Theresa Nist is a 71-year-old financial services professional from New Jersey who won Season 1 of The Golden Bachelor. She married Gerry Turner in January 2024 but divorced three months later. Since then, she’s focused on her career, family, and personal growth while maintaining a positive public image.
Who Is Theresa Nist?
Theresa Nist was born on August 4, 1953, making her 71 years old. She’s a financial services professional from Shrewsbury, New Jersey, and gained national recognition after appearing on ABC’s The Golden Bachelor in 2023.
She grew up in a large family with four sisters and two brothers in Shrewsbury. Her parents instilled values of hard work and honesty that shaped her approach to both life and career.
Before reality TV came calling, Theresa built a substantial career in finance. She began her career at age 45, starting by trading her own account successfully. She taught herself about the stock market and worked her way through positions at Datek Online, Stifel Nicolaus, and MetLife Securities.
Theresa holds seven securities licenses (7, 63, 24, 53, 4, and 65) and has over 25 years of experience in the securities industry. She currently works as a senior compliance and operations liaison at TFS Financial Services.
Theresa’s First Marriage and Family Life
Theresa married William “Bill” Nist in 1975, beginning a partnership that would last over four decades. Bill was a retired engineer and inventor who passed away in 2019 after a long battle with cancer. The couple had been married for 42 years.
Theresa met Bill when she was 14 and he was 16. They married when she was 18 and he was 20. During their early years together, Bill was stationed in Berlin during the Vietnam War, and Theresa took her first plane ride to join him there.
Theresa is the mother of two children: son Tommy and daughter Jen Woolston. In October 2024, her daughter Jen welcomed a new baby, August Edward Woolston, making Theresa a grandmother for the seventh time. All seven of her grandchildren are boys.
Family remains Theresa’s top priority. She describes herself as very close to her children and grandchildren, loving nothing more than seeing them thrive. Her social media presence reflects this devotion, featuring frequent posts about time spent with her growing family.
The Golden Bachelor Journey
In 2023, Theresa decided to join ABC’s first Golden Bachelor season. The show featured Gerry Turner, a 72-year-old widower seeking love, and 21 other women over 60.
On the first night, Theresa made a memorable entrance by joking that led Gerry to think she might be naked under her jacket, only to reveal she was wearing a nude-colored dress. The quirky introduction divided audiences but got Gerry’s attention.
Theresa received the first one-on-one date with Gerry, where their connection deepened. Both had lost spouses after long marriages and bonded over their shared experience of widowhood and readiness to find love again.
Theresa got engaged to Gerry in August 2023 during filming, with the engagement airing in November 2023. During the live finale aftershow, the couple shocked viewers by announcing they would marry just over a month later.
The Golden Wedding and Quick Divorce
Theresa and Gerry married on January 4, 2024, in a live ABC special. The televised ceremony featured fellow contestant Susan Noles as officiant and drew millions of viewers hoping to see a happy ending for the couple.
But the fairy tale didn’t last. Just three months after their wedding, Gerry and Theresa announced on Good Morning America in April 2024 that they were getting divorced. They reached a divorce settlement in June 2024.
During their Good Morning America appearance, Gerry explained: “Theresa and I have had several heart-to-heart conversations, and we’ve looked closely at our situation, our living situation. We’ve concluded mutually that it’s probably time for us to dissolve our marriage”.
What Really Caused the Divorce?
The reasons behind the split have been debated and evolved. Multiple factors contributed to the marriage’s collapse.
When initially announcing the split, they cited their living situation as the primary reason. Gerry lived in Indiana while Theresa lived in New Jersey, and neither wanted to be far from their families.
Theresa later revealed that Gerry proposed they split time “six weeks here, six weeks there,” but said “we had never discussed six weeks here, six weeks there” and that “wasn’t what we had agreed upon”. She had wanted to find one home together where the family could visit.
Deeper incompatibilities emerged. According to Bachelor alum Ben Higgins, during a drive from the airport to Gerry’s lake house, Theresa commented on cornfields, suggesting they could be developed into condos and apartments. Gerry responded, “You don’t take land from a farmer”. This exchange highlighted fundamental differences in their worldviews.
Gerry later claimed in his memoir that Theresa’s career was also a factor. He said on the show she told him she was ready to quit her job, but “after the show, she always went back to, ‘Well, I really want to keep working'”.
In December 2024, months after the divorce, Gerry revealed he was diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a type of incurable bone marrow cancer, in March 2024. He told People magazine that after his diagnosis, “the importance of finding the way with Theresa was still there, but it became less of a priority” as he wanted to focus on spending time with his daughters and granddaughters.
However, Theresa disputed this claim on the Almost Famous podcast, stating, “it had nothing to do with it. Nothing. I would have never left my husband over an illness”. She added that Gerry had told her “the doctor said that I’m going to die of old age before this cancer gets to me” and that he downplayed its importance.
Theresa summed up the situation by saying, “You really can’t know somebody in four weeks. I’ll just say that”, suggesting their rushed timeline prevented them from truly understanding each other before marriage.
Life After The Golden Bachelor
Since her divorce, Theresa has thrived personally and professionally. Rather than dwelling on the failed marriage, she’s focused on what matters most to her.
