"Unfortunately, there's no cure for it"— Gerry Turner opens up about his cancer diagnosis amid Theresa Nist's split

Gerry Turner, 72, has revealed new details about his life-changing cancer diagnosis and its impact on his recent split from Theresa Nist. In an exclusive interview with People on December 11, the Golden Bachelor alum shared how his diagnosis with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a rare bone marrow cancer, affected his priorities as a newlywed.

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, as described by the Mayo Clinic, alters white blood cells into cancer cells that accumulate in the bone marrow.

"Unfortunately, there’s no cure for it," Turner shared. "It was like 10 tons of concrete were just dropped on me. I was in denial for a while."

Gerry Turner and Nist, 71, became a fan-favorite couple during the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor in November 2023. The couple's engagement and live televised wedding in January 2024 symbolized a fairy-tale ending. However, the dream was short-lived as they announced their divorce three months later on Good Morning America.

At the time, Turner cited the couple’s inability to agree on a place to live as the primary reason for their separation. Now, Turner is shedding light on another significant factor—his cancer diagnosis.

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Gerry Turner talks about his diagnosis

Gerry Turner revealed that his diagnosis came as a shock in March 2024, stemming from a shoulder injury three years prior. After delaying treatment due to his busy schedule, he finally sought medical advice. Routine bloodwork revealed abnormalities, leading to a series of referrals and ultimately a diagnosis by a hematology-oncology team in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Turner initially hesitated to share his diagnosis, but his involvement with charitable causes inspired him to go public. He noted,

"It probably will clear up a lot of mystery around what happened back in February, March, and April."

Gerry Turner shared the news with Nist in mid-March after undergoing further testing. "Certainly, it was hard for me," he said, recalling her reaction as "understandably awestruck." The diagnosis shifted his focus toward spending time with his family in Indiana, including his two daughters and grandchildren.

"The importance of finding the way with Theresa was still there, but it became less of a priority," he explained.

For Theresa Nist, the revelation was devastating but not unexpected. Speaking from her New Jersey home, where she works as a financial services professional, she recounted,

"He told me though that it was the type of cancer that he would most likely outlive. I know he’ll make it a positive experience."

While Gerry Turner believes the diagnosis influenced their split, Nist stated it wasn’t a deciding factor. Instead, she pointed to their disagreements about where to live. "We planned to move to Charleston, South Carolina," she revealed, but logistical and personal challenges derailed their plans.

Despite their separation, both Turner and Nist reflect on their time together positively. "That glamour and starstruck, whirlwind time was really a cherished memory," Turner shared.

"I’m going to pack as much fun as I possibly can into my life and enjoy every moment," Turner said.

Nist expressed no regrets in the interview with People, published on December 11, 2024,

"Sometimes I just can’t believe I got married and divorced this year. So much happened, both good and bad, but I never like to regret anything."

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Gerry Turner added that his diagnosis has given him a new outlook on life, embracing Tim McGraw’s philosophy that you should live like you were 'dying.'