Gerry Turner, star of The Golden Bachelor, has revealed he has been diagnosed with an incurable form of bone marrow cancer called Waldenström macroglobulinemia.
In an interview with People, Turner shared that the diagnosis deeply affected his decisions, including his breakup with Theresa Nist, whom he married in a live ceremony in January 2024. Turner explained that receiving the diagnosis was like being hit with a heavy weight, and initially, he was in denial.
Waldenström macroglobulinemia is a slow-growing type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which affects white blood cells and builds up in the bone marrow. Turner first sought medical help for a shoulder injury, which led to further tests and his eventual diagnosis.
Turner explained that his relationship with Nist, who lived in New Jersey while he lived in Indiana, was complicated by his diagnosis. As they tried to decide where to live and how to adjust their lives, Turner’s health issues made him prioritize spending time with his family, which impacted his marriage. After their divorce announcement, speculation arose about the cause of the split, but Turner hopes sharing his diagnosis will help people understand the role it played in his decisions.
While Turner said his cancer diagnosis influenced his choices, Nist disagreed, stating that his illness wasn’t a factor in their breakup. She cited distance as a key issue but said there were other reasons for the separation. Nist expressed her well wishes for Turner, acknowledging his difficult situation.
Turner reflected on their journey, calling their time together a cherished memory and wishing things had ended differently. He emphasized that his cancer diagnosis strongly influenced his decisions but hopes that people understand his perspective now.