In September 2024, Theresa appeared at a CNBC Women & Wealth event, sharing life lessons based on her experiences. She posted on Instagram that the last time she was at CNBC, she was an intern, making her return to be interviewed particularly meaningful.
CNBC described Theresa as “Senior Compliance & Operations Liaison, World Investments & Reality TV Star,” highlighting both her professional expertise and her new public platform.
She’s also helped her daughter, Jen, with her photo booth business, VW Booth Bus, occasionally serving as an assistant at New Jersey events. These family collaborations keep her close to her children while staying active.
Her social media presence has shifted dramatically post-divorce. Theresa now focuses on sharing quality time with her family, posting pictures from trips, and expressing love for her children and grandchildren.
Theresa has also maintained a friendship with Leslie Fhima, who was Gerry’s runner-up on The Golden Bachelor. In June 2024, she traveled from New Jersey to Minnesota to spend a weekend with Fhima, posting photos and calling her a “dear friend”. Their friendship demonstrates that sisterhood outlasted any rivalry over Gerry.
Her Instagram bio now describes her as a “Proud Nana of 7 Grandsons” who believes in “Graceful aging through natural living”, with over 122,000 followers.
Gerry’s New Relationship
While Theresa has kept her romantic life private, Gerry has moved on publicly. After the divorce, Gerry allegedly dated Christina Kempton, another contestant from The Golden Bachelor season, for about six months. Theresa revealed she was “actually the one who suggested he go out with Christina”.
In October 2024, Gerry announced his engagement to Indiana native Lana Sutton, posting on Instagram: “The Golden Bachelor is OFF the market. I found my perfect match and she said ‘YES'”. The announcement came just 15 months after his divorce from Theresa.
Public Perception and Reputation
The divorce affected Theresa and Gerry’s reputations differently. While Gerry’s reputation suffered, with fans struggling to trust him after events during and after the show, Theresa’s reputation improved.
Rather than being seen solely as Gerry’s bride, viewers began seeing Theresa as an independent person, watching her come into her own after serious heartbreak.
Ahead of his memoir release, Gerry told Us Weekly, “I’m not worried. I think she should be worried. There’s going to be some things there that have not been said or revealed before”. In his book, Gerry wrote about feeling “trapped” the night before their wedding and questioning whether marrying Theresa was “the wrong thing to do”.
When asked about these revelations, Theresa responded: “It makes me very sad to think that he felt empty and trapped. 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”.
Despite the public drama, Theresa has maintained grace and dignity. She told People magazine: “I wish for him a long and healthy, prosperous life, and I hope that he finds his person. I want him to be so happy”.
Theresa’s Career and Financial Success
Theresa’s financial independence has been a key part of her identity. Her estimated net worth is between $500,000 and $1 million, earned through decades in financial services.
Starting her finance career at 45 is particularly inspiring, proving that career changes and success can happen at any age. Her journey from self-taught stock market trader to licensed professional with multiple securities licenses demonstrates her dedication and intelligence.
CNBC noted that women’s wealth is rising globally, yet only 36% of women are investing compared to 63% of men. Theresa’s expertise and willingness to share her knowledge make her a valuable voice in financial education for women.
What’s Next for Theresa?
Theresa has stated she’s not actively looking for another relationship right now, saying, “If it happens, it happens. I’m very at peace with my life. I’m happier now than I have ever been”.
She’s also started writing about her experience, though she hasn’t decided whether to release it publicly or keep it private. This writing may provide closure and help her process the whirlwind year.
Her hobbies keep her grounded. When not working or spending time with family, Theresa enjoys playing board games, gardening, reading romance novels, and hula hooping.
FAQs
How old is Theresa Nist?
Theresa is 71 years old, born on August 4, 1953.
What does Theresa Nist do for a living?
She’s a senior compliance and operations liaison at TFS Financial Services with over 25 years of financial industry experience and seven securities licenses.
How long were Theresa and Gerry married?
They married on January 4, 2024, and announced their divorce in April 2024, making their marriage last just three months.
How many grandchildren does Theresa Nist have?
Theresa has seven grandsons from her two children, Tommy and Jen.
Is Theresa Nist dating anyone?
As of late 2024, Theresa has stated she’s not actively seeking a relationship and is focused on family and career.
Did Gerry’s cancer diagnosis cause the divorce?
Gerry claimed it influenced his decision, but Theresa has denied that this was the reason, stating she would never leave someone over illness.
The Bigger Picture
Theresa Nist’s story goes beyond reality TV drama. She represents a growing demographic of older women building fulfilling lives on their own terms. Her willingness to take a chance on love at 70, her quick recovery from heartbreak, and her focus on what truly matters—family, career, personal growth—make her relatable to many viewers.
The Golden Bachelor franchise revealed how older people actually live now, showing that life in your 70s includes full schedules, established families, and the challenge of integrating a new partner into an already complete life.
Theresa’s journey also highlights an uncomfortable truth about accelerated reality TV romances. As she acknowledged, “We probably should have waited”. The pressure to marry quickly, combined with fundamental incompatibilities that needed more time to surface, created a situation destined to fail.
Yet from that failure, Theresa has emerged stronger. She’s continued her career, deepened family bonds, shared her financial wisdom with other women, and maintained dignity through public scrutiny. She’s proven that a new chapter can begin at any age—and sometimes the best outcome is recognizing what doesn’t work and having the courage to start over.
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