Gerry Turner's Response to Allegations of Misrepresentation in Restaurateur Career
‘Golden Bachelor’ Gerry Turner responds to allegations surrounding his previous role as a restaurateur, setting the record straight before his anticipated retirement
Gerry Turner ABC/Ben Hider
Gerry Turner has denied the allegations of misrepresenting his career prior to appearing on The Golden Bachelor. At 72 years old, Turner was selected as the first Golden Bachelor with his career status listed as retired. Previously, he had stated that he had experience as a restaurateur and had owned several eateries.
In an interview published on Friday, December 1, Turner told Katie Couric Media that the business he owned was similar to the Cadillac Diner where he and his fiancé Theresa Nist had their first date. He mentioned that he sold burgers, fries, and shakes and that the business was very profitable. After retiring at 55, he found happiness in giving back to the community and doing meaningful work.
The Hollywood Reporter recently released a shocking report, alleging that there are inconsistencies in Turner’s LinkedIn bio. According to the article, Turner sold his Mr. Quick drive-in franchise in Iowa in 1985 before retiring. After that, he reportedly held several sales and management positions in the meat industry, but his LinkedIn profile does not specify an end date for these roles. The article pointed out that the timeline doesn't add up, as Turner would have retired at 55 in 2006. The magazine also questioned how his post-retirement jobs, such as installing hot tubs and various maintenance work, fit into the timeline.
Gerry Turner, discussing 'The Golden Bachelor' with Katie Couric Media, stated, "I didn't work as a handyman for the money. I did it because I knew I was doing something good for people who needed help. There’s just enough truth in [the exposé]. But I have so many positives to think about that I haven’t really given that article a whole lot of thought."
The conclusion of Turner’s Golden Bachelor journey came on Thursday, November 30, as fans witnessed him proposing to Nist and choosing to part ways with fellow finalist Leslie Fhima. During After the Final Rose, Turner and Nist, both widowed, revealed their plans to tie the knot in a live televised ceremony on January 4, 2024.
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The newlyweds will then relocate to Charleston, South Carolina, to start their new life together. (Turner retired to Indiana while Nist is based in New Jersey.)
Turner revealed on Friday that one of the discussions they had in the fantasy suites was incredibly significant. "It was the moment where I felt that destiny was guiding us," he said. "I mentioned my desire to live in the Charleston, South Carolina area for two years with my children, and then Theresa and I had our discussion. To my surprise, I discovered that Theresa's son, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren live just an hour and a half away from Charleston. It was a revelation that made me realize that this could be a good area for compromise. That's why it's the first place we're going to consider when looking for a house."
