Gerry Turner, star of "The Golden Bachelor", has revealed his bone cancer diagnosis during an emotional interview, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding his short-lived marriage to Theresa Nist.
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Gerry Turner, the first lead of "The Golden Bachelor", has revealed he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer shortly before filing for divorce from Theresa Nist, whom he married after the show.
Turner, shared the news in an interview with People magazine that he is battling Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a rare form of bone marrow cancer.
He found out in March while seeking treatment for a shoulder injury.
“The orthopedic surgeon found unusual blood markers, which led to further tests,” Turner said.
“When I got the diagnosis, it felt like 10 tons of concrete were dropped on me.”
This devastating news came as Turner and Nist were trying to establish their life together.
“We were working hard to figure out where we would live and how we’d make things work,” he said.
However, he admitted that his diagnosis caused a shift in his focus.
“Spending time with my family - my daughters, sons-in-law, and granddaughters - became my top priority,” he added.
Turner and Nist, who married in January after he gave her his final rose on 'The Golden Bachelor', announced their divorce in less than four months of marriage.
At the time, the couple attributed their split to disagreements over where to settle, as Turner lived in Indiana while Nist was based in New Jersey.
However, Turner now hopes his diagnosis will provide clarity. “I hope people will look at things differently and understand the role my health played in our decisions,” he said.
Nist, in a separate interview with People magazine, disputed that the diagnosis significantly influenced their split.
“It wasn’t a factor in ending the relationship,” she said. She cited distance and the fast pace of their romance as the primary challenges.
“Four weeks is a very short time to get to know someone, and there were limited opportunities to spend time one-on-one.”
Turner’s announcement adds to a growing list of public figures who have shared their cancer journeys this year.
Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for "Dawson’s Creek", disclosed his colorectal cancer diagnosis in November and has been raising awareness through his work.
Michael Bublé also disclosed that he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, and Christina Applegate continues her battle with multiple sclerosis and breast cancer.
Turner, who has since become active in cancer-related charities, said the experience has profoundly shaped his outlook.
“When you face something like this, you reassess everything and focus on what truly matters,” he said.
IOL