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Theresa Nist wished ex-husband Gerry Turner handled things differently after learning the former Golden Bachelor felt “trapped” ahead of their marriage.
“It makes me very sad to think that he felt empty and trapped,” Nist, 72, told Us Weekly in an exclusive statement. “I wish he had said something and just ended it. But at least now I understand why he was so hurtful to me so many times. And I will say this. Those in glass houses should not throw stones. I do wish him all the best.”
Turner, 74, writes in his new memoir, The Golden Years (out November 4), that he told second runner-up Faith Martin that he felt “trapped” ahead of his televised wedding ceremony to Nist. When asked why he decided to still go through with the marriage, Turner explained that he “felt like [he] was doing the right thing.”
“I just didn’t feel overjoyed about it,” Turner explained in his Us digital cover story. “So much of the book is about how I felt at certain moments, and that’s only a momentary truth… I had second thoughts, but I don’t think [they] were exaggerated from anyone’s normal second thoughts.”
After exchanging vows in January 2024, the pair announced their plans to divorce on Good Morning America months later.
“Right before Theresa and I went on Good Morning America to announce that divorce, we agreed that we would protect each other, and I don’t feel like that happened,” Turner told Us. “I felt like I was taking the brunt of the situation. And I go, ‘No, wait a minute, that’s not right. It’s 50/50.’”
Turner, who received a bone marrow cancer diagnosis last year, explained that he wanted to share his side of the story in his new memoir to correct some narratives.
“Quite honestly, there were some perceptions that I wanted to put on the right track,” Turner said. “The question was constantly, ‘Why are they getting divorced so quickly?’ And I was, I believe, made out to be a villain.”
When asked whether he is “worried” about Nist reading the book, Turner replied, “I’m not worried; I think she should be worried.”
“We all have goals in life. We all deserve to be happy. So I certainly wish the same to her as I would all of the women and myself, and that she finds her path to her full happiness,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with embracing a career like she does — maybe that’s her source of happiness. And I think that would be wonderful. I just wish I would have known that if that’s the case.”
Following his split from Nist, Turner has since found love again with Lana Sutton. The couple announced their engagement earlier this month.
“For a long, long time, I said, ‘No, that’ll never happen,’” Turner shared of exchanging vows again. “Now that I have someone who makes me so happy, I can’t say no to that anymore.”
The Golden Years hits shelves on November 4.
