Gerry Turner, the star of ‘The Golden Bachelor,’ secretly dated another contestant, Christina Kempton, after his divorce from Theresa Nist, as revealed during a recent podcast episode. This disclosure adds to the ongoing public narrative of the reality TV couple’s post-show relationships and personal dynamics.
Gerry Turner, a 73-year-old from Indiana, rose to fame as the lead on the first season of ‘The Golden Bachelor’ in late 2023. He chose Theresa Nist, a 72-year-old finance professional from New Jersey, and they married in a televised ceremony in January 2024. However, their marriage ended quickly, with a divorce announced in April 2024 on ‘Good Morning America,’ primarily due to disagreements over living near their respective families in different states.
The revelation about Turner’s secret relationship emerged on August 20, 2025, during an episode of the ‘Bachelor Happy Hour’ podcast. Hosts Susan Noles and Kathy Swarts, both contestants from the show, discussed Turner’s dating history with Nist. Noles claimed that Turner dated Christina Kempton after the divorce, which Nist confirmed, stating she was aware of it and even suggested the match, noting it happened ‘a while ago.’
Christina Kempton, also 73 at the time of the show, is a retired purchasing manager from Sierra Madre, California, who was eliminated in week three of the competition. According to Swarts, Turner and Kempton dated for approximately six months, a detail that came as a surprise to Nist during the podcast conversation.
The context of this dating is intertwined with Turner’s health issues. In December 2024, Turner revealed he had been diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a type of blood cell cancer, and he suggested it played a role in the divorce. However, Nist has consistently denied this, explaining in podcast interviews that the cancer was never a discussed factor in their split and that she would never abandon a partner due to illness, referencing her commitment to her late husband Billy until his death.
This news has a significant impact on the public perception of Turner and the ‘Golden Bachelor’ franchise, fueling media speculation and fan discussions about the authenticity of relationships formed on reality TV. It highlights the ongoing interest in the personal lives of contestants after the show ends and how their stories continue to unfold in the public eye.
Currently, both Turner and Nist have moved on to new relationships. Turner is dating a retired school teacher named Lana in Indiana, as reported by TMZ in April 2025, and Nist is also dating someone new. Nist has expressed happiness for Turner and believes things worked out as they should, indicating no lingering animosity between them.
Looking ahead, this revelation may lead to further media coverage, potential responses from Turner or Kempton, and continued public scrutiny of ‘The Golden Bachelor’ alumni. The franchise remains a topic of entertainment news, with future seasons or spin-offs likely to keep audiences engaged with these personal sagas.