Leslie’s Health Scare From The Golden Bachelor: Why She Spent Her Birthday In Hospital
The hospital is the last place you want to spend your birthday, but thanks to Leslie’s health scare from The Golden Bachelor, that’s exactly where it put her and she’s issued a warning to her fans on Instagram to not leave a trip to the emergency room as long as she did. The season one runner-up quickly became a fan favorite when vying for Gerry Turner’s heart.
Leslie Fhima, a 65-year-old fitness instructor from Golden Valley, Minnesota, was the runner-up on the first season of The Golden Bachelor, a spin-off of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette featuring single men and women aged 60 and older. Season 1 was led by Turner, a 72-year-old retired restaurateur and widowed father whose wife, Toni Turner, died in 2017 from cardiac arrest. “Some of the casting interviews we got, they were just so touching,” ABC unscripted executive Rob Mill told Variety in 2020 about why the network wanted to create The Golden Bachelor.
“It’s such a different way of doing The Bachelor because these people are just at a totally different place in their lives. There is an interesting thing about people who have hit the other end of the spectrum, who’ve lived their lives, they’ve raised their kids, some have been widowed or divorced and maybe some have never been in love. We thought that would be an interesting dynamic through the Bachelor prism.”
Leslie was one of two finalists in The Golden Bachelor season 1 finale, along with Theresa Nist, a 70-year-old Financial Services Professional. Gerry sent Leslie home and gave his final rose to Theresa during the Final Rose Ceremony, which aired on November 30, 2023. A month later, Leslie’s health scare from The Golden Bachelor was an unfortunate way for her to end the year. And on her birthday, no less.
Leslie’s health scare from The Golden Bachelor
Leslie’s health scare from The Golden Bachelor was an unexpected bowel blockage that led to emergency surgery, according to her Instagram stories. “I know that everyone was just curious to know what I did on my 65th birthday. I spent it in the hospital,” she shared.
“Yes, I had a bowl blockage, severe cramping, came into the ER. It was just something so random. Actually, scar tissue from an appendectomy I had when I was 18 years old.” Then advised fans, “if you have severe stomach issues, don’t wait 12 hours to go to the hospital like I did.” After five days in the hospital, she would be leaving the hospital and returning home to her dog.
So beloved was Leslie that fans are already calling for her to become The Golden Bachelorette. While ABC hasn’t confirmed who the Golden Bachelorette will be—or if there will even be a Golden Bachelorette show—Leslie became the number one choice among Bachelor Nation.
“LESLIE FOR GOLDEN BACHELORETTE,” a user commented on Leslie’s Instagram. Another user wrote, “Heard Leslie will be the next Golden Bachelorette.” One more user commented, “Hoping you’re the Golden Bachelorette. But have to say, Gerry did you and Faith wrong! How dare he profess his love and lead you both on! He’s not the man he appeared to be. That was heartless. Even the 20 year olds on the regular show don’t do that. He messed with your hearts and that is wrong!”
Gerry, for his part, told Entertainment Tonight before The Golden Bachelor Season 1 finale that any of his 22 Golden Bachelor contestants, including Leslie, would be great as the Golden Bachelorette.
“I don’t have a pick, because I believe any one of the 22 women that started this journey with me could do the job,” he said. He continued, “They all have interesting personalities, different attributes that would be strong in a Golden Bachelorette situation. I can’t pick out a favorite.” He added that “you bet your ass” he’ll be watching The Golden Bachelorette if the show happens. “I’m hoping to be involved, not just watching,” he said. “I hope I’m there.”
Host Jesse Palmer told Entertainment Tonight in November 2023 that he’s in support of a Golden Bachelor spin-off with a female lead. “I really hope we do it. I’ve been clamoring for it as well,” he said. “I just love the group of women on Gerry’s season. I can’t single one out specifically. I think there’s a number that would be phenomenal Golden Bachelorettes, and that are very deserving of that opportunity.”
He continued, “I would also love to see a mansion full of 70-something-year-old guys just trying to fix everything around the mansion all day with their hands down their pants. Snoring and falling asleep on the couch during the da. I think it’d be pretty compelling, actually, to watch. I’m on the edge of my seat just like everybody else waiting to find out if this is something that’s going to happen or not.”
Bachelor Nation by Amy Kaufman
To get more of an inside scoop, check out Los Angeles Times writer Amy Kaufman’s book, Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America’s Favorite Guilty Pleasure, for a deep dive into the Bachelor franchise. The book uncovers the secrets of Bachelor Nation, from how much the Bachelor and the Bachelorette are paid to the rules contestants have to follow, that producers don’t want fans to know. It’s a must-read for any Bachelor Nation member.
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