Amid ongoing speculation surrounding the breakup of Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, which many attribute to geographical distance and uncertainty regarding their future living arrangements, Gerry has revealed a significant and troubling factor that emerged after their wedding: his cancer diagnosis.

The 72-year-old reality star from Golden Bachelor tied the knot with the 71-year-old winner of his season in January 2024. Just two months later, in March, he received the life-altering news of his cancer diagnosis, leading to their separation just weeks afterward.

Discover more about this deeply personal journey…

“There’s a topic that I haven’t wanted to talk about until now. I think it’s time, also because it probably will clear up a lot of mystery around what happened back in February, March and April,” Gerry disclosed in an interview with People magazine. “As Theresa and I were striving to establish our lifestyle, determine our living situation, and create a fulfilling life together, I received the unfortunate diagnosis of cancer.”

After some unusual blood tests, Gerry learned he was suffering from a type of bone marrow cancer known as Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a condition that significantly impacts overall health and well-being.

He expressed the gravity of his situation, stating, “Unfortunately, there’s no cure for it. So that weighs heavily in every decision I make.” The weight of the diagnosis felt overwhelming, as if “10 tons of concrete were just dropped on me.” Initially, he grappled with denial, struggling to accept the reality of his situation.

Discussing the emotional toll of his diagnosis, he remarked, “Certainly, it was hard for me,” referring to the challenge of sharing this news with Theresa. “But the conversation was brief, and I think she was a little bit awestruck by the news. That reaction is completely understandable.”

This cancer diagnosis prompted Gerry to reassess his life priorities and how he wished to spend his remaining time. “I wanted my life to continue on as normal as possible, and that led me to believe that as normal as possible meant spending quality time with my family, including my two daughters, my two sons-in-law, and my granddaughters. While finding a way forward with Theresa was still important, it became less of a priority,” he explained.

Reflecting on how this diagnosis influenced their relationship, Gerry noted, “When you are confronted with such devastating news, the initial shock fades after a few days or weeks. You begin to regroup and realize what truly matters to you. That realization is crucial for moving forward. I hope that people can now understand how deeply this affected my choices, and likely Theresa’s as well.”

“Hopefully, they’ll view our situation with a different perspective, recognizing that it may not have been a hasty decision as some might have thought. There were significant factors at play that contributed to our breakup,” he added thoughtfully.

In response to Gerry’s diagnosis, Theresa has indicated that distance was not the sole reason for their separation, and she has publicly shared her emotional reaction to his health news.

“That’s devastating news, really. I was extremely upset,” she confessed upon learning about Gerry’s condition. “However, he reassured me that it was the type of cancer he was most likely to outlive.”

Despite this, Theresa clarified that his diagnosis did not influence their breakup. “It wasn’t a factor in the ending of the relationship, at least not for me. Perhaps it was for him, but I can’t say. Distance played a role, but it certainly wasn’t the only reason. That’s really all I will say on the matter,” she stated firmly.

There has been considerable discussion regarding the reasons behind their breakup, and both parties have shared their perspectives.

We wish Gerry all the best as he navigates this challenging journey.