January 4, 2024, in a live, televised special called The Golden Wedding. However, just three months after they wed, Theresa and Gerry announced that they were getting a divorce.
Throughout The Golden Bachelor season 1, Theresa and Gerry had a very strong connection. They'd both lost their spouses, and they bonded about the hope that they could find love again. They seemed to find it in each other. However, Theresa and Gerry revealed that they were getting divorced because they couldn't decide where to live because neither one of them wanted to leave their family. Even though their breakup was shocking and sad, I believe that Theresa's friendships with the Golden women have grown stronger because of it.
Theresa's Very Close To The Golden Bachelor Runner-Up Leslie Fhima
Theresa Visited Leslie In Minnesota After Her Split From Gerry Turner
After Theresa and Gerry announced their divorce, I was so happy to see that Theresa traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota in June 2024 to visit The Golden Bachelor runner-up Leslie Fhima. In an Instagram post, Theresa shared a carousel of photographs and videos from the trip. In the caption she wrote, "Leslie and I became friends on day one and I am so grateful that has not changed."
Theresa gushed that Leslie, her family, and her friends "all welcomed me with open arms. I felt such love and warmth from everyone that I almost didn’t want to leave." She added, "Leslie could not have been a better hostess. Now I just have to get her to come to New Jersey! Love you Leslie!" In the comments section of the post, Leslie responded, "Love you so!! I can't wait to come to NJ!"
I think that it's so beautiful that Theresa and Leslie remained friends after The Golden Bachelor. They both went through difficult breakups with Gerry, so it's wonderful to see that they've become a support system for each other. While the show always seems to want to pit women against each other, Theresa and Leslie's friendship proves that their bond was strong.
The Golden Bachelor's Gerry Turner quickly changed from a hero to a villain in Bachelor Nation's eyes. However, it's time to give him a break.
Theresa Supports Joan Vassos' As The First-Ever Golden Bachelorette
Theresa & Joan's Friendship Lasted After The Golden Bachelor
I'm also glad to see that Theresa is still great friends with The Golden Bachelorette season 1 lead Joan Vassos. Joan had to leave Gerry's Golden Bachelor season early to deal with a family emergency, but she and Theresa have managed to keep their friendship going. Before she left to film The Golden Bachelorette, Joan shared a video of herself on Instagram packing and getting ready for her journey. Theresa left her sweet well-wishes in the comments section.
Theresa wrote, "Sending you so much love and support as you embark on this amazing journey, my friend. I am so incredibly excited for you!! I’ll be thinking about you and sending you only good thoughts. Now go have the time of your life, Joan!!!" I think it's so loving and thoughtful that, even though Theresa is going through her own heartache, she can be happy for her friend Joan as she embarks on her own journey to find true love.
Theresa & Marina Perera Reunited After The Golden Bachelor
Theresa Met Up With Marina At The Jersey Shore
In an Instagram story posted in June 2024, Theresa shared a photograph of herself and Marina Perera, her Golden Bachelor co-star who had to leave the show early to deal with a family emergency. The photograph's caption read, "I couldn't believe it when Marina called me to say she was in New Jersey, right at the Jersey Shore! With no hesitation I rushed to go meet her. What a fun night it was! Love you, Marina!"I'm so happy for Theresa that she made so many friends during the show who can help her through this difficult time.
Theresa and Gerry's Golden Bachelor relationship might not have lasted, but she found lifelong friends in her co-stars. I'm so glad to see that Theresa is living her best life after The Golden Bachelor, and sharing it with her new friends from the show. Theresa and her fellow Golden Bachelorette women might not have found love with Gerry, but they found something even better in their friendships with each other.
