The Unconventional Journey of Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner: How He Revived the Franchise Against All Odds

The introduction of the first-ever senior Bachelor was a daring TV experiment, but the producers recognized Gerry Turner's potential from the start. The moment Bachelor Nation met the 72-year-old widower, they sensed his genuine intentions and saw his ability to bring authenticity and heartfelt connections to the franchise, instead of relying on recycled storylines.

Turner's presence on the show has been enthusiastically embraced by audiences, leading to it becoming the highest-rated series within the Bachelor franchise since the peak of Matt James' season in 2021. However, it almost didn't come to fruition as Turner initially considered declining the offer, as he reveals to We.

Arriving at the Bachelor Mansion to meet his 22 contestants, Turner faced a significant adjustment. Along with sacrificing personal freedoms, he reflects on the importance of surrendering earlier to the process. Urging others not to delay, he encourages taking the step tonight, emphasizing that it will lead to an easier life.

As Turner settled into the journey, his perspective on what he sought became more refined. Rather than a specific question, he valued their reactions — the spark in their eyes, the sense of connection, and warmth. Initially skeptical about the possibility of falling for multiple individuals simultaneously, he unexpectedly discovered that expressing love to someone came effortlessly.

Gerry Turner ABC/Craig Sjodin

In The Golden Bachelor, Turner's past has received significant attention among fans. After 43 years of marriage, Turner's high school sweetheart, Toni, tragically passed away in 2017.

Throughout the three episodes aired so far, both contestants and viewers at home have shed countless tears. However, true to the nature of The Bachelor, there has also been some tension in the house. In the October 12 episode, Kathy Swarts accused Theresa Nist, who had the first one-on-one date, of bragging about her connection with Turner. Despite the conflict, Turner decided to give roses to both Swarts and Nist, downplaying the issue.

He describes the amount of drama during this season as insignificant. It was nothing compared to what is typically seen on other seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. He believes the main issue was a communication barrier between the individuals involved. As a mediator in his second career, he has no problem stepping in and facilitating conversations to help people reach agreements.

Still to come on this season are the much-anticipated fantasy suites, a longstanding tradition in the Bachelor franchise where the lead and their finalists enjoy private time away from the cameras. Turner reveals that even now, his two daughters and two granddaughters still react with raised eyebrows and whispered conversation when it comes to the overnight dates.

"The truth is, I consistently tried to convey to them that as one grows older, the priorities in a situation like that become more intellectual and emotional, rather than physical. And it turned out to be exactly as I had anticipated," he affirms. "I was content with the outcome. The ability to have off-camera conversations was essential."

So, does he become engaged at the end of the season? Initially, Turner dismissed the notion of proposing with a Neil Lane ring. "While I was dating [prior to the show], I was searching for someone I would spend the rest of my life with, regardless of societal expectations," he explains. "But as I neared the start of the show's process, I began to realize that indeed, I desired marriage. I craved that level of commitment and reciprocity. And so, as I delved into the show, that became my objective."

Turner mentioned that Toni would be thrilled by the positive outcome of his journey. Catch The Golden Bachelor on ABC every Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Get more insights from the Reality Stars of the Year in the latest issue of We, available now.