Theresa Nist, the renowned alum of ‘Golden Bachelor,’ is finding herself in quite the unexpected situation since parting ways with Gerry Turner. Suitors, some half her age, are eagerly vying for her attention.
Nist, at the age of 71, is navigating the dating world post-divorce, and it appears she’s attracting a much younger crowd. In exclusive insights shared with PEOPLE, she disclosed her surprise at finding her Instagram inbox teeming with messages from keen admirers. “I do get approached through Instagram direct messages, but you wouldn’t believe how young these guys are,” Nist shared. “They’re so young that they’re younger than my son!”
This scenario leaves her bewildered, especially when persistently pursued by 33-year-olds. The attention has undeniably added a unique twist to her life after she and Gerry Turner decided to call it quits.
Their relationship, which blossomed on the inaugural season of the ABC show and ultimately led to a televised marriage in January 2024, ended just three months later. The pair announced their split during a joint interview, with the official divorce occurring on the same day Turner disclosed his slow-growing bone marrow cancer diagnosis. While Nist remains sympathetic, she clarified that his health was not a factor in their breakup. “If that was something on his part, maybe, I don’t know. But no, that didn’t factor into ending the relationship,” she explained, citing other reasons like distance and differing expectations.
Reflecting on their marriage, Nist admitted she once believed it would last forever, but emphasized the unpredictability of relationships even at 70. Despite the unexpected attention from younger men, she remains clear-headed about what she desires in a partner. Though she hasn’t gone out on dates since the split, she is selective about her future company, expressing a need for a relationship rooted in passion and intellectual connection.
Nist contemplates the possibility of dating younger men, but with a caveat—they shouldn’t be too young to share her cultural experiences. “To me, age, it doesn’t matter up to a point,” she elaborated, explaining that being with someone significantly younger might create a disconnect in shared life references, like music and movies.
Despite her contemplation of re-entering the dating scene, Nist isn’t convinced marriage is on the cards again. She yearns for a partnership where her counterpart is driven by a passion, something that makes life exhilarating. “Like passion for something you love to do, something that makes you wake up and want to get out of bed in the morning,” she describes her ideal match.
Nist acknowledges that finding love at her age presents unique challenges, even referencing the difficulties young people face in matchmaking. However, she remains optimistic about finding someone with whom she can share genuine understanding and companionship. “It’s to be able to speak on the same level,” she noted, indicating her wish for a deep connection beyond superficial age differences.
While Theresa Nist is not rushing into romance, she’s open to the possibilities the future holds. Her journey post-divorce is one of self-exploration, understanding, and perhaps, finding a partner who lights up her life with shared passion and experiences. As she continues to navigate this unexpected chapter, her story inspires many to seek meaningful connections at any stage of life.
Source: Yahoo
