Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist Recall Moment in Fantasy Suite that Transformed Their Relationship

"Golden Bachelor" star Gerry Turner and his fiancée, Theresa Nist, shared their memories of a pivotal night in the Fantasy Suite, revealing how it deepened their connection.

In a candid interview, "Golden Bachelor" star Gerry Turner and his fiancée, Theresa Nist, opened up about a transformative moment in their relationship that occurred during the Fantasy Suite portion of the show.

Turner shared his initial disappointment with the Fantasy Suites, explaining, "If you spend five weeks getting to know women, yet everything you say and do is recorded, you're dying to get to that overnight where you can ask the questions without an audience."

However, their night together proved to be a turning point. Turner revealed, "We had a great conversation. We talked about our lives and our experiences, and I felt like I really got to know her on a deeper level."

Nist echoed his sentiments, adding, "It was the first time we had a chance to connect without any cameras or microphones. It was just the two of us, and it was very special."

Turner also shared his realization that he gets emotional easily, saying, "Each rose ceremony was difficult. It was awful. It was loss." Nist praised his emotional intelligence, saying, "I love how emotionally intelligent you are. I mean, it probably comes with the age as well, but it's so beautiful."

Turner became the first "Golden Bachelor" after losing his wife to an undisclosed illness in 2017. The two had been high school sweethearts and had been married since 1974.

Turner expressed his belief that his late wife would be supportive of his decision to pursue a new relationship. "For a while it was like, I was having a hard time figuring out if she would be okay. But we always told each other when one of us goes, we want the other to be happy. She's up there rooting [for me]. She's saying, 'Yeah, Gerry. Do this.'"

Turner and Nist met Kris and Kendall Jenner while the show was airing, and Kendall witnessed Turner's call log, which revealed his choice of Nist.

The couple married in a televised ceremony but filed for divorce three months later. Turner explained their decision on "Good Morning America," saying, "We've kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it's probably time for us to – dissolve our marriage."

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

Despite their divorce, Turner and Nist expressed gratitude for the experience and the hope that it had inspired others.