It's been more than a few years since there has been a Bachelor Nation wedding, but that all changes tonight with The Golden Wedding!
Tonight, Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist's love story will get the fairytale ending fans have been longing for as the happy couple says I Do live on ABC in front of family, friends and the millions of Bachelor Nation members watching at home. The two-hour special kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on ABC as Gerry and Theresa walk down the aisle and officially begin their next chapter as newlyweds.
Before the happy couple takes the plunge, let's take a look back at how their journey started on The Golden Bachelor!
The Golden Bachelor premiered on September 28, 2023 and ended November 30, 2023
The debut season of The Golden Bachelor kicked off on Sept. 28, 2023 as Gerry Turner began his journey as ABC's first Golden Bachelor. After years in development, The Golden Bachelor proved to be a smashing success for ABC delivering some of the biggest viewership numbers The Bachelor franchise has seen in years.
The first season was comprised of just nine episodes with The Golden Wedding bringing the season's overall total to ten episodes. After the premiere in late September, ABC aired new episodes every Thursday night, giving fans the chance to witness Gerry's search for love unfold weekly in the show's 1-hour format which was a hit among fans.
At the end, Gerry narrowed his field down from 22 women to two with Theresa Nist and Leslie Fhima making it to the Final 2. Of course, Gerry ultimately chose to get down on one knee and propose to Theresa in the 2-hour season finale which aired on Nov. 30, 2023.
The Golden Bachelor season 1 eliminations came fast and hard
On the first night of the season, Gerry Turner was introduced to 22 women looking for love. The group included women from all walks of life and of varying ages, with the shared goal of finding love in their golden years. Here is a quick recap of the amazing women Gerry met on Night 1:
- April Kirkwood: 65 years old
- Anna Zalk: 61 years old
- Christina Kempton: 73 years old
- Edith Aguirre: 60 years old
- Ellen Goltzer: 71 years old
- Faith Martin: 60 years old
- Jeanie Howard: 65 years old
- Joan Vassos: 60 years old
- Kathy Swarts: 70 years old
- Leslie Fhima 64 years old
- Maria Trice: 60 years old
- Marina Perera: 60 years old
- Nancy Hulkower: 60 years old
- Natascha Hardee: 60 years old
- Pamela Burns: 75 years old
- Patty James: 70 years old
- Peggy Dercole: 69 years old
- Renee Halverson-Wright: 67 years old
- Sandra Mason: 75 years old
- Susan Noles: 66 years old
- Sylvia Robledo: 64 years old
- Theresa Nist: 70 years old
Unlike on the flagship shows, Gerry quickly narrowed down his group of contestants with nearly half of the season's contestants being sent home in the first two episodes of the season. By the end of episode 5, Gerry was already down to his Final 3 with the last eliminations of the season coming in the final episodes.
Can't quite rememeber when each contestant was eliminated? Here's a quick recap of The Golden Bachelor season 1 eliminations:
- Episode 1 Eliminations: Anna, Maria, Pamela, Patty, Sylvia, and Renee.
- Episode 2 Eliminations: Jeanie, Peggy, Marina (Self-Eliminated), and Natasha.
- Episode 3 Eliminations: Christina, Edith, and Joan.
- Episode 4 Eliminations: April, Kathy, and Nancy.
- Episode 5 Eliminations: Ellen, Sandra, and Susan.
- Episode 7 Elimination: Faith.
- Episode 9 Elimination: Leslie.
Gerry Turner broke fans hearts when he eliminated Leslie and Faith
While Theresa fans were happy with Gerry's final choice, Gerry broke the hearts of two amazing women in the final episodes of the season which created a lot of debate on social media.
First, Gerry sent home Faith Martin before overnights in a move that few saw coming. Gerry had told Faith he was falling in love with her during their hometown date and often referred to her as his girl, leading many to believe he would end up with Faith. Instead, he sent Faith home at the Final 3 Rose Ceremony breaking viewers' hearts in the process.
Two weeks later, Gerry had fans in an uproar again when he broke things off with Leslie Fhima after their overnight date. It was clear in the finale that Gerry was not going to choose Leslie and he broke up with her before giving Theresa his final rose. That breakup was the hardest of the season as it was clear Gerry had led Leslie on and she did not hold back in shaming him for giving her false hope before she sent him packing and left the show.
Gerry Turner is 2 years older than Theresa Nist
Gerry and Theresa are incredibly close in age, but Gerry is slightly older than Theresa, two years older to be exact. While there is a two-year age difference between the pair, their birthdays are actually only a few days apart from one another.
Gerry was born on August 7, 1951, while Theresa was born on August 4, 1953, meaning their birthdays are only three days apart from one another. With their birthdays being only days apart, that means the pair both share the same Zodiac sign making them both Leos!
Gerry and Theresa have four kids and eight grandkids total
Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist share more than just their birth month, the pair both have two children! Gerry had two daughters with his late wife, Toni: Jenny and Angie. Meanwhile, Theresa had one son, Tommy, and one daughter, Jenny, with her late husband Billy.
Their blended family also includes a total of right grandchildren! Gerry has two granddaughters, while Theresa has six grandsons.