What Is Gerry Turner’s Religion? His Untraditional Golden Wedding Officiator

What is Gerry Turner’s religion?

What is Gerry Turner’s religion? Gerry hasn’t confirmed his religion, however, he revealed in an interview with People after The Golden Bachelor Season 1 finale that he and Theresa planned to spend Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem, together with their families. “We’ll have a holiday dinner together with everyone,” Gerry said.

While it’s unclear if Gerry or Theresa are Jewish, Gerry also revealed in an interview with Parade in November 2023 that he and his family also celebrate Christmas. “We generally have Christmas celebration[s] at my youngest daughter Angie’s [home],” he said. “Last year she had four Christmas trees up. Each one of the four Christmas trees had just had a plethora of gifts underneath.”

He continued, “It’s a very joyous time for us—even though we might not see each other as often as we want through the year, Christmas is something where we kind of make it a three-day holiday, at least.”

If Gerry and Theresa are Jewish, they wouldn’t be the first instance of Jewish representation on The Golden Bachelor. Gerry’s Golden Bachelor runner-up, Leslie Fhima, was seen wearing a Star of David necklace throughout Season 1. In one episode, Theresa and Leslie, along with contestants Ellen Goltzer and Susan Noles, were also seen performing water aerobics while singing “Hava Nagila,” a Jewish folk song traditionally sung at celebrations, such as weddings.

Regardless of their religion, Gerry and Theresa did have an untraditional officiator at their wedding. Their wedding was officiated by Susan, who was sent home in Week 5 on The Golden Bachelor. Susan announced that she was officiating Gerry and Theresa’s wedding in an Instagram post in January 2024. “guess the secret is out! I’m officiating THE GOLDEN WEDDING 💒 and I’m just beyond excited!! @goldenbachabc,” she captioned a photo of her, Theresa, and Gerry. Theresa commented, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have you officiate for us, Susan!!! Love you so much for being the wonderful woman you are and for doing this for us!!! We cannot wait!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️.”

Who is Gerry Turner from The Golden Bachelor?

Who is Gerry Turner, The Golden Bachelor 2023? Gerry, the first Golden Bachelor, is a 71-year-old retired restaurant owner, father, and grandfather from Indiana. His Instagram handle is @goldengerryturner. “It’s never too late to fall in love again,” Gerry said on Good Morning America in July 2023, announcing him as the first Golden Bachelor. 

Gerry is a widower. He married his wife and high school sweetheart, Toni, in 1974. They share two daughters, Angie and Jenny, and two granddaughters, Charlee and Payton. (Gerry’s daughters were the ones who encouraged him to apply for The Golden Bachelor.) Gerry and Toni were married for 43 years until her death from an illness in 2017, six weeks after her retirement. “She got robbed,” Gerry told Good Morning America about Toni. “Every day that goes by, that’s the thought I have.”

When asked what Toni would think of him starring on The Golden Bachelor, Gerry told Good Morning America that he believed his late wife would be “rooting” for him. “I have her picture on a dresser in my closet,” he said. “Every morning I give her the nod, ‘So what do you think about this?’ For a while it was like I was having a hard time figuring out if she would be OK. But we always told each other, when one of us goes, we want the other one to be happy.” He continued, “She’s saying, ‘Yeah Gerry, do this.’”

As for what he’s looking for, Gerry told Good Morning America that he wants a partner who matches his personality and loves sports. “I’d love it if I found a partner who was high energy, someone who’s fairly competitive, that they enjoy sports,” he said. “Someone that maybe plays pickleball, someone that maybe plays golf.”

Read Gerry’s Golden Bachelor biography ahead.

“It’s never too late to find love, and Gerry Turner is ready to prove it! ABC announced today that the charming 71-year-old patriarch from Indiana is the network’s first Golden Bachelor, showcasing that love stories, like so many other things, only get better with age. Turner will begin handing out roses when “The Golden Bachelor” premieres this fall.

A retired restaurateur and doting father and grandfather, Gerry [GAIR-ee] Turner lives in his dream house on a beautiful lake in Indiana. He’s often busy hosting barbecues, playing pickleball, cheering on his favorite Chicago sports teams, four-wheeling and spending time with friends and family at restaurants and local haunts.

Always a romantic, Turner married his high school sweetheart, Toni, in 1974. Together, they lived a full and happy life with their two daughters, Angie and Jenny, and later two granddaughters, Charlee and Payton. Sadly, after 43 years together, Toni suddenly fell ill and passed away in 2017.

Six years after Toni’s passing and with the support of his family, Turner is ready to put himself out there and find a love that will stand the test of time in his golden years.”

Who is Theresa Nist from The Golden Bachelor?

Who is Theresa from The Golden Bachelor? Theresa Nist, the first Golden Bachelor winner, is a 70-year-old Financial Services Professional from Shrewsbury, New Jersey.

Read Theresa’s biography for The Golden Bachelor Season 1 ahead:

“Theresa is a gorgeous catch with a huge heart. She is very close with her children and grandchildren, and loves nothing more than seeing them all thrive. Theresa describes herself as optimistic, encouraging, and ready to love again after loss. She hopes to meet a partner who will be her best friend in this next chapter of life and will appreciate all the little moments with her. When she’s not spending time with her family, Theresa enjoys playing board games, gardening, reading romance novels, and hula hooping. Theresa is here for the real deal, and fingers crossed it’s all fireworks when she meets the Golden Bachelor!

Fun Facts:
● Theresa loves to sing … alone in her car.
● Theresa taught herself all about the stock market
● Theresa loves ’70s rock, both soft and hard.”

The Golden Wedding airs on Thursday, January 4, at 8 p.m. on ABC. Here’s how to watch it for free.

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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